Our aim is for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

This post offers an excellent opportunity to work in a small, friendly, busy office, in unusual and pleasant surroundings. The staff members at Lambeth Palace work as a small and close-knit team and support each other at busy periods with flexibility and good humour.

As Executive Assistant to the Bishop at Lambeth (Metropolitical), you will provide high quality support to the Bishop at Lambeth particularly focussed on the day to day coordination of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s metropolitical responsibilities for the Southern Province of the Church of England.

Together with the ability to understand complex Church legal issues and prepare accurate correspondence, reports, papers and other material as required, you will provide regular project and administrative support on areas that fall within the Bishop at Lambeth’s portfolio, working in collaboration with the Executive Assistant (Episcopal).

You will be based at Lambeth Palace although currently, employees are working remotely due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. This is a priority for Archbishop Justin. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minority Ethnic Backgrounds and disabled people.

Interviews will be held remotely on the 19th February 2021 using Zoom.

In return we offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.

The Role

Metropolitical

• In accordance with the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986, ensure that candidates are presented to benefices of which the Archbishop is patron, either in his own right or by lapse.
• In accordance with the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003, to compile and keep under review the list of all those in Holy Orders on whom a penalty of censure has been imposed, to administer this list digitally and deal with any related correspondence or administrative work.
• To provide advice and administrative support to the Archbishop in respect of those who have completed their Limited Prohibition from ministry.
• In accordance with the Clergy (Ordination) Measure 1990, process applications for Faculties to allow those who are divorced and remarried to be ordained, notwithstanding the impediment imposed by Canon C4. To assess applications and advise the Archbishop accordingly. In general, to advise the Archbishop, bishops and Diocesan Directors of Ordinands (DDOs) with regard to candidates for ordination needing Faculties, and to report to the General Synod, as requested.
• To process and advise on requests from members of Religious Communities for release from their vows.
• After consultation as appropriate, respond to enquiries and requests for Special Marriage Licences and permissions under the Overseas and Other Clergy (Ministry and Ordination) Measure 1967.
• To provide specialist advise to colleagues at Lambeth Palace on the full spectrum of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Metropolitical responsibilities.
• To provide specialist project support in respect of projects at Lambeth Palace or the NCIs which interact with the Archbishop’s metropolitical portfolio. To develop and deliver, as necessary, training in respect of such projects.
• In cooperation with the Executive Assistant (Episcopal), ensure the proper maintenance of Personnel Files (Blue Files) of the Archbishop’s comprovincial bishops, and those clergy ministering in the Armed Forces, on the Falkland Islands and at Lambeth Palace.
• To provide advice on, and oversee the provision of, Permission to Officiate for staff at Lambeth Palace.
• Advise members of the public concerning parochial matters, occasional services and any other matters that may arise within this specialist portfolio.
• Proactively reviewing the administration of the metropolitical portfolio and bring forward systems and processes to enable increased efficiency and effectiveness.
• Maintaining an effective records management system for the metropolitical portfolio, following the appropriate policies for this area.

Bishop at Lambeth

• To provide regular project support on areas that fall within the Bishop at Lambeth’s portfolio, as required.
• Working closely with and provide administrative support to the Bishop at Lambeth to ensure that the Bishop is staffed in a consistent and smooth fashion, in cooperation with the Executive Assistant (Episcopal).
• Maintaining paper and electronic filing and ensuring the safe and secure storage of confidential material.
• Assist the Bishop at Lambeth with the handing and processing of correspondence and telephone communication in collaboration with the Executive Assistant (Episcopal).

Other

• The team at Lambeth Palace works closely and collaboratively, providing assistance across portfolio areas at times when extra capacity is needed. As such, an important part of this role will be to join the wider ‘pool’ of Executive/Personal Assistant support helping out other team areas as required and as capacity allows.
• All employees working at Lambeth Palace share responsibility to promote and maintain a strong safeguarding culture with regard to children and vulnerable adults, including identifying the key actions they should take given their role and responsibilities.

The Requirements

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Experience of MS Word, Outlook, Excel and the internet, as well as a networked computer system.
• Excellent word processing skills, with minimum and accurate typing speed of 50 wpm.
• Sense of responsibility that the work issued is of a consistently high standard with fast response times.
• Highly discreet and diplomatic, with a can-do attitude.
• Exceptional judgement in understanding and dealing with urgent and complex matters across a wide range of issues.
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing.
• Experience of drafting and preparing correspondence, briefs, papers and other material, as required.
• Exceptionally well organised and methodical, with the ability to cope with conflicting priorities.
• A self-starter, able to use initiative and good judgement.
• Ability to quickly assimilate large amounts of complex information, and disseminate in a clear, concise fashion as required.
• Proven ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Able to adapt plans quickly in response to change.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as a member of a team.
• Ability to advise colleagues at Lambeth Palace, the wider Church of England and members of the public accurately and effectively across a wide range of complex issues.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Knowledge of ecclesiastical legal matters, or the proven ability to quickly develop the knowledge required to deal efficiently with this complex brief.
• Experience of dealing with a wide range of people in the course of work, including at senior level and members of the public.
• An interest in and knowledge of the work of the Archbishop’s ministry and the work and structures of the Church of England generally.

Education:

• Education to at least ‘A’ level standard or equivalent relevant experience.

Circumstances:

• Whilst the NCIs are committed to wellbeing and work/life balance, a willingness and availability to occasionally work outside normal office hours is required, on occasion.

Desirable

• Negotiation skills.
• Awareness of and interest in national and international politics and societal issues.
• Experience of handling a legal brief, or brief of similar complexity of that of the postholder.

We in the National Church Institutions support the mission and ministries of the Church all over England. We work with parishes, dioceses (regional offices), schools, other ministries and our partners at a national and international level.

Excellence, Respect, Integrity

We follow these three values in everything we do, whether we are of Christian faith, another faith or no faith. To learn more about working for National Church Institutions and our benefits, please click here

As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.

As a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, we welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and to ensuring that everyone, job applicants, customers and other people with whom we deal, are treated fairly and not subject to discrimination. We will do whatever is necessary to provide genuine equality of opportunity. We continuously review our policies and processes to support our aim to create a workforce as diverse as the nation the Church of England serves..

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