THE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
MANAGING EMPLOYER: THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
(IN HIS CORPORATE CAPACITY)
LAMBETH PALACE
JOB PROFILE
JOB TITLE:
Prior, Community of St Anselm, Lambeth Palace
LOCATION:
Lambeth Palace
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Chaplain
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
The development and leadership of the Community of St Anselm
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop’s Chaplain and members
of Chemin Neuf
BACKGROUND:
The Community of St Anselm (“the Community”), formally beginning in
September 2015, is a residential international community based at
Lambeth Palace. The residents will serve the Church by providing a
year-long experience of vowed Christian community life for young
adults aged 20-35 from across the Anglican Communion and beyond.
The programme is intended to be deeply challenging and immensely
formative. There will be a part-time option for up to 40 people who live
and work locally, as well as the full-time residential option, with capacity
for 16 initially. The Community will share both worship and facilities
with the Archbishop’s household on a day-to-day basis, but its
administration and funding will operate independently. The Prior will
lead a project team that includes some members of Chemin Neuf resident
at Lambeth Palace – a Roman Catholic order with ecumenical vocation,
who have much experience in spiritual accompaniment and community
programmes for young adults.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Prior will oversee and provide direction to this community in its
worship and work. He/she will be an Anglican who is either ordained or
in Religious vows with wide ecumenical sympathies and significant
formational experience. He/she will be responsible for the administration
of the Community of St Anselm and the overall spiritual and practical
wellbeing of its members.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Implementing the Archbishop’s vision for the Community of St Anselm. This includes steering
that vision and pioneering the start-up of a major ground-breaking initiative.
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2. Preparing, promoting and implementing an on-going annual pattern of personal and corporate
prayer, of study and teaching, and of practical service for both residential and non-residential
Community Members, beginning with the 2015-2016 academic year.
3. Recruiting candidates for this year-long commitment to life in the Community and overseeing
the logistical arrangements for their arrival, accommodation and care, in cooperation with an
administrative assistant. For prospective community members from outside the EU, the Prior
will liaise with the appropriate authorising officer for the NCIs and each prospective member
regarding their visa sponsorship.
4. Taking responsibility for all matters of discipline and direction for Community Members during
their year-long commitment, in collaboration with Chemin Neuf colleagues.
5. Overseeing the stewardship and development of the Community infrastructure including for
example accommodation, catering, shared use of premises within the wider household of
Lambeth Palace, bearing in mind it serves as the Archbishop’s residence as well as his office.
6. Developing a sustainable funding strategy through on-going relationships with individuals and
trust funds invested in the work of the Community.
7. Managing the finances for the Community in collaboration with colleagues.
8. Managing the staff and volunteers who serve in the Community.
9. Representing the Community in wider contexts, including networking and building
relationships and partnerships between the Community and other agencies and churches,
fostering connections with other Established, Acknowledged and Emerging Religious
Communities.
10. Sharing in the development of a successful communications and media strategy for the
Community, in collaboration with the Lambeth Palace Press Office.
11. Taking an active role in the worship of Lambeth Palace, overseen by the Archbishop’s
Chaplain, and facilitating Community Members in their participation.
12. Carrying out other duties in relation to the Community of St Anselm, as required.
The main duties and responsibilities of your post are outlined in your job description. This list is not
exhaustive and is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work. Changes may occur over time
and you will be expected to agree any reasonable changes to your job description that are
commensurate with your banding and in line with the general nature of your post. You will be
consulted about any changes to your job description before these are implemented.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Essential
Education:
 A degree in Theology/Religious Studies or equivalent.
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Skills/Aptitudes:
 Pioneering vision and drive for a start-up project
 Ability to actively listen and accompany others in their spiritual journey.
 Proven leadership skills, at both the administrative/strategic level, and in public contexts, both
plenary and small-group.
 Proven teaching skills, at both plenary and small-group levels
 Communication skills that include clarity and diplomacy
Knowledge/Experience:
 Experience of work in the spiritual formation of young adults.
