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.

The post holder will play an integral role in the Reconciliation Team in delivering the objectives of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s reconciliation ministry, helping to ensure the work of the team is efficiently run, outward looking and accessible to its wide variety of stakeholders.

The reconciliation team works across many levels to support the ministry of reconciliation, including working with senior leaders, churches, Non-Government Organisations (NGO’s) and multilateral organisations. It resources reconciliation work in grassroots, everyday encounters and in national agreements aimed at reducing violent conflict.

The team focuses on three key areas; supporting churches in areas of political and violent conflict; supporting women in provinces and dioceses across the Anglican Communion; and the Reconciling Leaders Network, which has developed Difference, with the purpose of mobilising a generation to live out their calling as peacemakers and reconcilers, pursing a just and flourishing world.

As Programme Coordinator and Executive Assistant you will provide high quality organisational, administrative and project management support to the Reconciliation Team, as well as assistance to the Reconciling Leaders Network (RLN) Director and act as a central contact for the team.

You will perform an essential coordinating role within the Reconciliation Team, working closely with colleagues at Lambeth Palace and communicating with a range of internal teams and external organisations.

The working hours for this post will be 35 hours per week. You will be based for a minimum of 3 days per week in a friendly, busy office in unique surroundings at Lambeth Palace and we are happy to offer flexibility and hybrid working. We work as a small and close-knit team and support each other at busy periods. The working arrangements will be discussed further at interview.

This post is offered as a fixed term contract expected to last for 3 years, subject to review.

To arrange an informal conversation please contact hello@rln.global

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 the Archbishops. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we particularly welcome applicants from UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities.

We also invite interest from those with excellent experience in a number of areas that may not meet every criteria.

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

Reconciliation Team support/coordination & administration

• Responsibility for planning, organising and executing all logistical and hospitality arrangements related to the Archbishop’s Reconciliation Ministry at Lambeth Palace, including for events, meetings and functions.
• Research and write briefs for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s reconciliation meetings, including compiling background and developing a working knowledge of the Archbishop’s reconciliation expertise and experience.
• Coordinate the Reconciliation Team’s meetings, including making submissions for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s annual diary process, and delivering timely organisation of briefs and logistics, working with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Manage and prioritise enquiries, acting as an effective gatekeeper and first point of contact for the Reconciliation Team. Including managing the Difference/RLN inbox – logging and responding to emails. Handling confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Organise central filing systems, processing all documents for filing and records.
• Provide pro-active administrative support to the team, including taking minutes, transcripts, records management, expenses, meeting logistics, room booking and travel arrangements.
• When applicable, organising international travel logistics for team members.

RLN & Difference Programme support/project management

• Work closely with the RLN Director to assist the production of project and annual planning, producing supporting documents and implementing planning processes.
• Project manage specific projects as set by the RLN Director.
• Collate, track and monitor data on RLN key performance indicators, drawing up impact reports and presentations.
• Support administration for the governance of Reconciling Leaders Network, including paperwork and files for charity commission.
• Implement and monitor compliance of policies and procedures, such as GDPR, license agreements etc.
• Research and coordinate tender processes for external suppliers, consultants and agencies, including processing the contract approvals and agreements.
• Manage enquires and tasks for printing and distributing Difference resources.
• Provide digital support where needed including copy editing, management of video and photography files. (WeTransfer, Dropbox, and MailChimp).

Director support and assistance

• Work closely with the RLN Director in a supportive role, for example following up actions from meetings, maintaining and supporting key external and internal relationships, project managing specific initiatives, as well as providing administrative support.
• Draft reports for key stakeholders, such as senior management and board trustees, as well as grant applications for funding bodies. Proof read & edit important reports and copy.
• Undertake research for the Reconciliation Team directors on particular subjects, initiating research where necessary.
• Support both Reconciliation Team directors in budget management, including processing and recording invoices, reconciling finance documents and accounts, liaising regularly with accounts management.

All staff 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:

• Good working knowledge of Office 365, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Good judgement in understanding and dealing with urgent and complex matters, with conflicting priorities, across a wide range of issues.
• Identifying key internal and external stakeholders and keeping them appropriately consulted and informed.
• Efficient and diplomatic, with strong interpersonal skills; ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Capacity to assimilate and assess complex information in detail whilst retaining a good overview.
• Well organised, taking initiative, with the ability to adapt plans quickly and creatively in response to change, working calmly under pressure.
• Confident to give and take feedback and raise issues and concerns;
• Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, including with senior clergy across the Anglican Communion.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience of organising and managing projects, programmes and initiatives to a high standard.
• Proven ability in managing busy diaries, correspondence, and papers for a manager;
• Experience of dealing with a wide range of people in the course of work, including at senior level.

Personal Attributes:

• Skills and gifts to think creatively and be stimulated by challenges/new projects.
• Sense of responsibility that ensures output of a consistently high standard with fast response;
• Positive attitude to relational and team working, proactive approach to problem solving

Education:

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

Desirable

• Experience in areas of focus for Difference, these include young people, prisons, interfaith, racial justice and schools.
• Ability to speak additional languages.
• Awareness of and interest in national and international politics and societal issues.
• An understanding of the work of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Church of England generally.

In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.-.

Find out more about working for National Church Institutions

Our emerging values

• We strive for excellence
• We collaborate
• We act with integrity
• We show compassion
• We respect others

We welcome everyone and we accept and value people for who they are and what they contribute, treating others in the way we would wish to be treated ourselves. We actively listen to and include others, encouraging and enabling everyone’s voice to be heard in discussions and decisions. When we disagree, we aim to disagree well with respect and kindness.

We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you. If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org.

• As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.
• We are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.