Church Engagement Jobs
Hours 36 hours (net) with evening and weekend working
Location Home-based, within 60 minutes travel time of Pershore in Worcestershire. Looking after churches in Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire
We’re looking for a Community Engagement Officer to join a talented team to inspire and empower communities to support their historic places of worship. This is a fundamental role within our West regional team, internally the role is known as Local Community Officer.
Churches Conservation Trust works with communities to look after 357 historic churches, over two million visitors annually and hundreds of events both private and public. These ancient, listed sites are among the most beautiful locations in England.
You’ll be visiting sites in your patch regularly, encouraging new supporters, holding local meetings, and raising funds to meet each building’s unique needs. Sharing progress through a growing church plan for each of the 22 churches in your area, you’ll ensure these buildings thrive as beautifully maintained visitor attractions, as venues for events and as central parts of village, town or city life.
You’ll be supported by our team of experts, including fundraising, conservation, and learning and by our large network of church supporters.
If you know how to build and sustain community projects across a wide area, whether that’s in towns, cities or remote areas, we’d love to hear from you.
How to apply
If you would like to apply for this role, please visit our vacancies page, where you will be directed to our online recruitment system. You’ll be asked to submit a CV and a short supporting statement (max 2 sides A4) outlining how you fulfil the person specification for this post.
Please note direct applications via email cannot be accepted for this role, only applications submitted through our recruitment portal will be considered.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 0800hrs on Monday 29th April 2024.
Please note there is a two-stage interview process. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a familiarisation visit on Monday 13th May 2024 in Evesham. This will be followed by interviews on Thursday 16th May 2024 via Teams. Please note that the interview dates have been specifically chosen according to the availability of the panel.
We are a Disability Confident Committed Employer. Candidates who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria for the job will be offered an interview.
If you have any queries about this role, or if you have a disability and wish to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please email us.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About us
The Church of England in London is growing, vibrant and at the heart of communities throughout the capital. At the London Diocesan Fund (LDF) 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.
The LDF is the employment body that serves and supports the Diocese of London and Church of England. The Diocesan of London comprises of c400 parishes north of the River Thames and within the M25 motorway.
The Diocese of London (LDF) is seeking a Community Engagement Lead to play a key role within the Children and Youth team, based from Pimlico, London.
Responsibilities
Community Engagement
- Engage stakeholders through various media channels, identifying stories and trends.
- Facilitate learning among churches and ensure they understand available support.
- Use email, social media, and Mighty Leaders for interaction.
- Maintain engagement rhythm with the community.
Content Creation
- Develop content to support Growing Younger initiatives.
- Capture impactful stories from across the diocese.
- Collaborate on shaping narratives and promoting resources.
- Support in capturing project impact and enhancing digital content.
Other duties
- Support diocesan communications featuring C&Y.
- Provide creative input for youth events.
- Coordinate promotion schedules and assist in event management.
- Analyse and report on community engagement impact.
Ideal candidate
Essential
- Qualification in communications or marketing practices, or equivalent.
- Experience managing email lists and social media accounts, including scheduling tools.
- Understanding of communications strategies.
- Empathetic to the mission and values of the Church of England.
- Passionate about youth work.
Desirable
- Experience using graphic design software.
- Experience in communications or marketing roles.
- Experience in running livestreams online or hybrid events.
- Managing real-time / social media platforms.
- Handling marketing data and analytics software.
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.
Benefits
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 of 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
Please apply via Pathways by 11 May 2024.
We are looking for someone who can enable effective delivery and growth of Bishops Castle and Leominster Youth Hubs across the Clun Forest, Pontesbury, Leominster and Kington & Weobley Deanery areas.
To ensure effective local research and evaluation in partnership with The Cinnamon Trust and Church Army Research Unit and learning opportunities in collaboration with the Church of England Vision & Strategy Team.
Youth Hubs will have a focus on:
- Reaching young people with the Gospel
- Developing new young active disciples
- Forming of New Worshipping Communities
- Growing Young Leaders
- Developing new volunteer leaders and teams
35 Hours per week Monday to Friday, with some evening and weekend work
If you are excited about this opportunity and sense God is calling you to serve young people in rural Herefordshire and South Shropshire, we would love to hear from you and talk more!
Our vision, which is “to proclaim Christ and grow disciples”, underpinned by our three behaviour values: Prayerful, Christlike and Engaged.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
The package also includes:
· 8% employer pension contribution
· 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional leave during the Christmas week pro rata
· Season Ticket Loan
About Us
USPG is the Anglican mission agency that partners churches and communities worldwide in God’s mission to enliven faith, strengthen relationships, unlock potential and champion justice.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Director of Global Mission, this focal coordinating role within our Global Mission Team (GMT) will ensure the effective functioning of the GMT by offering:
• Administrative support to the Director
• Team-wide Coordination
• Programme Support for cross-regional initiatives
Due to the coordinating nature of this role, the post holder will need to work in close collaboration with other members of the Global Mission Team as well as effectively liaise with members of the Communications, Engagement and Fundraising (CEF) team as well as the Finance and Operations (FO) team.
