Jobs for the Faith-based sector

Ascension Community Trust (ACT) is a much-loved community-based charity in Custom House, Newham.  We deliver a range of projects including Newham District Foodbank (a Trussell Trust foodbank), welfare benefits advice, ESOL classes, work with adults with learning difficulties, as well as work with children, young people and their families.

This an exciting time for the programme with a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school being build next door to our centre, and with established relationships with several care homes – we expect that this programme will go from strength to strength.

The programme currently consists of:

· Inclusive Art Group

· Supported Volunteering

· Weekly Community Meal

We are seeking a competent manager for a one year fixed contract to cover maternity leave.

You will have the leadership skills to support a small team of sessional staff. You will be at ease in relating to adults as well as their parents and carers. You will be passionate about the well being and integration of people with learning difficulties with an understanding of their needs.

Christian belief is not a requirement of the role; however, it is essential that the successful candidate will be comfortable working in sympathy with our values.

If you share our values and want to make an impact within Newham, then we look forward to hearing from you!

School Governance and Admissions Officer

The Diocese supports Church of England schools across Sussex, working to ensure every child flourishes.  The vision for education is “Deeply Christian, serving the common good.”

This is a rare opportunity for an experienced governance professional to step into a strategic, system-wide role, influencing governance practice across the large and diverse family of 154 Church of England schools within the Diocese.

Position: School Governance and Admissions Officer

Location: Hove/Hybrid (You will be expected to work at the Hove office at least 50% of the week)

Salary: £30,970 per annum (pro rata FTE £44,242 pa)

Hours: Part-time – 26.25 hours per week (0.7 FTE) - flexi time available

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 12 July 2026

Interview Date: Hove on 24 July 2026

About the Role

Reporting to the Diocesan Director of Education, you will act as a trusted adviser and expert, supporting governing bodies, senior leaders and school trusts to deliver strong, effective and values-led governance.

You will work alongside senior leaders and governance professionals as a respected expert in your field, helping to shape governance practice across the Diocese.

There is an expectation that at least 50% of the working week will be spent at the diocesan office at Hove, unless visiting schools.

You will:

• Advise governing bodies, headteachers and trust leaders on governance, compliance and admissions
• Support Multi Academy Trusts in navigating governance and diocesan requirements
• Lead and deliver high-quality training for governors and governance professionals
• Contribute to governance reviews and improvement work in schools
• Translate complex policy into clear, practical guidance
• Build strong partnerships with schools, trusts and local authorities

About You

You’ll bring:

• Strong knowledge of governance frameworks and regulatory requirements
• Experience working with boards, governing bodies or committees
• The ability to build relationships and influence at senior levels
• Confidence in interpreting legislation and applying it in practice

This role would particularly suit Governance Professionals / Clerks looking to move into a strategic advisory role, Governance Leads within Multi Academy Trusts or Local Authority governance officers seeking wider system influence.

You will be expected to support the Christian ethos of Church of England education.

Why join the team?

• A genuinely strategic governance role with system-wide impact
• Opportunity to influence governance across 154 schools
• A supportive and collaborative diocesan team
• Generous pension (15.1% employer contribution)
• A role combining professional challenge with strong social purpose

You can view full details of the in the job description and person specification when you apply.

About the Organisation

The vision of the Diocese is to help people to know, love and follow Jesus. Based in Hove and serving the people of Sussex across more than 360 parishes and 154 church schools and the wider community, this is a great role for someone who supports the ethos, aims and objectives of the Diocese and the Church of England.

As an employer, and as a team, the mutual values at work are to be Respectful, Professional, Flexible and Supportive.

What is on offer:

• A 0.7 pro-rata entitlement to 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year.
• Flexi-time and the opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home.
• Membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0-6%.
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free parking, and the ride to work scheme and development opportunities.

Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.  All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check, and the post will involve travelling around the Diocese, some evening work and occasional work at weekends.

You may have experience in roles such as Governance, School Governance, Governance Adviser, Governance Officer. 

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP

Salary: £46,916

Location: London Diocesan House, Causton Street.

Contract type:  12-month fixed-term contract, Full-time (will consider job share, part time split 0.4/0.6 or 0.5/0.5), 35 hours per week

Closing date: 12 June 2026

Interview date: 25 June 2026

This role offers the opportunity to support and develop social action and social justice work across the Diocese of London. Working as part of the Compassionate Communities team, the postholder will help churches and communities respond to local needs by connecting, equipping and resourcing them to grow their impact.

The role involves working across a wide range of social action themes, supporting partnerships, training, events and engagement activities. It also includes helping to communicate and share the work churches are doing across local communities and contributing to wider diocesan priorities.

Job Summary

The Social Action Lead supports the development of social action and social justice work across the Diocese of London. The role works closely with churches, diocesan teams and external partners to support community engagement, strengthen partnerships and help deliver initiatives responding to local needs and challenges.

Job responsibilities

· Support churches and communities with advice, resources and connections relating to social action and social justice

· Develop and support diocesan training and engagement activities across key social action themes

· Organise and contribute to events, meetings and partnership activities

· Build and maintain relationships with churches, charities and external organisations

· Contribute to communications, presentations and sharing examples of good practice

· Support diocesan priorities relating to compassionate communities and social justice initiatives

Please refer to the attached Job Description for the full details on the main responsibilities.

Person Specification

· Qualification or experience in social action, social justice or poverty alleviation

· Experience building relationships with a range of organisations and stakeholders

· Strong organisational, communication and event coordination skills

· Ability to write clear content for public communications and briefings

· Ability to support and encourage theological reflection within the work

· Strong collaborative working skills and ability to respond flexibly to changing priorities

· Right to work in the UK

· This role will not require a DBS check

Please refer to the attached Job Description for the full details on Person Specification.

About the London Diocesan Fund

The London Diocesan Fund (LDF) is the employment body that serves and supports the Diocese of London and Church of England. The Diocese of London comprises of c400 parishes north of the River Thames and within the M25 motorway.

The Church of England in London is growing, vibrant and at the heart of communities throughout the capital. At the London Diocesan Fund, we seek to do everything we can to support this mission and growth, using our resources to help our parishes and chaplains to serve over 4 million people.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Diocese of London is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community.

We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.

Safeguarding

The Diocese of London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Benefits of working with us

The LDF offers a supportive working environment, opportunity for career development and the following financial benefits:

• Competitive remuneration package
• 27 annual leave days to rise to 30 after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays
• 15% employer pension contribution and salary sacrifice available
• Death in service benefit x3 of basic gross salary
• Enhanced maternity leave of six months full pay, after 12 months of employment
• Season ticket loans for public transport
• Access to Benenden Health Insurance
• EAP counselling through Health Assured
• Up to £100 for eye test and contribution to spectacles
• Two additional paid days for community volunteering

To apply:

Submit your application and CV online via Pathways. Please refer to the person specification and JD when you’re answering the application questions.

For more details, please see the full Job Description and Person Specification or visit the LDF Careers Page.