THE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
MANAGING EMPLOYER: ARCHBISHOPS COUNCIL
CATHEDRAL AND CHURCH BUILDINGS
JOB PROFILE
JOB TITLE: Online Faculty Application System (with Church Heritage Record) Project
Officer (Fixed Term)
GRADE: 5
LOCATION: Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3AZ
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Major Projects Officer
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Currently no line management responsibilities.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS: Major Projects Officer (line and project manager), the project
steering group, dioceses, English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund, local authorities, local
history societies and community groups.
BACKGROUND: The Church of England has commissioned from Exegesis Ltd (henceforth
the contractors) a new web-based Faculty Application System with an integrated database on
all churches (the CHR) as part of the Faculty Simplification process. An officer is now
required to help co-ordinate the construction of the system, populate it with data, train the
various users and develop it further.
JOB SUMMARY: To help deliver the new online Faculty Application System with
integrated Church Heritage Record (CHR) project for the Cathedral and Church Buildings
Division.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the direction of the Major Projects Office, the postholder will be expected to:
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In the first year work with the contractors, dioceses and steering group to test the system
as it is developed, help prepare User Acceptance Tests
Ensure that the online system is easy for over 30,000 volunteers to find, use and
navigate, and help organise training events
Train and support diocesan officers in the use and development of the system, and its
long-term management
Identify, scope and where appropriate summarise, digitise, assimilate or link to sources
of information to populate the CHR
Work with the contractors to deliver and populate the system as an accessible and
interactive online public resource for educational and social purposes as well as a
planning and research tool
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Liaise with dioceses, other NCIs, English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund, local
authorities, local history societies and community groups and other partners and
stakeholders to publicise and enhance the CHR for these purposes.
The main objectives of the project are
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To simplify and speed up the faculty system, making it easier for the users (parishes and
dioceses) and helping curators at all levels to make quicker and better informed
decisions
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To provide parishes with as much information and support as possible in making their
applications, logging the process and documents
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To help the national Church, dioceses and partners to take a strategic approach to the
use and conservation of historic places of worship, by providing immediate access to
key data
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To help congregations and local communities to understand, value and make best use of
their buildings, enhancing stakeholdership and the community and educational potential
of church buildings
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To meet National Heritage Protection Plan Priority 5C1, enabling or widening public
access to information about a key component of the historic environment, and
improving protection of the latter through the planning system.
Wider engagement
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Act as an advocate for the system within and without the Church of England
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Build partnerships with other organisations and the wider community to enhance the
potential of the CHR
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Engage with other faith and Christian denomination groups to maximise the value of the
project, ie link to their systems or offer it as a basis for a new system for them.
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:
Skills, qualifications and knowledge required:
Essential
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Experience of developing or managing easily accessible online resources for volunteers
Experience of data migration, manipulation and input
Experience of facilitating public engagement with online resources, organising training
events
A service-orientated approach with all with whom the Division has dealings, including
parishes, diocesan staff including DACs, local societies, local authorities and other
public sector and voluntary bodies
A demonstrable interest in England’s historic places of worship
Desirable
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A degree or equivalent in the history of art or architecture, archaeology, history,
architecture, town planning, heritage studies, or equivalent experience
An understanding of Church systems and of the balance between care and conservation
and worship and mission, and an appreciation of and sympathy with the pressures on
parishes
Excellent interpersonal, negotiating and written communication skills, an ability to work
independently and deal with competing priorities
A good team player, ready to help out wherever necessary
Circumstances
 Willingness and ability to travel within the UK.
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:
Pension Contributions:
Salary starts at the probationary point of £27,911 p.a. On
satisfactory completion of the probationary period the salary
will rise to the standard point for the band £30,326 p.a
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, Monday to Friday
with an hour’s unpaid break for lunch
Annual Leave:
25 days paid leave per leave year. This is exclusive of public
holidays and additional holidays approved by your
employer.
Season Ticket Loan:
Staff are eligible to apply for an interest-free travel season
ticket loan for their journey to and from work.
Contract:
The post is offered on a 3 year fixed-term contract, subject to
a three-month probationary period.
Closing date for receipt of applications:
Please note, if you have not heard from us within 3 days of the interview date, you have been
unsuccessful in your application.