About You
You are a highly organised administrator with excellent team coordination skills. You are confident and creative and can offer the necessary operational, administrative and programme support that can see things through from conception to full implementation.
As a focal part of the team, you will have significant awareness and appreciation of team dynamics. You will demonstrate considerable cross-cultural awareness and are able to demonstrate both an aptitude for collaborative teamwork as well as the ability to work independently on your own initiative. It is expected that the postholder will have considerable experience of working in the church/charity sector and a fair understanding of contemporary global challenges.
This is an ideal opportunity for someone with a track record of strengthening team efficiency through meticulous attention to detail, aptitude for operational oversight and demonstrated project coordination experience to exercise their gifts within the context of a global Anglican mission agency. This role involves preparing reports for management and trustees including relevant paperwork.
How to apply
Please visit the Current Vacancies section on our website and complete the application form and equal opportunities form. Please send both completed forms to Renata Rust.
Closing Date: 24th May 2024 at 12 noon
Interview Dates: Week beginning 3rd June 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
District Secretary for Administration and Compliance
Do you have the skill, experience and vision to lead in building and maintaining good practice for a newly amalgamated District of the Methodist Church? We are a collaborative, justice-seeking family of churches, looking for a skilled senior administrator.
lf so, this post may be for you.
This is a senior leadership position in a merged organisation.
- Collaboration with the District Chair and the District Secretary for Ministries & Vocations in the leadership of the District, and promoting the values of the District in all work practice.
- Collaboration with the Mission Area Leads to facilitate support of the circuits in relation to the responsibilities of administration and compliance issues.
- Responsibility for compliance with all relevant legal, financial, and governance matters, including compliance with the relevant parts of The Constitutional Practice and Disicipline of the Methodist Church, including:
- budget and accounting, in partnership with the District Treasurer;
- data protection;
- lay employment processes;
- safeguarding.
- Working with the District Safeguarding Officers, the District Safeguarding Group and others to ensure safeguarding processes for the District are robust and effective.
- Responsibility, together with relevant District officers and bodies, for strategy for property and finance across the District, and for its implementation.
- Enabling the District Property Consents group to fulfil their responsibilities regarding property matters within the District.
- Coordinating the District Grants Policy and its implementation through the District Grants Committee.
- Ensuring that the District’s responsibilities for Reconciliation and Complaints are fulfilled, including liaising with the other District Leaders and ensuring the appointment and functioning of the District Local Complaints Officer and District Reconciliation and Complaints Support Group(s).
- Collaboration with the District Chair and others to ensure good practice in internal and external communication, including through the District Communications Officer.
- Engagement with the District Policy Committee and the District Scrutiny Group processes and meetings.
- Fostering good and collaborative working relationships with holders of relevant district volunteer posts.
- Other areas of responsibility as agreed and assigned by the Trustees.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Your role
Church Mission Society is passionate about God’s mission and fired up to see more and more people become followers of Jesus. As one of two Church and Supporter Care Officers you will bring delight to our donors by successfully dealing with their enquiries as their first port of call. You will also proactively contact supporters and churches to encourage them to give and engage with CMS. Through this, your role will make a significant contribution to supporting for the work of Church Mission Society.
The organisation you’ll be joining
Church Mission Society is comprised of people who are passionate about mission and fired up about helping people follow Jesus. For over 200 years CMS has been at the forefront of global mission, living out the gospel of Jesus, seeing lives changed and communities transformed. If you join CMS you will find an organisation that has been reinvigorated with a fresh vision to make disciples of Jesus among people at the edges, both in the UK and around the world.
The organisation you’ll be joining
Church Mission Society is comprised of people who are passionate about mission and fired up about helping people follow Jesus. For over 200 years CMS has been at the forefront of global mission, living out the gospel of Jesus, seeing lives changed and communities transformed. If you join CMS you will find an organisation that has been reinvigorated with a fresh vision to make disciples of Jesus among people at the edges, both in the UK and around the world.
What you’ll need to succeed
The successful candidate will have proven experience working in a customer/supporter facing environment. Administrative skills are essential and experience in telephoning to get results in a customer care environment is highly desirable.
It is also a requirement for this post holder to be in sympathy of CMS’s values and aims.
Further details can be found in the job description and person specification.
Our commitment to you
Our core values of being pioneering, relational, faithful and evangelistic are integral to everything we do, and we work hard to ensure that every member of staff is valued, supported and encouraged to continually learn and develop their skills.
