The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth

Administrative Services Manager

£30,000-£33,000 per annum depending on experience plus contributory pension

Full time 35 hours per week (Monday to Friday)

Reporting to the Director of Communications and Corporate Services.

Accountable to the Chief Operating Officer.

About us

The Diocese of Portsmouth comprises 90 parishes across Hampshire, Dorset, Berkshire (except Slough), South Oxfordshire, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands. Formed 19th May 1882 by the division of the Diocese of Southwark, the Diocese of Portsmouth has a presence in every community and can offer ministry and mission to all who come to us, working towards the Bishop’s vision of Bringing people closer to Jesus Christ through his church.

About You

Due to some changes within our team structure we are looking for an experienced and high-calibre candidate to join our small central team as our Administrative Services manager. You may have been a senior administrator, Office manager or company secretary, governance manager or board administrator or similar in a busy organisation.  You will have excellent communication skills and a great attention to detail. You will computer literate and proficient in office software applications and most of all you will be adaptable and flexible, a strong team player and a self -starter.

You will have a relevant degree 2:2 or above or equivalent experience and project management experience.

You will have an understanding and sympathy with the mission and values of the Catholic Church.

Main duties of the role

You will be supporting the Chief Operating Officer and senior leadership in ensuring the smooth governance and administration of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth charity, and you will work closely with the main committees involved in the governance and allocation of resources for the Charity, this includes the Trustee Board and Trust Subcommittees. You will be responsible for the oversight of the office function and be the Data Protection Manager for the organisation.

You will work with the Senior Team to organise events for external stakeholders and supporters of the charity, and conferences and team days for the charity’s staff.

You will also provide important generalist support for the Senior Management Team on ad hoc projects associated with development of the business functions.

This role provides a unique opportunity to work at the heart of the Diocese and contributing to the ongoing development of a professional approach within the organisation. You will be expected to liaise directly with Trustees, Clergy and external stakeholders so it is crucial that you have well developed interpersonal and communication skills. You will need strong organisational and analytical skills for your day-to-day work, displaying meticulous attention to detail and a high level of efficiency.  You will exhibit exceptional diplomacy and tact, and a high level of professionalism.

While we are committed to staff development, the central team is small and therefore this is a role for an experienced person it is not suitable for a new graduate.

If you would like a confidential discussion about the role please contact:

Heather Hauschild – Chief Operating Officer

Please apply by sending in the following;

Covering letter:  Please tell us how your motivation, values, skills, experience and personal qualities demonstrate your suitability for the role (around 500 words).  Please make it clear why you are excited about this role, and why you specifically want to work for the Diocese of Portsmouth.

Current CV and the details of two referees: This should include full education and employment history (including dates, with no gaps left unexplained). Please include your current or most recent employer as one of your referees.

Closing date for applications: Friday 12th June 2020 at 1300 hrs

Interviews: to be confirmed

Notes to candidates

1. Interviews: all shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview.

2. Unsuccessful applications: if you have not been contacted within 3 weeks of your application, we regret that you will not have been offered an interview on this occasion.

3. General: this post will be subject to review under the relevant Diocesan Terms and Conditions of Service.

4. New employees to the Diocese will be subject to a probationary period of six months.

Administrative Services Manager

Job purpose

The post-holder will be part of a small team supporting the governance needs of the Diocese of Portsmouth and maintaining an efficient administrative function.

To ensure that the Diocese has in place the governance framework, policies, procedures and support it needs to function as an effective Charity.

The post-holder will manage the development and implementation of governance policies and procedures and provide advice on wider governance issues.

The post-holder will be expected to provide comprehensive and high-quality secretarial support to the Trustees and Subcommittees, ensuring that they have the support required to enable them to fulfil their functions and responsibilities effectively, meeting the requirements of the charity commission legislation and policy framework.

Main accountabilities

1. To provide comprehensive and high-quality secretarial support to the Trustees, the Finance Audit & Risk and Remuneration Committees, and other Committees or advisory groups as required, and managing the relevant budgets.

2. To work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to develop the Trusts work programme.

 3. To provide support to the Senior Leadership Team( SLT).

4. To ensure good quality information flows between the senior management and trustees.

5. To oversee compliance with Trust governance policies, procedures and relevant provisions in legislation.

6.To provide clear and effective line management for the Administrative assistant.

