Overview

Our aim is for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

In April 2021, the Archbishops' Anti-Racism Task Force will report on their findings and pave the way for a new Racial Justice Commission. This Commission has been asked by both the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York to spend three years scrutinising the activities of the Church of England and to make recommendations for its future ministry.

This new post sits within the public affairs team that supports the Archbishop of Canterbury’s work in the public sphere, across a wide and fascinating range of topics, from his role in Church and state relations, to his witness on issues of social justice. The work is set in the context of Archbishop Justin’s ministry, the three Quinquennium goals of the Church of England, and the five marks of mission of the Anglican Communion. Policy and research on these areas are carried out by the Mission and Public Affairs (MPA) department at Church House, so a crucial aspect of the role is coordination with colleagues in MPA.

Post Introduction

This is a significant opportunity for personal development as the Commission Project Coordinator and Researcher will give support to the Chair of the Racial Justice Commission and the Archbishops’ Adviser on Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns.

This will include administrative oversight, substantive research on key issues, and the opportunity to be involved in the development and outworking of the Commission.

The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. This is a priority for both the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced candidates, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minority Ethnic Backgrounds and disabled people.

A comprehensive and supportive induction programme will be put in place to ensure that you have all the information, access and contacts that you need to learn quickly and excel in this role.

To arrange an informal discussion about the role, please contact Katie Harrison katie.harrison@lambethpalace.org.uk.

This post is offered on a full-time fixed-term contract/secondment expected to last for three years.

You will be based at Lambeth Palace although currently, employees are working remotely due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Interviews will be held remotely, using Zoom on Friday 21st May 2021.

In return we offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.

Role Responsibility

The Role

Responsibilities include:

• Research and information gathering in support of the Commission.
• Organising meetings of the Commission, including booking meeting venues, liaising with members, producing and circulating agendas and supporting papers, taking minutes, dealing with members’ expenses.
• Monitoring public affairs work relating to the Commission (parliamentary, policymaking, civil society).
• Organising study visits and other ways to ensure that the Commission’s work is grounded in the experiences of people directly affected by the issues the Commission is seeking to address.
• Keeping in touch with other parallel initiatives relating to the Commission within the NCIs and externally.
• Collecting and disseminating case studies about what dioceses, churches, and church-linked projects are doing on issues related to the work of the Commission.
• Helping to develop resources and mechanisms to communicate key messages about the Commission, both to a church audience and to the media/ general public e.g. assist with website content, short videos, newsletters, church resources etc.

Other

• The team at Lambeth Palace works closely and collaboratively, providing assistance across portfolio areas at times when extra capacity is needed. As such, an important part of this role will be to support other team areas as required and as capacity allows.
• Maintaining an effective records management system for the work of the Archbishop's Social & Public Affairs Adviser, following the appropriate policies for this area.
• Proactively reviewing the administration of the Archbishop's Social & Public Affairs Adviser portfolio and bring forward systems and processes to enabled increased efficiency and effectiveness.
• All staff working at Lambeth Palace share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture with regard to children and vulnerable adults, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.

The Ideal Candidate

The Requirements

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes:

• An area of social policy expertise, specifically racial justice.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex matters succinctly and accurately.
• Intellectual ability to work on a wide-ranging portfolio with understanding, keeping a close eye on many competing concerns.
• Strong research skills, including the ability to assimilate, understand and retain information at speed, from written and oral sources.
• Able to work quickly and efficiently, prioritising multiple tasks and meeting deadlines.
• Well-developed interpersonal and advocacy skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and diplomacy.
• Ability to manage own time and work independently using initiative.
• Advanced general IT capability/attitude including the Microsoft Office Package.

Knowledge/ Experience:

• Demonstrate experience working in a public policy, public affairs or campaigning environment.
• Demonstrate achievement in delivering public policy projects.
• Experience of drafting policy briefs, background papers and occasional speeches.
• Knowledge of and interest in issues and trends in domestic and international politics.

Education:

• Educated to a degree level or equivalent experience, ideally in a relevant subject (e.g. politics, social policy, theology, religious studies).

Personal Attributes:

• Well-organised and clear thinking; able to respond swiftly to a challenge.
• Able to work without direct supervision to high standards and to be a collaborative team member.
• Ability to work with people at all levels.
• Flexible and adaptable.
• Sensitive and diplomatic.
• Having personal sympathy with the ministry of the Archbishop and his priorities, and an understanding that the purpose of working for the Archbishop in this role is to serve the Kingdom of God.

Circumstances:

• Whilst the NCIs are committed to wellbeing and work/life balance, a willingness and availability to work outside normal office hours including weekends is required on occasion, as well as travel within England and overseas. This time is able to be claimed back as TOIL.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the life and structures of the Church of England.
• Experience of working in or with Westminster/ Whitehall.

About Us

We in the National Church Institutions support the mission and ministries of the Church all over England. We work with parishes, dioceses (regional offices), schools, other ministries and our partners at a national and international level.

Excellence, Respect, Integrity

We follow these three values in everything we do, whether we are of Christian faith, another faith or no faith. To learn more about working for National Church Institutions and our benefits, please click here

As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.

As a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, we welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and to ensuring that everyone, job applicants, customers and other people with whom we deal, are treated fairly and not subject to discrimination.  We will do whatever is necessary to provide genuine equality of opportunity. We continuously review our policies and processes to support our aim to create a workforce as diverse as the nation the Church of England serves..

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