We are committed to the safeguarding and protection of the people we serve, our partners, our volunteers, and our staff. We believe that every child or adult we come into contact with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm and abuse. Our recruitment and selection processes are in line with our Safeguarding Policy and the SCHR Misconduct Disclosure Scheme , of which CMS is a member as part of our commitment to safeguarding.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Joint Public Issues Team Internships 2024-2025
X2 Internships: 12 month fixed-term contracts beginning September 2023, for Christians aged 21-30.
- Joint Public Issues Team Intern (Communications Support)
- Joint Public Issues Team Intern (Constituency Action Network Support)
Exciting Internship Opportunities with the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT)
Are you passionate about driving meaningful change in the world? Do you want to explore the intersection of faith, policy, and politics? The Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) is recruiting to two internship positions: one focused on Communications and the other on supporting local churches to build relationships with their MPs.
You would be working as part of a small ecumenical team on a diverse range of tasks and initiatives including communications, policy, campaigning and supporter engagement, contributing to the public advocacy and political engagement work of the Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Churches.
About JPIT
JPIT is a partnership between the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church, and the Church of Scotland is an associate partner. Its purpose is to help the Churches to work together for peace and justice through listening, learning, praying, speaking and acting on public policy issues. It is a team which brings together around ten staff from across the denominations. In recent years it has focused on issues around poverty, the economy, refugees and migration, the environment, peace and conflict, and politics.
The Internships
These internships provide opportunities to develop skills in campaigning, communications, research, and policy within a dynamic team environment. There will be opportunities for professional and personal learning and development to equip the intern for employment after their time on the internship. Whilst we are looking for some evidence of certain skills and experience, candidates will have the opportunity to develop the relevant skills during their time in the role.
The roles are based in the Methodist Connexional Team.
These are full-time, paid posts for 12 months. They are aimed at young Christians who may have recently graduated, and are starting their career in an area such as politics, campaigning, policy or church engagement.
Our Culture, Values and Benefits
Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing.
We value and support all those who join our team through a positive work-life balance augmented by generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year), TOIL, flexi-leave and an on-site Wellbeing Adviser service. We offer a generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.
The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people of Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups. We also welcome applications from people living with disabilities.
If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us. Contact details are on our website.
For more information about JPIT, visit www. jpit. uk. Join us in our mission to create a more just and peaceful world.
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Our system keeps your personal information hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Supporter Engagement Officer
Location: Tyndale House, Cambridge (Hybrid working available for the right candidate)
Hours: Minimum 3 days/22.5 hours per week (flexible up to FT hours)
Salary: £28,000 - £32,000 (dependent on experience) & competitive benefits
O.R: Occupational requirement to be a practising evangelical Christian
___________________________________________________________________________
Do you have experience of engaging and communicating with potential and existing charitable supporters? If so, we would be very interested to hear from you. This is a new and exciting role within a vibrant, ambitious small charity.
Tyndale House is a renowned institute for biblical studies and possesses one of the finest libraries for biblical research in the world. It aims to grow an international research community, to present the value of the Bible at the highest academic level, to resource the Church to understand and trust the Bible, and to promote informed attitudes to the Bible.
The Supporter Engagement Officer will play a key role in engaging, involving and inspiring all supporters of Tyndale House through building excellent relationships via a variety of communication channels. One of our ambitious plans for 2024 and beyond includes a capital campaign to rebuild our 1960s library into a state-of-the-art facility. We are looking for people to work with us to make this vision a reality.
The successful candidate will be integral to achieving our strategic priorities of generating income through repeat support, and providing exceptional journeys for our community of supporters, ensuring they feel valued and engaged. The role will provide strategic support to the Director of Engagement and work with the communications and development team to ensure that our outputs are cohesive and coherent.
The ideal candidate will have experience in a similar role, ideally within the Charity sector. He/she will be a self-starter, highly motivated and with the ability to work well as part of a team.
There is an Occupational Requirement for the post-holder to be an active, practising, evangelical Christian in agreement with the doctrinal basis of Tyndale House and living in accord with our Ethos Statement (as permitted under schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010).
If you feel this position fits your skills, personality and experience, and playing a role in fulfilling the purpose of Tyndale House appeals to you, then we would love to hear from you.
Please see the attached to read the full job description and our doctrinal basis and ethos statement.
To apply, please send a CV and Cover Letter, outlining your interest and suitability for the post. Please also indicate where you heard about this vacancy.
Closing Date for Applications: Tuesday 30th April 2024 at 12pm (noon) Start Date: ASAP
If you are interested in this position, please apply as soon as possible as we may interview candidates prior to the closing date.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Internal Communications Officer
Hybrid Working: Connexional Team staff based at Methodist Church House have a hybrid work pattern which is currently 2 days in the office, and 3 days remote.