Governance, Compliance and Board Management

• Work with Secretary to Trustees and the Chief Operating Officer to set and manage meeting date schedules for all Board and Committees to achieve efficient diary management.
• Capturing the outcomes of meetings and taking responsibility for communicating these throughout the organisation, obtaining updates from action owners and preparing a report on the status of completion.
• Prepare papers for the Trustee Board, and other Board committees.
• Organise and administer meetings, including taking and distributing minutes.
• In conjunction with the Secretary to Trustees, organise the Trustee training days.
• Responsible for keeping the register of signing and sealing official documents.
• Providing direct advice and guidance to chairs and members in meetings on matters relating to regulation, governance and constitution.
• To attend, prepare agendas for and take minutes at meetings of key management committees, including the Senior Leadership Team.
• Develop draft reports for regulators (principally Charity commission) including serious incident reporting.
• Liaise with legal advisers as directed.
• Work with senior leaders to develop risk reporting and board assurance framework.
• Take a lead role in ensuring Information Governance (GDPR) Compliance acting as the Data protection manager for the organisation.
• Develop Organisation Risk reporting and Board Assurance.
• Supporting the Chief Operating Officer in making sure the decisions of the Trust boards are implemented.
• Keeping handbooks for staff and trustees up to date.
• Supporting the induction of new Trustees.
• Deliver specific training related to portfolio as required, for example for parish administrators.

Training and Events Management

To work with the Senior Leadership Team to organise:

• Charity-wide events such as the annual parish administrators conference, other seminars, gatherings and events as required. This includes the logistical arrangements, liaising with speakers and venues as well as ensuring dissemination of notes and tracking actions.
• To undertake a range of ad-hoc tasks, projects and responsibilities for members of the Senior Leadership Team in accordance with management requirements and organisational demands.
• To act as a representative of the organisation on behalf of the Senior Leadership team at external conferences, meetings and other events as agreed with the Chief Operating Officer.

Project Management

• To lead on specific projects or pieces of work, undertaking research, and writing reports on behalf of the Senior Leadership Team.
• To work with the property team to ensure the presentability of head office premises and to arrange improvements and repairs.

Values

• To maintain the ethos and values of the Catholic Church and positively promote the work and activities of the Catholic Church.
• To undertake any task that may be requested from time to time that may be consistent with the nature and scope of this post.
   

Person Specification - Administrative Services Manager

Supporting Evidence

In the supporting evidence of your application form, you must demonstrate your experiences by giving specific examples for the criteria within the person specification.

Knowledge, Training and Experience

Degree in relevant subject (or equivalent ) - Essential

RSA level 3 - Desirable 

GDPR/Information governance related qualification - Desirable 

Demonstrable experience of Governance and compliance in an administrative environment and working with computerised data systems - Essential 

Working Knowledge of risk management and board assurance.

Excellent written communication skills and command of the English language to draft letters, briefing notes etc. and meticulous attention to detail - Desirable 

Experience of working for senior staff at board level in a busy environment - Desirable

First class organisational skills including the ability to prioritise work, balance conflicting priorities, monitor progress and exercise judgement about chasing progress as necessary - Essential 

Experience and proficiency in minute taking and keeping actions trackers and excellent record - Essential

Advanced proficiency in use of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and Powerpoint - Essential 

Kowledge of the values and teaching of the Roman Catholic Church - Desirable 

Understanding of Data Protection legislation - Essential

Communication Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills and the confidence to deal with people at every level - Essential 

Ability to work effectively as part of a team - Essential 

Problem solving skills - Essential

Equality and Diversity

Understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships - Essential

Autonomy

Able to work on own initiative, organising and prioritising own workload to set deadlines - Essential

Other

An ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and trust - Essential

Good time keeping - Essential

Positive and flexible approach to work - Essential

Terms of Employment

Information Management

• To accurately update and input data to relevant data systems.
• Ensuring all urgent and/or confidential communications are received and distributed from/to relevant parties in a timely manner and in accordance with Information Governance requirements.
• Inputting, monitoring and checking data, required for finite and ongoing projects within the teams.
• Working with all team members in the collection of information for reporting on relevant projects and cases.
• Running and collating reports including which may include statistical and performance management reports to senior management as required.
• Developing and maintaining effective electronic and paper filing systems, to ensure that information is kept securely and is accessible to other members of the team and in accordance with Information Governance requirements.

Complaints

• Ensure that any concerns or complaints about the team are recorded, and where immediate resolution is not possible are passed to the relevant party to respond/manage.

Audit and review

• To participate in regular reviews as required.

Staff Management

• To adhere to all staff management policies applicable to the Diocese of Portsmouth.
• To provide a supportive environment for staff with appropriate levels of performance management in order to ensure objectives are achieved.
• Provide support and mentoring to members of the team encouraging continuous improvement.
• To be responsible for receiving annual appraisal and providing an annual appraisal for staff you directly manage.

Organisational Vision, Mission, Aims, Culture and Behaviours

• You will be expected to contribute to the development of the culture of the Diocesan team. You will also be required to understand the organisation’s mission, aims and objectives and demonstrate the organisation’s values and behaviours throughout your work.

