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 Independent Safeguarding Board was established to provide scrutiny of the Church of England’s safeguarding work by independent members. We also advise the Church more widely on safeguarding matters. The Independent Safeguarding Board currently exists within the structure of the National Church Institutions with oversight from the Archbishops’ Council. The Board is working on proposals to enhance the independence of its work, in cooperation with the NCIs and the wider Church community, in order to improve and embed a model of independent scrutiny of safeguarding within the Church of England.

The National Safeguarding Team provides professional safeguarding advice to the Church of England including the development and implementation of national policy, training, quality assurance and audit, and work with survivor groups. The NST also leads complex casework and supports dioceses in their safeguarding of children and adults.

As Project and Administration Officer, you will provide high-quality project and business support to the Independent Safeguarding Board, which includes managing diaries and meetings.

This will be a fast-paced role working in an environment which is undergoing significant change and development. Having initiative, problem-solving skills and the ability to recognise both the bigger picture and the detail will be essential in this role.

You will also act as the first point of contact for the ISB, and this includes interfacing with all that seek guidance and wish to engage with the ISB.

The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. 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.

Please note that this role is being offered on a part-time basis working 17.5 hours a week.

This role will require a basic DBS check.

For an informal conversation please contact russell.dunscombe@independent-safeguarding.org

Interviews will be held on the 25th April 2023.

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

Project Support:

• Maintaining project management documentation, frameworks and tools, and supporting colleagues to use these consistently and effectively.
• Contributing to the development of project documentation by liaising with relevant stakeholders.
• Maintenance of project plans, RAID logs, task logs, benefits logs, including allocation of work packages where appropriate and liaising with stakeholders on actions progress.
• Maintaining central project records and maintaining project controls, keeping the project team members aware of the project status and any outstanding/overdue tasks.
• Conducting research and creating presentation resources for Board members and staff.
• Drafting communications and papers for Board members and staff.
• Lead on aspects of project development as directed by the Business Manager. This may include consultation planning or procurement of services.
• Providing project support and administration to any projects the ISB may undertake.

General Administrative Support:

• Provide consistent and high-quality administrative support to the ISB.
  • Create, maintain and take on accountability for the accuracy of the financial trackers for ISB expenditure and communicate with finance colleagues, contractors and suppliers to ensure invoices are paid on time.
  • Coordinate the production of Board meeting papers and agendas, communication with members and invitees and take minutes at formal meetings.
  • Coordinate ISB meetings and catch ups.
  • Lead on the organisation and logistics of events and conferences, including virtual events.
  • Support Board and team members to follow up on actions, requests and communications.

• Assist with setting up all necessary systems and processes.
• Ensure members of the NST and ISB are updated appropriately on matters arising.
  • Develop, manage and review the ISB website and social media accounts in liaison with members of the ISB and the Communications team.
  • Provide administrative support to the procurement and commissioning of external support for the ISB.
  • Provide day-to-day management of documents, including maintaining high levels of confidentiality and version control.

Customer Service:

• Ensure that a good quality customer service response is provided to a range of different stakeholders including senior clergy, survivors of abuse and safeguarding professionals.
• Manage calls and all email communications from survivors and safeguarding professionals, ensuring that such calls are responded to appropriately and recorded.

The Requirements

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Highly IT literate and proficient with common applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint as well as web-based applications
• Keen to learn new project management and statistical software packages.
• Strong initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Highly organised, proactive and able to plan ahead.
• Ability to produce accurate work, with an eye for detail.
• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for a range of audiences.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of individuals, including those who are survivors of abuse.
• Ability to reprioritise tasks and work to tight deadlines and to be flexible to the needs of the ISB.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience of working in a role requiring a sensitive and considerate approach.
• Experience of acting in administrative and project support.
• Experience of setting up new systems and processes.
• Effective development and management of relationships with a range of people.
• Experience of diary, meeting and events administration.

Personal Attributes:

• Problem-solving approach to work.
• Passionate about contributing to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
• Demonstrates personal initiative.
• Understanding and empathy for the mission of the Church of England.
• Ability to understand appropriate boundaries.

Desirable

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience of working in a setting with either children and families or vulnerable adults, for instance local authority, social care or NHS settings.
• Knowledge of safeguarding.

Circumstances:

• This role may include some national travel for away days and to support events.

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 at Careers | The Church of England

Our 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.