About the Role
We are looking to appoint an Internal Communications Officer who will play a critical role in developing and shaping the organisation’s internal communications for the staff of the Connexional Team.
The post holder will work closely with Senior Managers to ensure that the Team’s values, mission and updates are effectively communicated to all Team members working across several sites and from home, to foster a cohesive and motivated work environment.
The successful applicant will strive to create an environment where communication
fosters a sense of community, aligned with the Church’s mission and values to create an engaged and informed Connexional Team.
In this crucial role, the Internal Communications Officer will be responsible for establishing and managing channels for staff feedback to leadership, producing engaging content for various channels, and organising and delivering internal events.
The successful applicant will also provide support and training for staff on communication tools and practices, encourage staff to be ambassadors of the Church, and plan and approve regular communications to be sent out to employees including staff newsletters and newsletters from Team members.
About You
The post holder will have at least three years’ experience of working with an internal communications context within an organisation and will have the ability to develop and implement comprehensive internal communications strategies that align with the organisation’s values.
You will be able to articulate messages clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally, that are tailored to various internal audiences. Exceptional writing, editing and proof-reading skills for a range of communication channels are a must for this role.
You will also have strong organisational skills with the ability to lead projects, work collaboratively and be proficient in digital communication tools and platforms.
The successful applicant will have strong interpersonal and listening skills with experience in building relationships with key internal stakeholders.
You will also have the ability to develop a deep understanding of the Methodist Church’s mission, values, and objectives to ensure alignment in all communications.
If you have the skills, abilities and experience contained in the role description, we are keen to hear from you.
Our Culture, Values and Benefits
Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing.
We value and support all those who join our team through a positive work-life balance augmented by generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year), TOIL, flexi-leave and an on-site Wellbeing Adviser service. We offer a generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.
The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people of Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups. We also welcome applications from people living with disabilities.
If you require reasonable adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, please email our HR team (contact details available on our website).
Closing date: 13 May 2024
Interviews will be in London on 30 May 2024
N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We're looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic Operations Lead who will ensure the smooth running of CCX day-to-day operations. As lead of the Operations Team, you will oversee the finance, HR, coordination of data, IT applications and integration, and corporate governance functions.
The Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication (CCX) helps the Church make disciples in new and renewed ways. We work with willing partners across the Church to catalyse multiplication, equipping leaders through adaptive learning pathways.
We are an agile missional centre, on the edge of the institution. Our team seeks to be audacious, holding a God-shaped ambition; generous; and committed to working together.
CCX’s organisational structure is a hybrid management model, blending elements of both functional and project-based structures. Project teams are formed to address specific initiatives, tasks, or delivery projects. These teams are cross-functional, comprising individuals from different specialties, typically with a project manager working under the direction of a CCX lead. The two core teams of Operations and Media operate as shared services across the organisation.
Under the direction of the Bishop of Islington, a suffragan bishop of the London Diocese, CCX supports church planting and church growth work in London, nationally and beyond.
Collaboration and partnership will be key features of this role, working closely with the Bishop, Chief of Staff, and Team Leads. This role has a strong focus on agile and efficient systems development and improvement, resource optimisation and stakeholder engagement.
They are expected to perform duties with a high degree of independence, initiative, and judgement, including knowing when to resolve issues and challenges directly and when to escalate.
Key Duties and Accountabilities include:
● Ensure the deliverables of the CCX Operations Team are met in accordance with organizational goals and objectives.
● Establish and maintain agile operational structures and systems necessary for CCX's missions, including but not limited to finance, people management, procurement, IT and data management, business applications, corporate governance, and facilities management.
● Manage and supervise staff or contractors within the operations team to ensure effective performance, including roles such as Business Applications Manager, Finance and Office Manager, Data and HR Coordinator.
● Develop, implement, and maintain corporate policies, strategies, and procedures pertaining to finance, human resources, IT, data management, safeguarding, and governance.
● Ensure the capacity and capability to provide support services to CCX team and stakeholders, such as dioceses, church leaders, church planters, TEIs, and Together partners, by recruiting and retaining skilled personnel and providing necessary resources.
This is a full-time role (1 FTE)
There is an occupational requirement that the post-holder is a Christian under Part 1, Chapter 2, section 10 of the Equality Act 2010
We're looking for someone with experience of verging or similar church support work. Good social skills are essential as is the ability to work as part of a team as well as on your own inititiave. The ability to work closely with and relate well to all Cathedral staff, ministry team, congregation, volunteers, visitors, and members of the general public will also be required.