Engagement with staff

• The Diocese of Portsmouth is committed to ensuring relevant and appropriate engagement with you to make sure the Diocese of Portsmouth develops in partnership with staff. Opportunities will be provided to hear your views and it is expected that you will engage with this process to make sure that there is active engagement with all our staff.

Engagement with the public

• The Diocese of Portsmouth wants to make sure it listens to and acts on the view of its local communities and parishes. Where appropriate, you will be expected to follow the principles laid out by the organisation to ensure effective engagement with stakeholders at an early stage in any development project.

Equality & diversity

• You have a personal responsibility for your own behaviour and for ensuring that you comply with the Equality Act 2010 by eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering good relations. This means you must help promote an inclusive environment by treating everyone with dignity and respect; by respecting and responding to the diverse needs of staff, service users and others and; appropriately challenging and/or reporting behaviour that may be considered to be offensive when directed against yourself or others.

Improving working lives

• The Diocese of Portsmouth is currently working to develop an appropriate health and wellbeing programme. You are expected to participate and support this and other well-being initiatives designed to improve the overall working lives of staff.

No smoking policy

• You and your visitors are not permitted to smoke on Diocese of Portsmouth premises. You should only smoke during recognised breaks throughout the day, and not at the front of the building. The Diocese of Portsmouth does not allow the smoking of electronic cigarettes in the offices.

Alcohol and substance misuse policy

• Diocese of Portsmouth expects all its employees to conduct themselves in a way that ensures that standards of service, image and the reputation of the Diocese are maintained. If you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs/other substances and are unfit to work, you may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Diocese of Portsmouth’s Disciplinary Policy. The Diocese of Portsmouth will assist and support you and your manager if you have an alcohol, drug or substance related problem.

Health, safety & security

• You have a responsibility to follow the Diocese of Portsmouth’s health and safety policy and arrangements which ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of staff. This applies to those members of staff that are directly employed by the Diocese of Portsmouth and for whom the Diocese of Portsmouth has legal responsibility.

Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

• You have a responsibility to safeguard vulnerable adults and children and must be aware of, and comply with, the Diocese of Portsmouth policies for safeguarding adults and children. You should familiarise yourself with these policies and ensure that you access appropriate safeguarding training commensurate to your role.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

• This post is subject to an exception order under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.  This stipulates that all previous convictions, including those that are ‘spent’ must be declared.  Previous convictions will not necessarily preclude an individual from employment within the Diocese of Portsmouth but you must declare this in writing at the appropriate stage during the recruitment process.

Confidentiality

• The Diocese of Portsmouth requires that you maintain an appropriate standard of confidentiality in the course of your duties. Any disclosures of confidential information (including personal information kept on computer or other media) made unlawfully outside the proper course of duty may be treated as a serious disciplinary offence.
• Additionally, the Diocese of Portsmouth recognises that confidentiality is an obligation not just for all staff but also for third party contractors supplying services to the Diocese of Portsmouth.

Data Protection Act 1998

• Under the provision of the Data Protection Act, the Diocese of Portsmouth determines that it is your responsibility to ensure that all data, whether computerised or manual, is kept secure at all times.  This includes data relating to clergy, specific casework and colleagues.  Data must not be disclosed to any unauthorised person and must be regarded as strictly confidential at all times. Failure to adhere to this instruction will be regarded as serious misconduct and could lead to dismissal.

Information Security

• Whether you are permanent, temporary or contracted you are responsible for ensuring that you are aware of the legal and policy requirements of the Diocese of Portsmouth and for ensuring that you comply with these on a day to day basis.  You must abide by the information security policy and associated policies and procedures.
• You should report any suspected breaches of this policy to your line manager.
• You must be aware of and understand that failure to comply with the rules and regulations contained within the information security policies may result in disciplinary action.

Sustainability

• The Diocese of Portsmouth is working towards reducing its impact on its environment. You will be expected to support this commitment, make your own contribution to sustainability and ensure that any processes or policies developed to support this approach are delivered.

Mandatory training

• You are required to complete all training specified by the Diocese of Portsmouth. Some of this mandatory training is a legal requirement for the Diocese of Portsmouth, and some is considered essential for the employees. All new staff need to complete their mandatory training in first six months, during their probationary period. Thereafter required training needs to be completed within the first three months of each financial year.

Review of role

• This job description may change and develop over time, to reflect changing requirements of the Diocese of Portsmouth you will need a high degree of flexibility and resilience. You will have the opportunity to review your job description at your annual appraisal meeting, which aims to reflect on your performance and development over the previous year.
• You will agree, with your line manager, your personal development plan for the year in order to further develop your skills and knowledge required to carry out the responsibilities associated with this role.

GDPR

• Under the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the information you provide us with will be held in confidence and used for the purpose of Diocesan recruitment and no other purpose.