 In-depth understanding of the workings of a member church within the Anglican Communion.
 Sensitive to different traditions found within Anglicanism and beyond.
 Experience of managing people.
 Experience of developing and managing a budget, as well as raising funds
 Experience of being counselled or accompanied (in a context of spiritual direction) by another.
Personal Attributes:
 Faith expressed in prayer and reflection, rooted in the Scriptures and their application to the
realities of life.
 Some understanding for both ‘traditional’ and ‘contemporary’ in church life (in terms of
styles/expressions of worship, ministry and mission).
 At ease working with people of all ages, in sharing their lives and in nurturing their gifts.
Circumstances:
 This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the post holder be a communicant Anglican
under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010 since the post holder will represent the
Community on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury to partners and other bodies around the
Anglican Communion, and take an active role in worship.
 The post-holder will need to be able to work flexible hours.
 It is a requirement of the post that the post holder live in provided accommodation at Lambeth
Palace.
Desirable
Education:
 A postgraduate degree in Christian theology or equivalent.
Skills/Aptitudes:
 Proven ability in nurturing the learning and vocation of others
 Skills in managing difference and/or mediating in delicate situations of conflict
Knowledge/Experience:
 Previous engagement in residential community life
 Experience of teaching or tutoring in a biblical or theological field
 Cross-cultural experience working with Christians of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
 Ecumenical exposure beyond Anglicanism
 International experience across other provinces of the Anglican Communion
Personal Attributes:
 Ability to work collaboratively
 A deep understanding of religious ministry.
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GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Diversity
We understand the benefits of employing individuals from a range of backgrounds, with diverse
cultures and talents. We aim to create a workforce that:
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values difference in others and respects the dignity and worth of each individual
reflects the diversity of the nation that the Church of England exists to serve
fosters a climate of creativity, tolerance and diversity that will help all staff to develop to their full
potential.
We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer and ensuring that all employees, job
applicants, customers and other persons with whom we deal are treated fairly and are not subjected to
discrimination. We want to ensure that we not only observe the relevant legislation but also do
whatever is necessary to provide genuine equality of opportunity. We expect all of our employees to be
treated and to treat others with respect. Our aim is to provide a working environment free from
harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form which may affect the dignity of the individual.
Standards of Behaviour and Conduct
Staff are expected to act at all times with due consideration for others and in a manner befitting their
position as employees of the Church and as professionals, whatever their job.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
The NCIs take Health and Safety at work very seriously and require their staff to familiarise
themselves with, and follow, their policy.
Confidentiality
Staff must not pass on to unauthorised persons, any information obtained in the course of their duties
without the permission of their Head of Department.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Starting Salary:
£26,430 per annum. (The terms are parallel to those of a residentiary
canon).
Pension Contributions:
Non-clergy staff will be admitted to the Church Administrators Pension
Fund (CAPF, DC Section). Clergy already in the Church of England
Funded Pensions Scheme (CEFPS) will have the option of either
remaining in this scheme or joining the CAPF scheme.
There is no contracting-out certificate under the Pension Schemes Act
1993 in force for this employment in relation to the CAPF and CEFPS.
Both CAPF and CEFPS members are contracted-in to the State Second
Pension.
Hours of Duty:
Normal hours of work are 35 per week. Hours of work will not
necessarily follow the pattern of a Monday-Friday working week.
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Annual Leave:
30 days paid leave per leave year. This is exclusive of public holidays
and additional holidays approved by your employer.
Contract:
The post is offered on a three year fixed-term contract, subject to a three
month probationary period.
Housing:
Suitable housing will be arranged according to the needs of the
successful applicant, from various options at Lambeth Palace.
Closing date for receipt of applications:
The closing date for receipt of applications is 25th September 2014.
Interviews:
Interviews are scheduled for 10th October 2014 in London.
Please note, if you have not heard from us within 3 days of the interview date, you have been
unsuccessful in your application.
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