The two Assistant Vergers and Precinct Officers (AVPOs) carry out a wide range of duties under the direction of the Head Verger and Precinct Manager. Work includes: the careful setting up and delivery of all liturgical matters; ensuring a welcoming, clean, and safe environment for all working in, visiting, or using the Cathedral and Cathedral House and precinct and ensuring the day-to-day smooth running of the Cathedral for all.
Essential experience and skills
- Sympathy with the Christian faith.
- At least one year’s experience as a church or cathedral verger or in a similar role.
- A flexible attitude and willingness to take on a range of duties including practical ‘hands- on’ work.
- Attention to detail and an ability to assess priorities including when under pressure.
- Understanding of liturgy or willingness to learn.
- Ability to be a good team player and work collaboratively with Ministry Team, staff and volunteers.
- Willing to work alone.
- Good administrative and IT skills.
- Good understanding of the importance of security, maintenance and health and safety.
- Good social and communication skills.
- Have an open and welcoming attitude to all including volunteers and members of the general public.
- A trained First Aider (or willing to be trained upon appointment to an appropriate level).·
- Ability to work flexibly over seven days and evenings including holiday periods.
Desirable experience
- A communicant member of the Church of England.
- Previous experience in a liturgical capacity.
- Experience of working in an environment where paid and voluntary staff work side by side.
- Experience of delivering events.
- Experience of caretaking duties.
Personal qualities
- Excellent interpersonal skills, in particular warmth, tact, diplomacy, discretion, and imagination.
- In sympathy with the ethos and aims of the Cathedral as a Christian organisation.
- Highly collaborative.
- Ability to lift and carry furniture, climb stairs, walk, and stand unaided for significant periods of time and work at height.
- Ability to work with senior level colleagues and with the general public.
- Committed to equal opportunities and inclusivity.
- Committed to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding practice.
Benefits of working at Portsmouth Cathedral:
- Generous leave allowance of 27 days (pro rata for part-time posts) plus all public holidays
- Employer pension contributions of 7.5%
- Commitment to professional development and training.
- Cash health plan
Safeguarding. The Cathedral takes the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults very seriously, and practices Safer Recruitment for all roles (both paid and voluntary), enhanced DBS for specific roles, and face-to-face or online training as required.
Portsmouth Cathedral is an Equal Opportunities Employer and a member of Inclusive Church.
Closing date for applications: 23.00 Monday 6 May 2024
Interviews will be held week commencing 15 May 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Aid to the Church in Need is a Catholic charity, supporting persecuted and suffering Christians around the world.
Working alongside the existing Community Fundraiser in London, this role will engage with the Dioceses in Westminster, Brentford & East Anglia to establish and strengthen links to individual bishops and diocesan communications staff. Attend parishes to deliver weekend fundraising appeals as well as giving talks and presentations to parish groups.
Developing strong links for ACN with educational and pastoral networks in Schools, Colleges and Universities, building relationships and supporting them in delivering the ACN Schools Programme, boosting the take up of the programme, increasing school engagement and delivering assemblies in person and virtually.
A driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Margins Project, Union Chapel’s Frontline charity, work with people who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness and helps address pertinent social justice issues these communities face.
The charity runs three integrated programmes:
• a community drop-in programme providing access to nutritious hot meals, and limited access to showers & laundry services.
• advice and engagement programme providing one-to-one as well as group advice service on benefits and housing, and onward referrals to pertinent services.
• support employment programme offers a paid catering training to 10 people who have had experience of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, and or imprisonment.
Our range of services are designed to help guests (service users) at varying stages, from having no roof over their head to getting back into employment.
This role offers an opportunity for an experienced adviser to help shape and evolve Margins services. Experiences on the ground at the drop-in programme inform the charity’s strategic direction. The role will involve expanding our partner network to link into pertinent statutory and other charitable organisations that provide services that will help our guests with their housing, substance misuse, recidivism, and mental health challenges.
We work closely with people on an individual case work basis to get guests off the streets, into hostels or temporary accommodation where possible, and work with private and social landlords on a range of issues. We support and represent the people we work with on the phone and in person, including at the council, the doctors, the job centre, and benefits tribunals.
Our drop-ins run on Mondays and Wednesdays 11:00am to 1:00pm where attendance is currently from 65 to 75 guests. The advice and engagement worker works more intensively with smaller numbers of up to 20. The demand for more follow up work and advocacy support has been increasing over the last two years and this in-house advice worker is critical for this demand.
Working collaboratively with the Drop-in Community worker (currently vacant), the head chef, and a small group of dedicated volunteers, you will be responsible for the support of a caseload of guests, some with complex needs, and will undertake key work responsibilities including registering the guests, identifying their housing, benefit and personal needs and conducting all necessary follow ups including occasional advocacy support, where deemed necessary.
Job Title: ADVICE AND ENGAGEMENT WORKER
Responsible to: Head of Margins
Location: Margins Offices at Union Chapel, Islington, London
Salary: £32,500 - £35,000
Terms: Full time 37.5 hours per week with 1 hour unpaid for lunch.
