THE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
MANAGING EMPLOYER: THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
(IN HIS CORPORATE CAPACITY)
LAMBETH PALACE
JOB PROFILE
JOB TITLE:
Inter Religious Affairs Programme Officer
GRADE:
Band 5
LOCATION:
Lambeth Palace, London, SE1 7JU
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
The Archbishop’s Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs/National Inter
Religious Affairs Adviser
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
Archbishop’s Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs
Presence and Engagement National Programme Director
National and international faith leaders, organisations, multi faith groups
and dialogue partners
Government
Bishop at Lambeth
Archbishop’s Chief of Staff
Archbishop’s Director for Reconciliation
Archbishop’s Director of Evangelism
Archbishop’s Director of Communications and Press Office
Staff at the Archbishop’s Council Division for Mission and Public
Affairs
Presence and Engagement Task Group
Bishops and their Diocesan Inter Faith Relations Advisers
Anglican Alliance
BACKGROUND:
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s ministry is supported by a community
of colleagues and advisers at Lambeth Palace. The Inter Religious
Affairs Team is responsible for all aspects of relations with non Christian
religions for the Archbishop of Canterbury and provides information,
support and advice to the Archbishop in his ministry, his advisers and for
the Mission and Public Affairs Division of the Archbishop’s Council.
The team is responsible for developing initiatives and maintaining
positive relationships with a wide range of organisations and individuals
of other religions in England and internationally on behalf of the
Archbishop.
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The primary purpose of this role is to provide programmatic continuity
and support for the extensive and fast-paced work at Lambeth Palace,
undertaking specific project and communication work in line with the
Archbishop’s priorities. The post holder will work with the Archbishop’s
Secretary and the Presence and Engagement National Programme
Director. S/he will provide information, advice and connections both
nationally and internationally to the Office of the Archbishop whilst
engaging in outreach and representation to external partners on the
Archbishop’s behalf.
JOB SUMMARY:
To provide all programmatic, research, relational and administrative
functions for Inter Religious Affairs, delivering project work arising
from the Archbishop’s priorities and coordinating connections with other
areas of his ministry.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Representation and relational work
1. Managing the delivery of programmes and initiatives for the Archbishop and the Secretary
ranging from meetings, seminars, conferences, receptions (both nationally and internationally)
with sensitivity to faith, culture or the status of the contacts.
2. Relating positively to, and liaising with, people and organisations of other faiths on behalf of
the Archbishop and the Secretary using discretion, diplomacy and knowledge of the relational
context and background.
3. Developing and maintaining good working relationships with the Diocesan Inter Faith
Advisers, the Archbishop’s Council, multi faith forums and dialogue partners, the government
and a wide variety of other contacts across the Anglican Communion and internationally.
4. Participating in internal and external meetings on behalf of the Inter Religious team.
Communications
5. Developing the Presence and Engagement website alongside the Presence and Engagement
National Programme Director.
6. Managing the correspondence (email, postal and telephone) relating to the inter religious work
of the Archbishop and the Secretary including drafting and consulting for responses.
7. Supporting the Secretary in planning and delivering the communication strategy for the
Archbishop’s inter religious affairs work.
Research
8. Providing briefings for the Secretary, colleagues and external partners.
9. Undertaking research for the Archbishop and the Secretary on subjects where necessary and
initiating research where necessary.
Team coordination
10. Ensuring the day to day coordination of the work of the Inter Religious Affairs Team.
11. Monitoring expenses, tracking the departmental budget and overseeing international travel
costs.
12. Carrying out general administrative and other duties 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
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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:
 Educated to degree level or equivalent.
Skills/Aptitudes:
 Well developed interpersonal skills, enabling communication with a wide variety of people at
different levels and from other faiths and cultures so that individuals are treated with courtesy and
an appropriate level of firmness, as and when required.
 Excellent written and oral communication skills.
 Strong collaborative skills and ability to work successfully across different teams – at Lambeth
Palace, Church House and Anglican Communion Office.
 Capacity to assimilate and assess complex information in detail whilst retaining a good overview.
 Ability to handle sensitive issues with discretion and diplomacy.
 Ability to manage own time and work independently using initiative.
 Advanced IT capability/aptitude (Word, DTP, Excel and PowerPoint).
Knowledge/Experience:
 Knowledge and understanding of the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, other
Christian denominations and other faiths.
 Knowledge of issues and trends in world politics and international affairs.
 Demonstrable experience in delivering inter religious relations projects in the UK and overseas.
 Experience of working with a range of non-Christian religious organisations and inter religious
bodies.
 Experience of drafting complex briefs on inter religious and international affairs and taking
minutes.
Personal Attributes:
 To empathise with the mission and ethos of the Church of England and have an understanding of
its structure and culture.
 Highly motivated, with commitment to inter religious relations.
 Ability to deliver results quickly, with accuracy and to deadlines.
 Ability to work cross culturally and with total discretion.
 Ability to work under pressure and as part of a team.
Circumstances:
 Flexibility and willingness to work unsocial hours when the need arises.
 Willingness to undertake occasional travel in the UK and abroad.
Desirable
Knowledge/Experience:
 First-hand experience and knowledge of working with other faith communities.
 Previous office management experience.
 Previous work within an inter faith relations environment.
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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:
Salary starts at the probationary point of £27,911 per annum. On
satisfactory completion of the probationary period the salary will rise to
the standard point for the band £30,326 per annum.
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, Monday to Friday with an hour’s
unpaid break for lunch.
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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 an open-ended contract, subject to a six-month
probationary period.
Closing date for receipt of applications: 21st August 2014
Please note, if you have not heard from us within 3 days of the interview date, you have been
unsuccessful in your application.
Interviews: 9th September 2014
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