Overview

We Include. You Belong.

Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims 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.

The National Church Institutions (NCIs) are national administrative bodies that work together to support the mission and ministry of the Church of England. Their activities are hugely varied, ranging from management of a multi-billion-pound investment fund, to a grant-giving charity, a housing service for retired clergy and the administration of four multi-employer pension schemes.

The Racial Justice Unit (RLU) is a new directorate established to support the implementation of From Lament to Action (FLTA). This role is to ensure that capacity building and training on racial justice can be realised across the Church.

Post Introduction

The role of Learning and Development Specialist - Racial Justice Unit will require someone with experience of designing and implementing a capacity building and training programme to advise on and direct the best way to develop, create and implement a learning strategy that is tailored to the needs of the Church of England’s commitment to racial justice.

The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minority Ethnic Backgrounds and other under-represented groups.

A Basic DBS check will be required.

This post is offered on a fixed term contract expected to last for 2 years.

Closing date for applications: 3 December 2023.

Interviews are expected to be held w/c 11 December 2023.

Role Responsibility

The main responsibilities for this role are:

Professional Responsibilities:

• Advise RJU Directors on the best ways to develop, create and implement a learning strategy that is tailored to the needs of the Church of England’s commitment to racial justice.
• Co-ordinating, collating, and developing learning pathways and materials relevant to the needs of the different Church bodies and roles – in the context of racial juice sensitivities and learning programme development.
• Contribute to the design and development of comprehensive training materials, including presentations, handouts, case studies, and interactive activities, to effectively deliver race awareness, unconscious bias, and anti-racism training.
• Utilise adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies to create engaging and impactful training experiences.
• Ensure training programs are culturally sensitive, inclusive, and accessible to diverse audiences.
• Develop and manage external and internal relationships to design, develop and deliver training programmes utilising blended learning approaches, including face-to-face training, virtual sessions, e-learning modules, and other innovative methods.
• Working alongside RJU Directors (Director and Deputy Director) to ensure that developed programmes always encompass and represent NCI's core values of excellence, collaboration, integrity, compassion and respect for others.
• Seeking to receive regular feedback on the programme's content and delivery from participants, stakeholders and RJU Directors - ensuring that areas for improvement are addressed swiftly through design or facilitator’s knowledge.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and subject matter experts to create relevant, engaging and impactful learning content.
• Responsible for delivering content of the programmes across the National Church Institutions and 42 dioceses Diocese: our regional presence at various levels to different groups.
• Lead on developing sustainability through a local training of trainers’ programme so that dioceses can deliver additional capacity building as needed.
• Working with the Deputy Director of RJU on the commission of independent trainers (including procurement, contracting and review) for specialist areas and specialist learning modules/materials.
• Provide advice and support to diocesan Racial Justice trainers as and when needed
• Where appropriate, seeking and securing external accreditation for Racial Justice Unit-developed programmes, escalating to senior leaders for signoffs as and when needed.

Develop and implement training programs:

• Conduct train-the-trainer sessions to equip local trainers with the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver the training effectively.
• Offer ongoing support and consultation to dioceses, addressing any challenges or questions during the implementation process.
• Develop and implement evaluation strategies to assess the effectiveness of the training programs and identify areas for improvement.
• Monitor the progress and impact of the training initiatives, collecting and analysing data to measure outcomes and make data-driven recommendations.
• Conduct regular training sessions to ensure continuous professional development and knowledge enhancement for trainers and facilitators.

Development, Research and Collaboration

• Work alongside department directors and budget holders to develop and review the Racial Justice Unit strategic “Learning and Development Framework”, including: 
• learning needs analysis
• consultation
• approvals
• consideration for budget planning and monitoring alongside RJU directors
• Collaborating effectively with the broader programmes in NCIs (i.e. in Education, Safeguarding, HR OD team) and their programmes, research, leads, etc. - ensuring the implementation of excellent learning experiences for internal and external participants.
• Liaising, developing good relationships and positively influencing a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring they are engaged and open for the Racial Justice programmes to be delivered.
• Ensuring continuous self-reflexivity regarding racial justice and/or any programmes delivered.
• Proposing and developing best metrics that would allow quarterly and annual reports to capture training needs, what has been delivered, the impact of what has been delivered and analysis.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate must have:

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Proven experience and expertise in developing and delivering training programs on race awareness, unconscious bias, and anti-racism.
• Strong understanding of systemic racism, unconscious bias, and social justice issues.
• Engaging presentation and facilitation skills with large and small groups, both virtually and face-to-face.
• Able to speak in public to large groups of people in an impactful and engaging way.
• Able to communicate complex ideas succinctly and clearly, in writing and via various communication channels, to a range of audiences.
• Able to deliver and blend a range of learning methods effectively.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Expertise in designing and delivering innovative Learning and Development interventions using a range of methodologies.
• A strong facilitator of all types of training delivery with familiarity with e-learning platforms and practices.
• Proven ability to design effective and research-led approaches to developing training programmes.
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders. 
• Good understanding of the Church of England structures, racial justice context and principles.
• Knowledge of the latest research and developments in adult learning and the ability to web it into the programmes developed.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the impact of racism on individuals and wider society

Personal Attributes:

• Demonstrate strong communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills 
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders– including written reports, high-profile events, and online presentations.
• In sympathy with the aims of the Church of England and Racial Justice Unit principles.

Education:

• Specialist educational leadership and/or coaching qualifications or equivalent work experience
• Coaching skills and training

Desirable

Knowledge/Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Education, Training, Organisational Development, or a related field.
• Familiarity with adult learning principles, instructional design methodologies, and evaluation techniques.
• Organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

About Us

In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.-.  

Find out more about working for the National Church Institutions at Careers | The Church of England

NCI values

• We strive for excellence 
• We collaborate 
• We act with integrity 
• We show compassion 
• We respect others 

We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward.  The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values.  Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you. 

If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org

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

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