Church relations officer jobs

Caritas Social Action Network

Policy and Public Affairs Officer (maternity leave)

Location: office in London, with mostly working from home, regular travel in England and Wales, and rare travel overseas.

Contract: full-time, to cover a team member’s maternity leave

Salary: £30,00

Closing date: Monday 13 July at 12 noon

Interview date: Thursday 16 July in person, in London

CSAN is the official agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference tackling the root causes of poverty and injustice affecting people who live in England and Wales. We’re facing a steep rise in poverty and significant pressures on social, economic and church resources. Currently, the Church is called to raise a prophetic voice against poverty and the rhetoric of division and work for the building of a more just society.

Over the last 20 years, CSAN has built up a network of 50 diocesan and direct service charities with a combined annual spend on social mission estimated at £400m, excluding the work of schools and religious congregations. Our members build up local community life in diverse ways, and many of them support individuals in difficulty, including with housing, prison and detention, social isolation, ill-health, violence, disability, employment, care, therapeutic and welfare support.

The key responsibilities of the post are:

1. To scan the social policy environment to capture developments in legislation, consultation papers and Bills relevant to the Caritas network for the purpose of comprehensive tracking and briefing.

2. To deliver an effective programme of Catholic advocacy and political campaigns that contributes to the common good, with particular attention to the priorities of the dignity of workers, child poverty, social care and end of life; supporting and connecting well with the team’s other activities, and where possible with the CSAN membership’s priorities,

3. To draft campaign and advocacy materials for the range of media channels used by CSAN and support the CEO in engaging with the press and approaches from campaigning organisations including contributing to CSAN’s social media networks.

4. To provide admin support and contribute to CSAN’s Alliances as required, especially the Advocacy Alliance and the Criminal Justice Alliance with information and education on policy and legislation.

5. To ensure that our advocacy is consistent with the Bishops’ understanding of the Church’s role in society and supports the priorities of the Bishops’ Conference, especially the Department for Social Justice.

6. To act as a conduit of information and communication between the Bishops’ Conference and the CSAN members, under the guidance of the CEO, assisting CBCEW where possible in gathering information and the lived experience of poverty.

7. To develop and contribute to practice materials for the network, especially in the areas of campaigning, advocacy, social policy and formation for mission.

8. To oversee monitoring of the Catholic press and relevant wider networks for relevant articles, developments and campaigns.

9. To support the general work of CSAN as required by the CEO, including leading in the development and organisation of the charity in specific areas subject to skills and experience.

The work of the small national team requires a high level of integrity and teamwork, respect for and capacity to navigate complex civil and church contexts at pace, and a stable commitment to personal formation and training. Our Policy and Public Affairs Officer (maternity leave) will bring a professional track record of relevant research and analysis, production of compelling communications, and diligent administration. A satisfactory basic DBS check and references are required.

CSAN is a member of Caritas Internationalis, one of the largest humanitarian networks in the world, with national agencies in over 160 countries, and among the most successful examples of organised Catholic social action in modern times.

The person appointed will be employed by the Cathedral Chapter and the Line Manager for this post will be the Canon Chancellor.

The Education Officer will work with the Canon Chancellor and the expert volunteers who support this department to develop, grow and deliver the schools and formal learning offers at the cathedral. In addition, they will work with others to develop the interpretation and activities for families and children, helping them to discover the cathedral and its work.

The post of Education Officer is located within Ripon Cathedral, which is a place of Christian worship and mission within the Church of England.  This is a creative and mission-led role, sitting at the heart of the cathedral’s commitment to education, outreach and discipleship.  The role requires a solid understanding of, and sympathy for the Christian faith. 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

Education Programme Development

• To develop and grow the education programme in support of the cathedral’s strategic objectives.
• To grow income from school visits and projects.
• To contribute actively to maintaining a healthy safeguarding culture in the cathedral. 

Leadership and Management of Volunteers

Lead, recruit, manage and develop the expert team of volunteers, creating a working environment which fosters commitment, enthusiasm and confidence with a positive safeguarding culture at its heart.

• Lead by example and promote team-working across the department and with the wider cathedral staff team.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with all staff and volunteers to drive forward the delivery of the vision for the Cathedral. .

Formal Learning Offer

• Develop the formal learning offer at the cathedral to cover all ages and across the whole curriculum
• Create educational resources and activities aligned to the National Curriculum
• Work with partner organisations in the area to develop multi-site learning and visits
• Promote the offer to schools across the area, building up strong relationships with teachers and local networks, and act as primary contact for schools and groups.
• Work with the volunteers to deliver high quality school visits, workshops and educational activities
• Work positively and collaboratively with Chapter committees and working groups to develop the learning offer

Informal Learning Offer

• Liaise and work with the Cathedral’s Children and Families Officer to devise and deliver seasonal children and family activities during school holidays
• Assist in the development of children’s interpretation and the visitor offer for families

COMMON DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Health and Safety

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, whilst at work the post-holder must take reasonable care for his/her own health and safety and that of any other person who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions.  In addition, the post-holder must co-operate with the Cathedral on health and safety and not interfere with or misuse anything provided for his/her health, safety and welfare. 

Confidentiality

The post-holder must comply with Ripon Cathedral’s policies and procedures regarding the sharing of confidential and personal data.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding and welfare of everyone who comes into contact with the cathedral is of the utmost importance to the Dean and Chapter.  All employees are expected to recognise the shared responsibility they hold and keep up-to-date with policies and procedures as they enact their role.  Employees are supported in this by the work of our dedicated safeguarding team.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity

Ripon Cathedral is committed to promoting a diverse, non-discriminatory and inclusive community that gives everyone an equal chance to learn, work and live free from discrimination, bias and prejudice. Our equality policy includes responsibility for all staff to eliminate unfair and unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity for all and foster good relations.  

General

We expect all employees to be accountable for own development through the appraisal process, seeking out opportunities to learn new skills.

In addition, all employees are expected to work within the terms of their contract of employment and adhere to the Cathedral’s policies and practices.

Occasionally situations may arise that require the post holder to perform other duties and tasks as may be reasonably requested by the chapter of the Cathedral.  This role includes occasional evening and weekend working.

Join the Cardinal Hume Centre and use your estates expertise to help create a safe, welcoming and well-managed environment for young people, children and families facing homelessness and poverty. This is a rare opportunity to lead both the long-term stewardship of a significant Central London site and the day-to-day delivery of facilities, compliance and improvement works that directly support life-changing services.

Working closely with the CEO, Head of HR and Operations and Board of Trustees, you will shape future plans for the Centre’s estate while ensuring the building remains safe, compliant, efficient and fit for purpose. If you are a strategic and practical estates professional who wants their work to make a tangible social impact, we would like to hear from you.

What you’ll do

· Lead long-term estate planning, capital works and building improvements – you’ll support our master planning for the site

· Oversee day-to-day maintenance, facilities management and contractor performance to keep the Centre running effectively

· Take organisational responsibility for health and safety, fire safety and statutory compliance

· Manage budgets, procurement and reporting, delivering value for money while supporting excellent services

· Support sustainability and environmental improvements that strengthen the Centre for the future

What we’re looking for

· A skilled estates, facilities or property professional with strong experience in building compliance, maintenance and project delivery

· A confident communicator who can work effectively with senior leaders, trustees, contractors and colleagues across the organisation

· Someone who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on operational oversight

· A values-led individual who is motivated by the opportunity to support a charity tackling youth and family homelessness