Canterbury Diocese is the oldest diocese in England, stretching from Maidstone to Thanet, the Isle of Sheppey to the Romney Marsh. We have 350 miles of coastline with historic ports and seaside resorts, alongside rural communities, market towns and commuter-belt urban developments. Affluent areas often sit alongside pockets of major deprivation, offering an exciting and challenging mission context.

The Bishop of Dover, Bishop Rose Hudson-Wilkin, holds the additional title of "Bishop in Canterbury" and is empowered to act almost as if the Bishop of Dover were the diocesan bishop of Canterbury, since the actual diocesan bishop, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is based at Lambeth Palace in London, and thus is frequently away from the diocese, fulfilling national and international duties.

Bishop Rose has many competing demands on her time and availability as the only bishop working day-to-day in the Diocese. She also has a high profile nationally and internationally due to a high level of interest in England’s first female black bishop.

As Office Administrator & PA to Archbishop of Canterbury, you will support the ministry of the Bishop of Dover through a highly effective and efficient administrative function. You will help enable that ministry by providing administrative support to all elements of the office work.

You will manage the administration process relating to those seeking Permission to Officiate: retired clergy and other non-licensed ministers seeking to serve in the diocese.

You will provide general administrative, facilities and practical assistance to the Old Palace. Much of this work will be cyclical and associated with the needs of the archbishop’s household including especially when the archbishop is in residence.

This role is offered on a part-time, permanent basis.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact Revd Richard Braddy (Chaplain to the Bishop of Dover): richard.braddy@bishcant.org

Interviews are expected to be held on Thursday 16th June and Friday 17th June.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Archbishop of Canterbury and Old Palace

• Be a key point of liaison for members of the Archbishop’s household and assist with the preparation of the Old Palace to help oversee all elements of opening up and close down procedures covering periods of household residence.
• Be prepared to adapt hours and work extra when the Archbishop is working in Canterbury.
• Act as the local point of contact for the Archbishop’s staff and household to assist them with administration, the sharing of local information and guest catering arrangements when the Archbishop is (or is due to be) in residence.
• Liaise with key contacts to help facilitate visits and guests to the Old Palace working with contacts at the Cathedral, Diocese, Cathedral Lodge and the Cathedral Constabulary.
• Oversee the diary for the Old Palace liaising with Lambeth Palace, the Bishop’s Office, the Church Commissioners and contractors to schedule maintenance visits and regular upkeep arrangements.

The Bishop’s Office

• Provide administrative support to the work of the office as required, in particular with relation to the work of the Bishop’s two EAs and the Chaplain to the Bishop.
• Assist with the maintenance of highly effective electronic and paper filing systems, data, databases and other records storage in line with Safeguarding and GDPR principles.
• Prepare, process and monitor records and applications regarding the Permission to Officiate arrangements.
• Assist, as requested, in arrangements for various meetings and social events including official hospitality and sharing in the welcoming of visitors to the Bishop’s Office.
• Build excellent working relationships with all those with whom the Bishop’s Office comes into contact by responding to a wide range of enquiries in a warm and friendly manner either in person or by directing enquirers to the appropriate sources of information.
• Assist with the improving ways of working and consistent information flow including liaising with the Bishop’s Office team, Diocesan Offices, Lambeth Palace other Bishops, dioceses, and clergy nationally; the Bishoprics and Church Commissioners.

Other

• Undertake other appropriate duties as commensurate with the role as required.

This list is not exhaustive and is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Proven interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly establish and maintain excellent working relationships with officers/post holders and a wide range of people.
• An understanding of the importance of following accurate set legal and formal procedures.
• Good IT skills.
• Demonstrates thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a very high standard.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and solve problems efficiently and effectively.
• Efficient and quick at dealing with requests.
• Able to work flexibly, both in terms of time and responsibilities.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Proven ability of working effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Good interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with the ability to deal with people of all levels with confidence and respect.
• Excellent prioritisation skills.
• Be in sympathy with the mission and ethos of the Christian Church, the Church of England, the Diocese of Canterbury and the vision and values of our church schools.

ABOUT US

About the Diocese: The Diocese of Canterbury is the oldest diocese in England, stretching from Maidstone to Thanet, the Isle of Sheppey to the Romney Marsh. We have 350 miles of coastline with historic ports and seaside resorts, alongside rural communities, market towns and commuter-belt urban developments. Affluent areas often sit alongside pockets of major deprivation, offering an exciting and challenging mission context.

At the heart of all we do is a vision of transformation for ourselves and our communities: no one can encounter God and remain unchanged. In the Diocese of Canterbury, we want to increasingly become a Christian community transformed through encounter with Christ, growing and overflowing to transform and bless the families, homes and communities we serve: Changed Lives - Changing Lives.

About the Archbishop of Canterbury (ABC): The ABC is the Bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury, the Metropolitan (senior) Bishop of the Province of Canterbury (29 Dioceses), the Primate of All England (senior Bishop) and the senior Bishop of the global Anglican Communion (AC). The AC is about 80 million people in 165 countries comprising 5 global regions and 41 Provinces each with a Primate. Its typical member is a woman in the global south on less than US$4 per day, and likely to be in a zone of conflict and/or persecution. The ABC is also the senior non-Royal in England and the senior person in Parliament. S/He has significant responsibilities internationally. The See (Diocese) of Canterbury is the Mother See of the AC, and is looked to as a major Christian centre.

The Old Palace has been the home of the ABC when in Canterbury since the 10th Century. The household may be at the Old Palace for 60-80 days a year (about 20 weekends; a week or 10 days around Christmas and also Easter; overnight with groups of 10-12 people at other times; and one or two weeks working there). The ABC may also holiday there. Work there will vary but will normally include significant entertaining.

Once every few years (about 10) the Lambeth Conference will take place in Canterbury with up to 700 Bishops and their spouses. The next Conference is July 26th – August 7th 2022.

More about the Diocese and Bishop Rose:

More about the Diocese of Canterbury: http://Diocese of Canterbury and about Bishop Rose https://www.canterburydiocese.org/our-life/our-people/bishop-rose/