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.

Data Services is part of the Central Services of the Church of England, providing statistical information, data, analysis, research and consultancy.  The team works collaboratively with the National Church Institutions (NCIs), dioceses and parishes collecting and assembling data to support the Church’s missional, pastoral and operational activities through high-quality information and analysis.  This is used locally, at parish, diocesan and national levels, involving the Team in a wide range of customer contacts and interfaces.

In the context of the Church of England’s Transforming Effectiveness Programme, the Data Services Team will work to promote data collection that is economic, efficient and effective, producing high-quality services and deliverables geared to a varied range of customer needs.  Within Data Services, the Partner & Projects team will be the main interface between all of Data Services and its customers across the NCIs, dioceses and parishes ensuring that opportunities for collaboration are identified and acted upon. It will lead on the management and delivery of projects and/or data requests coming into the team as well as capturing and maintaining team business plans.

Post Introduction

The purpose of the post is to support the mission of the Church of England by ensuring that high quality data are collected and appropriately used in decision making at local, regional, and national level.

Role Responsibility

The main responsibilities for this role are:

• Working collaboratively across NCIs, dioceses, and parishes to ensure work opportunities are identified and acted upon.
• Maintaining detailed records of all projects and/or data requests coming into the Data Services team.
• Providing project support to the wider Data Services team.
• Attending key meetings and events to actively promote the work of the department both internally and externally.
• Ensuring all projects held within the Data Services team adhere to the NCIs Project Management framework.
• Building and maintaining a network of quality external researchers.
• Working with key stakeholders to review and improve data collection processes and ensuring these are accurately documented, tested and implemented.
• Providing professional expertise and support to colleagues leading on other projects and work within the Data Services Team, including Data Operations and Data and Analysis.
• Providing analysis, insight and statistical advice in response to NCIs’, Synodical, Parliamentary and official enquiries and working parties, including the drafting of responses and material for publication.
• Assisting, advising, and providing professional support for the creation and development of tools and resources that will help churches, parishes and dioceses better understand and engage with their data.
• Helping to organise and contribute to Data Services events and promotions, including those for diocesan and NCI colleagues and members of General Synod.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate must have:

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent collaborative working with a willingness to support colleagues in the Data Services Team on projects and work where agreed, including work led other than by Partner & Projects
• Excellent customer skills, understanding customer needs, identifying and delivering solutions and building customer relationships
• Excellent research skills and knowledge of quantitative research methods demonstrated through professional experience and/or a good degree or equivalent involving statistics or research methods

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience of working on multiple projects with competing deadlines
• Experience of Microsoft Office products, including advanced Excel and its project management functionality
• Experience of providing data and/or technological solutions to meet customer requirements
• Experience of designing and delivering large, complex research projects
• Experience of working with senior stakeholders to deliver project outcomes
• Effective oral communication using telephone, digital communications, online and in-person presentations
• Effective written communication via email, query responses, contributions to publications and strategy papers, online uploads, reports
• Experience of data collection for research purposes
• Awareness of data protection legislation
• Knowledge of survey methodology and data collection methods

Personal Attributes:

• Excellent attention to detail
• Self-motivated with a proven ability to plan and handle several tasks to meet deadlines
• Excellent time management
• Willingness to learn
• Ability to deliver high quality results
• Ability to manage working relationships effectively
• Flexibility and a capacity to manage change
• Sympathy with the aims and practices of the Church of England
• Happy to occasionally travel to dioceses in connection with Data Services resource and assistance

Desirable

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Social media for business (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook/webpage/online publishing)

Knowledge/Experience:

• Knowledge of qualitative research methods
• Knowledge of Church of England structures and ministry as context for work of the Team
• Knowledge and experience of using additional Microsoft packages (including PowerPoint, Access)
• Knowledge of using internet-based tools to design and deliver surveys (e.g., Survey Monkey)

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 by visiting Careers | The Church of England

NCI values

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

We welcome everyone and we accept and value people for who they are and what they contribute, treating others in the way we would wish to be treated ourselves. We actively listen to and include others, encouraging and enabling everyone’s voice to be heard in discussions and decisions. When we disagree, we aim to disagree well with respect and kindness.  

We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people. 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.