THE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
MANAGING EMPLOYER: ARCHBISHOP’S COUNCIL
DIVISION OF MISSION & PUBLIC AFFAIRS
JOB PROFILE
JOB TITLE:
National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser &
Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
GRADE:
Band 2
LOCATION:
Split between Lambeth Palace and Church House, the exact balance to
be determined in the light of the job’s requirements.
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Director: Mission and Public Affairs (Archbishops’ Council)
as line manager and, for the work of the Archbishop of Canterbury,
the Chief of Staff at Lambeth Palace and the head of the Lambeth
international team.
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
Personal Assistant at Lambeth Palace, Research Assistant, International
Dialogues Assistant, Academic Programmes Director for Building
Bridges Seminar
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
For the Archbishops’ Council
Colleagues at Church House (in the Mission and Public Affairs Division
and in other Divisions); Diocesan Inter Faith Relations advisers; the
Chair of the Presence and Engagement Task Group, the Director of the
Inter Faith Network and other significant inter Faith organisations;
ministers and officers of governments departments, colleagues in other
Christian churches and representatives of other Faith communities.
For the Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop and colleagues at Lambeth Palace, particularly the
Secretary for International Affairs bishops of the Church of England with
responsibilities to the Archbishop for relations with other Faith
communities, Chair and Co-ordinator of NIFCON; bishops in other
Anglican Communion Provinces
BACKGROUND:
This post combines the national responsibilities for inter religious affairs
of the Church of England with those of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s
Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs. It recognises both the significance
of inter Faith issues for the Archbishop (in England and internationally)
and the advantages of combining that role with the wider national work
in England of the National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser. A large
proportion of the work, especially in building relationships with other
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Faith communities, is common to both parts of the job, but the postholder must be able to negotiate the different needs of the Archbishop
and of the Church of England at large and this calls for alertness to
organisational issues and the complexities of Anglican ecclesiology.
Inter religious affairs connect with other areas of the church’s work –
such as evangelism, social responsibility, urban issues, education,
government policy (particularly issues to do with religious hatred and
relations with Faith communities). The adviser must be able to work
with colleagues on these aspects of their work.
A major component of the National Adviser’s role is to carry forward the
work of the Presence and Engagement programme and support the work
of practitioners in parishes, schools and chaplaincies.
JOB SUMMARY:
The post holder takes lead responsibility for the national inter religious
affairs of the Church of England, including the Presence and
Engagement programme and for supporting the Archbishop of
Canterbury’s ministry in relation to inter religious affairs
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
In relation to the national work of the Church of England
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Taking forward and developing the General Synod’s Presence and Engagement programme
through the Task Group and with appropriate networks (inter Faith; urban officers;
missioners etc) in dioceses; encouraging and enabling local presence and engagement to be
strengthened and providing a core national information facility on initiatives, training and
developments in this area of work
Acting as Secretary to the Presence and Engagement Task Group and any other panels or
groups that may be necessary to support and advise on national responsibilities;
Supporting diocesan inter Faith relations advisers through information, training and
networking etc.
Advising bishops and diocesan officials on inter Faith relations and Presence and
Engagement issues;
Monitoring developments in inter Faith relations in dioceses and identifying emerging
issues on which national action is needed including the encouragement and facilitation of
reflection on other Faith communities and dialogue with them;
Developing and maintaining good relationships with key organisations and leaders of other
Faith communities and representing the Church of England in bilateral and multi faith
organisations
Representing the Church to government on the increasingly complex range of issues
relating to inter Faith relations; leading the work on the implementation of the ‘Being
Neighbourly’ programme with the Church Urban Fund
Advising the House of Bishops, Archbishops’ Council, Mission and Public Affairs Council
etc on inter Faith issues;
Working closely with relevant colleagues within the MPA Division and more widely within
the National Church Institutions when an inter Faith dimension is needed within work for
which they carry lead responsibility;
In relation to the Archbishop of Canterbury
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The post-holder will be a Principal at Lambeth Palace, and will also carry out certain general
duties as a member of that team.
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Advising the Archbishop and his staff on all the inter Faith relations work that his office
requires – both domestically within England and internationally; responding to
correspondence, preparing briefs and arranging seminars, conferences and other events
Contributing to the development of strategy for the Archbishop’s work;
Supporting the group of Archbishop’s Episcopal advisers for Faith communities
Ensuring the effective organisation of the Archbishop’s inter Faith related visits within
Britain and overseas;
Representing the Archbishop as required at inter Faith related events and to inter Faith
leaders and delegations whether in England or more widely;
Co-ordinating the variety of Archbishop’s inter Faith relationships overseas
Participating regularly in the meetings of Principals at Lambeth Palace
In relation to both positions
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Being the point of contact with the Anglican Communion Office, the WCC and CEC and
multi religious international dialogues and organisations on inter Faith issues.
Representing the Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury at meetings of
relevant bodies of which the Church is a member, particularly the Inter Faith Network;
CIRN; NIFCON.
Responding to enquiries from the public and the press (in liaison with the Communications
Unit and Press Officer in Lambeth Palace and other colleagues as appropriate).
