Overview

This is an opportunity to provide strategic project support within the new Buildings Unit, with a primary focus on the review of Mission & Pastoral Measure.

 

Post Introduction

We would like to invite expressions of interest from current employees of the NCIs or other CofE organisations, who would be interested in this newly created role in the Pastoral and Closed Churches team. 

This role offers a unique opportunity to support Wendy Matthews, Head of Pastoral and Closed Churches primarily, and also the Church Commissioners’ Chief Executive and leaders of the other Buildings teams, with project activity arising from the Transforming Effectiveness/Emerging CofE programme.

You will manage the process for the review of the Mission & Pastoral Measure, incorporating planning and project management, through to implementation of a revised measure (including training and guidance).  You will also support the co-ordination of the Transforming Effectiveness (TE) Buildings work, establishing processes for monitoring and reporting.

As time allows, you may also support other projects and assignments, working closely with members of the Commissioners management group.

The working arrangements will be flexible, with a mixture of home and office-based working and the expectation of 1-3 days per week in London. Further details will be discussed at interview.

To arrange an informal discussion, please email wendy.matthews@churchofengland.org

Interviews will be held remotely using Zoom on Friday 10th December 2021.

You will have many, but not all, of the requirements below with an interest in learning and developing new skills. You are encouraged to communicate with your manager before applying for this post as part of your career development plan.

Role Responsibility

The Role

In relation to the Mission & Pastoral Measure:

• Provide project management and coordination support to the Head of Pastoral and Closed Churches in relation to the review of the Mission and Pastoral Measure. 
  1. Activities including project management, stakeholder mapping, planning and participating in engagement, reviewing and assimilating consultation input, drafting of synod/board papers, liaising with legal office on legislative requirements with diocesan leaders and synod members.
  2. This will include working with external stakeholders and partners, including diocesan colleagues, bishops and synod members.
  3. Subject to the outcomes of the review, the role will also cover implementation of the revised measure, including developing training programmes and preparing new materials and guidance.
• Provide policy support through research and analysis activities to support the MPM review and the wider buildings policy agenda. 

In relation to the Mission & Pastoral Measure and other TE Buildings work:

• Coordinate other TE Buildings work, providing support where required, and developing monitoring & reporting. 
• Assist with the design and implementation of, and participate in, team building activities to support the Buildings teams.
• Support the strategic work of Bishops Viv and Andrew in relation to the church buildings brief.  Providing research, briefing and communications support.
• Assist in the preparation of information for parliamentary and synod questions. Support the drafting of correspondence.

General Church Commissioners’ support:

• Ensure the provision of accurate and timely ad-hoc advice to the leaders of the Buildings teams and the Chief Executive.  To research and provide briefings as necessary, including drafting papers, reports and presentations.
• From time-to-time support the Chief Executive in developing and delivering plans and projects.
• To keep up to date with current events, trends and concerns which might affect the work of the Commissioners, National Church Institutions and the wider Church, in particular with regard to the Emerging Church programme.
• Draw connections between operational activities in different teams, and with other NCI activities where appropriate.
• Undertake any other activities as may reasonably be required by the Head of Pastoral & Closed Churches.

The Ideal Candidate

The Requirements

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Naturally collaborative, enjoys working with others.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to establish positive working relationships with colleagues and senior stakeholders and to represent the Church Commissioners with internal and external partners.
• Good communications skills, both orally and in writing. Experience of preparing professional, clear and accurate briefing material, presentations and papers to tight deadlines.
• Evidence of a high level of administrative and organisational ability including document management skills.
• Basic project management skills, including knowledge of the NCIs Project Management framework.
• Excellent IT skills including complete understanding of the full Microsoft Office suite (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to identify and adapt to changing priorities and work under pressure to achieve deadlines. Evidence of planning own work and that of others effectively.
• Proven problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to master and develop new concepts quickly.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Working with colleagues to develop and implement plans and projects, including monitoring of progress to delivery.
• Experience of forming appropriate messaging / communications for strategic projects and current operational priorities.
• A broad understanding of the work of the National Church Institutions, and the Church of England, its structures, values and ethos.
• Policy work including research, drafting and presentation.

Personal Attributes:

• Friendly, approachable and professional.
• Self-motivated and well organised.
• Proactive and positive attitude.
• Confident with the initiative to act for the Head of Pastoral & Closed Churches in order to support, protect and manage the best use of her/his time.
• Takes pride in delivering high quality outputs (e.g. presentations, documents).
• Willing and able to personally undertake projects and work programmes without the support of a team of direct reports.
• Models the NCI values and challenges inappropriate behaviours effectively.
• Role model for effective change management and successful in encouraging others to implement change well.
• In sympathy with the aims and ethos of the Church of England.

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..