Three-month probation, two months’ notice.
23 days annual leave + bank holidays. Workplace pension scheme (NEST)
Start date: May 2024
Purpose of Job:
• To advise and assist guests (service users) with benefit claims and related issues, e.g., Housing Benefit, DLA, PIP, Income Support, ESA, Universal Credit, and other benefits. In particular, assisting them to claim Housing Benefit and UC to reduce risk of rent arrears.
• To develop significant contact and liaison with comparable housing and benefits advice organisations.
• To encourage guests engage with Margins activities, and where practicable, with the wider Union Chapel activities.
• To develop, facilitate and deliver group advice workshops/training programmes and open discussions forums to engage guests who historically do not engage with Union Chapel.
• To Refer Margins guests to relevant internal and external services.
• In liaison with the head of Margins and the chef to refer potential candidates to Margins’ Supported Employment Programme.
The Advice and Engagement Worker will have an active role in identifying and engaging guests as well as referring potential candidates to the Supported Employment Programme, a programme anticipated to expand beyond its current services in Margins catering.
Responsible For:
• Working with caseload of guests
• With the support of drop-in services community worker (currently vacant) to ensure the smooth running of the drop-in services
• Identifying opportunities to improve services both at a project and organisational level.
• Assist the Head of Margins in ensuring that the Margins Project remains GDPR compliant.
• Represent the organisation effectively internally and externally.
• Working in partnership with statutory and other charities to deliver co-ordinated support to guests.
• Identify relevant training opportunities in capacity building.
• Initial liaison with and acting as the first referral contact for the Supported Employment Programme
Key Duties:
• To encourage and assist guests achieve the maximum income from benefits to which they are entitled to, and to refer to relevant support services such as mental health, social services, community support.
• To advise guests on basic budgeting and where applicable to refer to Tenancy Support Officers or outside agencies for more complex help.
• To liaise closely with local authorities, social, and private landlords to try to achieve the best outcome for our guests.
• To identify if the guest is accessioning the right benefit that will support their long-term wellbeing.
• To support newly arrived refugees with their housing and benefit advice needs.
• To actively assist guests with formal appeals against Local Authority, DWP and HMRC decisions regarding benefit entitlement. Representing at Appeal Tribunals.
• To signpost guests to resources that can assist them in finding work.
• When needed, signposting guests to specialist providers in mental health or drug and alcohol support services.
• To Support guests on paying their rent, including providing advice on benefits and debt management.
• To Address breaches of occupancy agreements and develop strategies that would prevent and avoid eviction.
• To assist guests with backdated claims for Benefit by supporting their applications through to completion.
• To ensure all guests’ files are up-to-date and that data is captured on our management system.
• To provide written reports and statistics as and when requested.
• To attend supervision, training, and meetings as and when required.
• To provide advocacy support to guests as and when required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
• Good knowledge of the benefits system, including Universal Credit.
• Experience of working with homeless and marginalised people and understanding of the issues that face them.
• Experience of working or collaborating with people with mental health issues.
• Experience of working with refugees and their needs.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviours.
• Embrace a strength-based approach.
• A clear understanding of professional boundaries.
• A knowledge of the best practice in Safeguarding Adult procedures.
• Excellent written and oral communication skill.
• Ability to work proactively as part of a team.
• Ability to plan, manage and action follow-ups on time and manage and contain workload.
• Proficient in IT skills and competence in Microsoft Office applications.
• Committed to personal and professional development through ongoing training.
Desirable:
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of providing advice to vulnerable groups
• Experience of delivering provision for the benefit of vulnerable backgrounds
Equal Opportunities:
• Ensure consistent and effective implementation of Union Chapel Equal Opportunities & Diversity policy and procedures.
• Positively promote an environment which respects and values the diversity of staff, volunteers, and Guests.
This is a guide to the nature of the work required of the Advice and Engagement Worker. It is therefore not comprehensive or restrictive and may be reviewed with the postholder and the line manager from time to time. The post holder may undertake any other reasonable duties within the capabilities and scope of the post as specified by their line manager. In such circumstances appropriate training will be provided.
How to apply
Please apply with your CV and a support statement, both no more than two pages, outlining your skills and experiences to meet the criteria of the role, why you want to work for Union Chapel Project and your availability to start with “Advice and Engagement Worker” in the subject line. Please also complete our Equal Opportunities Form.
