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 Ministry Development Team is responsible for supporting the vocation, discernment, formation and ministry of all serving in a Ministerial Vocation in the Church of England. A new Deputy Director of the Ministry Development Team has been appointed. In addition, a new Director has recently been appointed but there will be a period of vacancy and the Deputy Director will, for a short period have responsibilities as Acting Director.

Please note this role is being offered on a fixed-term contract for 4 months with the possibility of extension.

As Personal Assistant and Administrator, you will facilitate the work and support the priorities of the Deputy Director in this transitional phase.

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.

For an informal conversation please contact helen.fraser@churchofengland.org

Closing date for applications will be on Thursday 1st June 2023.

Interviews will be held on Thursday 8th June 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

Facilitating the work and supporting the priorities of the Deputy Director (DD) of the Ministry Development Team as follows:

• Proactively managing diary of the DD including making appointments, room bookings, hospitality and travel arrangements, keeping space for preparation and follow up work and being reactive to urgent demand.
• Assisting DD with communications including phone, email, letter and in person ensuring timely responses to stakeholders and appropriate record keeping.
• Producing draft correspondence and documentation.
• Dealing professionally, tactfully and responsively with enquiries from across the church and beyond.
• Providing administrative assistance to the DD (and on occasion other members of the Vocations and Planning Team when additional capacity is needed).
• Event management including booking venues, overseeing and managing bookings and communicating with participants/ delegates.
• Organising meetings, preparing agendas, inviting attendees, booking venues and taking notes or formal minutes as required.
• Managing contact and distribution lists and other databases.
• Offering a warm, friendly and professional presence online and in person and on occasion offering hospitality.
• Developing and maintaining good relationships with colleagues in other parts of the NCIs.
• Other support and administrative tasks as reasonably required.

The Requirements

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Excellent written and spoken communication skills including accurate spelling and grammar as well as diplomacy and tact.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent word processing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Highly organised and methodical with the ability to manage conflicting priorities.
• Ability to work calmly under pressure.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience in managing diaries, correspondence and papers for a senior manager.
• Some knowledge of the Church of England.

Personal Attributes:

• Good judgement in understanding and dealing with urgent and complex matters across a wide range of issues.

Education:

• Education to A-level or equivalent.

Circumstances:

• The Deputy Director works in Church House about once a week and it would be helpful if the postholder could mirror those working arrangements. Otherwise the role can be office based or working from home.

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.