Undertaking preaching, public speaking and presentations as needed
Undertaking such other duties as may from time to time be necessary
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 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 description before these are implemented.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Essential:
Education:
 A degree in theology or other relevant discipline, and evidence of having done further reflection in
the field of inter faith dialogue and relations and the theology of religion.
Knowledge/experience:
 Considerable expertise in, and knowledge of, at least one of the major world religions (other than
Christianity)
 Experience of practical inter Faith work at the local level
 Awareness of political issues to do with Faith communities
 Understanding of the range of approaches taken within the Church to people of other Faiths
 Proven capacity to speak and preach publicly
 Knowledge of church structures
 Capacity to relate to other Churches in the U.K and internationally
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Skills/abilities:
 Ability to relate sensitively and with ease across a wide diversity of people and networks
 Evidence of building relationships with leaders of other Faith communities
 Experience of successfully establishing and nurturing networks.
 Proven ability to write simply and clearly about complex pastoral and theological issues
 Expertise in committee work including preparation of papers and briefings.
 Ability to hold the respect of bishops, national leaders of other Faith communities and leaders
within the Anglican Communion
 Demonstrable ability to influence and advise at a senior level.
 An effective and proven communicator (orally and in writing).
 Ability to work in and across teams
 Able to use Microsoft Outlook and Word.
Personal Attributes:
 A positive attitude to all traditions within the Church of England and the ability to work happily
with those who belong to them.
Circumstances:
 An active communicant member of the Church of England or church in communion with it.*
 The post is based at Lambeth Palace and Church House, Westminster
 The officer is expected to travel widely throughout England and, on occasion, internationally.
*This post is subject to an occupational requirement that the holder be a communicant Anglican or a
communicant of a church in communion with the Church of England under Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the
Equality Act 2010. This is because of the post’s senior representational role to other faiths and its
responsibility for representing the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Competencies:
 Leadership- as demonstrated through the ability to inspire commitment, and enthusiasm to create a
culture which is focused on achieving objectives
 Delivery of results – as demonstrated through the ability to initiate action to resolve problems,
overcome barriers and exploit opportunities
 Personal effectiveness
 Valuing people – as demonstrated through embracing diversity to manage working relationships
effectively so as to get the best out of others by developing their capabilities
 Communication – as demonstrated by the use of a range of channels and media for exchange of
information, feedback and creative ideas
 Stewardship – as demonstrated by the flexible and imaginative use of resources, knowledge and
specialist expertise
Desirable
Education:
 Relevant post graduate research
Knowledge/experience:
 Experience of being immersed in another culture for an extended period
 Extended experience of presence and engagement with people of other faiths in England
Skills/abilities:
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Fluency in another European or non-European language
Familiarity with Excel and PowerPoint
GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Diversity
Equal treatment amongst people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse perspectives is one of the
central precepts to the Church of England’s mission and theology. The Church of England and its
national employing bodies value the richness which this equal treatment brings to the workplace. It
therefore has an equal opportunities policy in place. This policy not only requires the employer to
fulfil certain obligations but also places responsibilities on staff. Staff found to be contravening the
policy or acting outside its spirit will be subject to disciplinary action, which could lead to dismissal.
The National Church Institutions wish to implement the terms of the Equality Act and are committed
to improving opportunities for people with disabilities. If you feel that you could carry out this post
with some adjustments please let the Human Resources Department know. If you require particular
arrangements made for interview etc. (signing, access), please indicate with your application form.
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
All NCI staff are required to ensure that they understand and accept the legal duties placed on them by
the Health and Safety at Work Act not to endanger themselves or others and by the Management of
Health and Safety at Work Regulations to co-operate with colleagues and management in the control of
health and safety at work. And therefore:
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to read and understand and abide by the NCI health and safety policy;
to make themselves familiar with accident and emergency procedures on their site;
to make themselves familiar with the findings of any departmental risk assessments which
might affect them;
to inform their management team immediately of any health or safety deficiencies or dangerous
situations or near misses;
to set a good personal example in respect of health and safety.
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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.
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TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Starting Salary:
Salary starts at the probationary point of £46,420 per annum. On
satisfactory completion of the probationary period the salary will rise to
the standard point for the band £49,230 per annum.
Pension Contributions:
Non-clergy staff will be admitted to the Church Administrators Pension
Fund (CAPF) unless they choose to opt out. 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 if they wish.
There is no contracting – out certificate under the Pension Schemes Act
1993 in force for this employment in relation to the CAPF. CEFPS is
currently contracted out but the employer has indicated that it intends to
surrender the contracting out certificate with effect from 1st January
2011. Both CAPF and CEFPS members will be contracted-in to the
State Second Pension from that date. The NCIs have an income
protection insurance arrangement. To be eligible for cover under this
policy an employee must be a member of the CAPF DC section. Cover
will be subject to any terms and conditions laid down by the insurance
company.
The retirement age for men and women is 65 years.
Hours of Duty:
Normal hours of work are 35 per week, Monday to Friday with an hour’s
unpaid break for lunch.
Annual Leave:
30 days paid leave per leave year. This is exclusive of public and
additional holidays. The leave year runs from 1st January to 31st
December.
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:
Monday 6th December 2010
Interview date:
Monday 10th January 2011
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