Closing date: Tuesday 30 April 2024, 8am
Interviews will take place w/c 13 May 2024
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Title: Local Lay Pastor
Location of job: Hybrid role - Andover Methodist Church with opportunities for some home working
Job Type: Full-time (38 hours per week)
Contract Type: Permanent with initial funding for 3 years and subject to a 3‑month probationary period
Salary: £23,712 per annum
About the Role
Andover Methodist Church is a welcoming church in the centre of Andover. Our vision is to change Andover by being a community of love, of hope and of justice - Love like Jesus, Justice living like Jesus, Hope because of Jesus.
We are looking for someone who has a passion and expertise for establishing positive and productive relationships with families and a commitment to their participation in the life of the church. The main focus of this role will be to work with us to develop our pastoral care and work programme for children and families within the church. We have a desire to further extend our outreach into the local schools and community.
This role is an important part of promoting our vision to Andover and as such has a genuine occupational requirement that the post‑holder is a practising Christian (as outlined by 2010 Equality Act, Section 9).
This role will require a satisfactory Enhanced DBS disclosure & the completion of the Advanced Safeguarding training course of the Methodist Church.
The nature of this role necessitates flexible working hours, including evenings and weekends.
About You
You should have a nationally recognised qualification in Children’s, Youth or Community work or equivalent experience evidenced for the role.
You should have the ability to demonstrate an understanding of the Church’s work with families, especially knowledge of Safeguarding and child protection procedures.
You should have proven experience of working with children and families in a paid or voluntary capacity in previous roles. This is an essential criteria.
You should have excellent people skills (both adult and youth), good organisational ability and be adept at creative thinking.
You should have a professional and positive approach, with a commitment to professional development and self‑improvement. Undertaking Core Skills Family Ministries Training will be an early opportunity to demonstrate this.
It is important that you are able to demonstrate awareness of, and sensitivity to, issues of equality, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to working with families from a diverse range of backgrounds and needs.
Our Culture, Values and Benefits
Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming church that strives to be a community of love, of hope and of justice. We value and support all who join our team through a positive work‑life balance augmented by generous annual leave and TOIL. We offer an occupational pension scheme to which you will be auto‑enrolled and to which we will also contribute.
We are an inclusive and affirming church. We welcome all people regardless of their sexuality, gender identity, ethnicity, background or disability. We are registered for same-sex marriage and celebrate our diversity in Christ.
N.B. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive sufficient applications. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Closing date: 30th April 2024
Interview Date: 23rd May 2024
Please complete the application form and the equality and diversity monitoring form and return them to the email address detailed on page 2 of the application form
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Saint Paul’s Hammersmith – Community Pastor Job Description
Job Title Community Pastor
Responsible to Senior Pastor
Liaises with Saint Paul’s staff and congregation, external organisations, community and council bodies, Café team, and the public.
Work Location Saint Paul’s Hammersmith
Saint Paul’s is a dynamic church at the centre of our capital city, London. We have a vision to Encounter God and Awaken the City. Our desire is to become a white-hot centre of faith, where people can meet with God and learn what it means to be empowered by His Spirit in their everyday lives. We inspire our congregation to see God’s Kingdon come here on earth as it is in heaven, wherever He has called them to live, work and play their part in awakening our city with the good news of Jesus. If we have any particular emphasis after being a community who honour and seek God’s presence, it’s to empower the emerging generation as we pass on the baton of faith and raise up disciples who will lead and influence in every sphere of society.
The successful candidate will approach the role of Community Pastor with a clear passion and understanding of the theory of change that sits behind our vision. We wholeheartedly believe that as people encounter God, they will then be transformed and able to awaken the city through the power of His Spirit at work in them. Therefore, we intend for all our City Transformation work to help give people access to an encounter with God. This will happen in several ways, and most commonly we expect that the love, kindness and grace demonstrated in and through our various initiatives will provoke an interest in encountering God whatever background or context a person is coming from.
Overall Purpose of Role
In your role as Community Pastor, you will lead, innovate, and add momentum and direction to all of our local Community Outreach work at Saint Paul’s Hammersmith. You will strategically represent the church with external stakeholders, help to create key partnerships within the community, whilst building and empowering a dynamic and vibrant volunteer culture within the Saint Paul’s congregation.
You will oversee our Community Café and lead on all our community outreach programmes across Hammersmith, including our Community Hub, Café Concert and Love Christmas Project.
We are looking for someone with a proven track record in building volunteer teams, supporting key leaders and the ability to develop collaborative relationships with external organisations, charities and grant making bodies. You will enjoy the challenge and opportunity of a fast-paced environment, where teamwork is essential but where individual skills and distributed leadership are also required.
You will also be an ambassador for Love Your Neighbour (LYN) which is part of a national movement of churches collaborating in local communities, alongside people of all faiths and none to support individuals and families in need. This will involve being part of the LYN Hub Accelerator Programme, to help Saint Paul’s refine our vision and impact in this area of social transformation.
Key Responsibilities
- Effective coordination of our City Transformation ministry.
