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 Archbishops' Advisers for Appointments and Vocations team is a key team within the Office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, supporting and advising the Archbishops and the wider Church on the appointments process for senior clergy. The team’s work supports the Crown Nominations Commission in identifying new Diocesan Bishops; those involved in appointing Suffragan Bishops; and the selection panels who nominate new cathedral Deans. The team also supports senior clergy in their vocation and discernment, working closely with the Ministry Development team to ensure that senior clergy are equipped for the Church of England’s missional challenges and for the vital role it plays in the life of the nation.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a small, friendly, committed, professional and busy team working on a complex, detailed and fast-paced portfolio of senior appointments and associated projects.

We work as a close-knit team in beautiful surroundings, part of the Lambeth Palace community and Office of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, supporting each other with care, flexibility and good humour.

As Recruitment Coordinator you will provide high quality support to the busy programme of work of the Archbishops’ Advisers for Appointments and Vocations team, leading on the organisation of specific appointments and to help with the administration of the work of the wider team.

In what is expected to be an exceptional busy period for senior clergy appointments, this post is offered for a fixed-term period of 12 months (with the possibility of extension) to support the team in planning, coordinating and delivering the anticipated programme of work.

As this is a new role in the team, the responsibilities may develop over time and you should be comfortable with ongoing innovation and change.

The working hours for this post will be 35 hours per week however we are happy to offer flexibility and hybrid working. The working arrangements are expected to include 2 days per week based at Lambeth Palace and the rest of the week to be worked remotely, however flexibility will be needed to attend the office as required, to provide the full range of support needed. The post-holder may, on occasion, need to travel around the Dioceses of the Church of England, as well as undertake some evening work.

To arrange an informal conversation about the role please contact liz.dore@churchofengland.org

A shortlisting assessment is expected to be held remotely between 15 - 17 February 2023.

Interviews will be held in London on 28 February 2023.

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 would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minority Ethnic Backgrounds and disabled people.

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

• Supporting the planning and delivery of senior appointments processes, forward planning and delivering against agreed policies and processes.
• Engaging carefully and efficiently with candidates and appointment panels involved with senior appointment processes, making sure they are properly supported and briefed.
• Complex and efficient recruitment programme planning involving multiple stakeholders with competing demands and requirements.

• Managing and prioritising communications, whether by phone, e-mail, letter or in person, drafting high-quality and timely responses.
• Building and maintaining effective and professional relationships with key contacts and their offices.

• Organising high-quality events and meetings.
• Drafting briefs for meetings and official engagements.
• Researching issues and projects relating to the work of the team.
• Drafting and keeping updated documents, reports, policies and other material.
• Drafting and developing communications for internal and external use.
• Providing committee support, drafting agendas, taking high quality and timely minutes at meetings, following-up and tracking progress on actions.
• Working with and supporting colleagues in proactively keeping under review the administration of the team, assisting with the development of systems and processes to enable increased efficiency and effectiveness.
• Supporting effective and secure record keeping and information management.
• Receiving and greeting visitors and being an ambassador for the wider team in welcoming guests.

A comprehensive and supportive induction, and ongoing training, programme will be put in place for the post holder to ensure that they have all the information, access and contacts required to quickly acclimatise and excel in this role.

The Requirements

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Excellent knowledge of IT, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, the internet, a networked computer system and the ability to use IT to find creative solutions.
• Experience of using databases and the ability to navigate them effectively.
• Excellent word processing skills and proof reading.
• Strong sense of responsibility that the work issued is of a consistently high standard, with fast response times.
• Comfortable working in an environment where high levels of confidentiality (both internally and externally) will be required alongside sensitivity, tact and diplomacy.
• Emotionally intelligent with the ability to respond sensitively and pastorally.
• Excellent judgement in understanding and dealing with urgent and complex matters across a wide range of issues.
• Enthusiastic, proactive and forward thinking with highly effective planning skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with an understanding of the importance and effectiveness of good communication.
• Ability to draft and prepare high-quality, accurate correspondence, briefs and other material as required.
• Highly focussed, process orientated, organised and methodical with the ability to identify, resolve and cope with conflicting priorities and projects.
• A self-starter, able to use initiative and good judgement.
• Resilient and able to work calmly under pressure.
• Flexibility with the ability to adapt plans quickly in response to change.
• Strong collaboration and team working skills.
• Innovative and creative, with the ability to create and implement new processes and systems to improve efficiency.
• Outstanding attention to detail.

Knowledge/Experience:

• High level of interpersonal and social skills, experience of, and confidence in, dealing with a wide range of people in the course of work, including at senior level.
• Knowledge of the structures of the Church of England, its ministry and the role it plays in the life of the nation.
• An interest in recruitment and senior clergy appointments in the Church of England.
• Experience of preparing papers for committees, planning high-quality events and meetings.
• Experience of project and programme management techniques.

Education:

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

Desirable

• Experience of a human resources environment, particularly recruitment.
• A project management qualification and/or experience in project and programme management.

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 the National Church Institutions by visiting Careers | The Church of England

NCI 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.