- Ensuring that our projects are meeting the needs of our community.
- Reaching out to those in crisis to help people access places of care, both inside and outside of Saint Paul’s, and helping people access programmes that address the root cause of crisis.
- Co-ordinating and implementing our vision to become a Love Your Neighbour hub that makes a long-term impact through social transformation and helping to implement our 5-year strategy for Social Transformation.
- Oversight of our Saint Paul’s Community Café and vision and strategy on scaling the café.
- Acting as an ambassador for and developing relationships with our partner charities, Spear and Crosslight to ensure that their ministries are well supported and integrated into the life of Saint Paul’s.
- With the support of our Operations Manager and using existing Love Your Neighbour impact measurement systems, collecting data and carrying out regular impact measurement to create reports for church leadership, PCC and funding partners.
- Key Lead and point person for Adult Safeguarding and sitting on the Saint Paul’s Safeguarding Team.
- Termly line-management and connection with our volunteer chaplains, chaplain to St Vincents Care Home, and chaplain to St Paul’s Primary School.
- Recruiting, training, supporting, and investing in a volunteer team to enable wide participation in our City Transformation ministry.
- Networking and building relationships with charitable organisations, churches, public sector organisations and other key stakeholders.
- Maximising opportunities for all ministry areas within the church to be involved in social transformation ministry.
- Responsibility for identifying and following through with grant applications and reporting.
You will also oversee the existing social action projects run by Saint Paul’s, namely;
Cafe Concerts
Our monthly Cafe Concerts were established in the Spring of 2023, aimed at creating a uniquely multi-generational open door for the local community to enjoy a morning of world-class music, coffee, cake, and a warm welcome. We now regularly host between 60-70 people, including local asylum seekers, residents from St Vincents care home, all alongside our growing Stay and Play community of Mums and Toddlers who join the Cafe Concert.
Community Hub
The Community Hub was created in 2023 to support those who are experiencing loneliness. There is a hot meal provided, as well as kids activities and lots of space for conversation. There have been seven Community Hubs in 2023, with over 500 guests (including many asylum seekers based in local hotels) and a 30-person volunteer team. We have supported in a variety of ways, including writing references, providing clothes and most importantly, forming friendships with people.
Love Christmas
In December 2023, we partnered with Love Christmas to pack and deliver more than 720 Bags of Kindness to our local community, with the help of 30 volunteers. The combination of donations raised from within our congregation, and match funding from Love Your Neighbour enabled us to show practical love and care to some of the most vulnerable in our local area. You will be responsible for overseeing and developing this project.
You will also helping to establish new initiatives as the need arises, in collaboration with the Senior Team. This might include a breakfast club for children at our local school, Kids Matter, and Recovery Groups/ courses that will have a missional outworking and community focus.
Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience
You will be flexible and able to work dynamically to respond to needs as they arise whilst keeping a strategic eye on upcoming opportunities and challenges. You will use your experience in social action to review the needs of your community and offer tailor-made services in response to them, it will involve partnering with others in the community and being entrepreneurial and forward thinking in how to tackle the issue of poverty and local need.
· Active engagement in Saint Paul’s Hammersmith church life/community.
· Excellent communication skills both written and oral
· Understanding of and alignment with the Saint Paul’s vision and the associated ministries.
· The ability to develop positive and professional relationships - internally and with third parties.
· Personal maturity, wisdom, and discretion – acts with integrity and models Christ-like values.
· Flexible, adaptable, ‘can do’ attitude, offers solutions to problems.
· Customer-facing skills, dealing confidently with a diverse range of clients and visitors.
· Ability to seek clarification, adapt approach to resolve (or avoid) conflict and manage complaints and/or challenging requests.
· Strong attention to detail.
· Ability to multi-task and prioritise using excellent time-management skills.
· Intermediate skills in IT and MS Office suite, database applications, calendar management etc.
· Active listening skills and ability to understand employee needs in a sensitive manner.
Working Requirements
- Proof of right to work in the UK according to UK Legislation.
- Days of work: 35 hours per week, Sunday – Thursday, with some occasional evening and Saturday working as required (TOIL given).
- Work hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm with a one-hour unpaid lunch break. Flexible working on Sundays to accommodate various services.
Key church services and events
· Key church events: Annual Parochial Church Meeting, Church Weekend, and some evening events.
· Easter and Christmas services.
· Staff events: Staff retreat (typically 1 week in January)
· Attendance at Tuesday morning staff meeting
Package
· Annual salary of £28k – £32k depending on experience.
· 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
· Employer pension contribution
· Annual staff retreat at an offsite location.
· Important note: Many roles require candidates to be DBS checked (Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate) up to the appropriate level as a condition of employment.
Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 8th May, with Interviews being held on Wednesday 15th May
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.