THE NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND
MANAGING EMPLOYER: THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
(IN HIS CORPORATE CAPACITY)
LAMBETH PALACE
JOB PROFILE
JOB TITLE:
Administrative Assistant to the Bishop at Lambeth (Part-Time)
GRADE:
Band 6
LOCATION:
Lambeth Palace, London, SE1 7JU
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
The Bishop at Lambeth’s Senior Executive Assistant
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
Daily contact with the Bishop at Lambeth and his Executive Assistant,
the Archbishop and his Senior Executive Assistant, the Chief of Staff
and her Executive Assistant and the other staff at Lambeth Palace. There
is also regular contact with the Archbishop of York and his staff, other
Church of England Bishops, Armed Forces Archdeacons, staff of the
National Church Institutions, offices of Government Ministers, Royal
Households and other external organisations, and people from a wide
range of charitable and ecumenical organisations.
BACKGROUND:
This post gives an excellent opportunity of working in a small, friendly,
busy office, in unusual and pleasant surroundings. Lambeth Palace is the
official London residence and office of the Archbishop of Canterbury
and Mrs Welby. The staff members at Lambeth Palace work as a small
and close-knit team and support each other at busy periods with
flexibility and good humour.
JOB SUMMARY:
To provide administrative assistance and support to the Bishop at
Lambeth and his Executive Assistant.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Supporting the Bishop at Lambeth and his Executive Assistant.
Word processing the Bishop’s correspondence from manuscript and/or dictation and
drafting correspondence for his signature.
Maintaining paper and electronic filing and bring forward systems as well as ensuring the
safe and secure storage of confidential material.
Assisting with managing the Bishop’s diary, including booking rooms and hospitality where
appropriate, receiving visitors as required on behalf of the Bishop at Lambeth and making
travel arrangements.
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5.
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Assisting with the drafting of briefs for meetings and for the Archbishop’s official
engagements for which the Bishop at Lambeth has responsibility.
Assisting in providing administrative support for the Bishop around his Armed Forces
ministry, including liaising with the three Armed Forces Archdeacons, their staff Chaplains
and administrative teams, in particular with regard to clergy blue files, Episcopal reference
and clergy current status letters. Assisting with arranging interviews for prospective Armed
Forces Chaplains or ordinands from the Armed Forces.
Maintaining regular contact with people of all levels in the many areas of the Bishop’s
ministry, including by telephone and e-mail, whilst ensuring a high degree of
confidentiality.
Working closely with the Bishop at Lambeth’s EA to ensure that the Bishop is
administratively staffed in a consistent and smooth fashion.
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:
 Educated to A-Level or equivalent.
Knowledge/Experience:
 Previous experience of an administrative role demonstrating the skills above.
 A good command of English (including accurate spelling and punctuation).
 knowledge of the Church of England and its worship.
Skills/Aptitudes:
 Experience of using MS Word and Outlook, as well as a networked computer system.
 Excellent word processing skills and fast and accurate typing.
 Well-presented work with a keen eye for detail.
 Good communication skills both oral and written, including a confident telephone manner. S/he
will also need the ability to draft letters independently.
 Good interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
 Well organised, methodical and the ability to cope with conflicting priorities.
 Flexible and able to adapt plans quickly in response to change.
Personal Attributes:
 Due to the confidential nature of much of the work, the post-holder must be a person who can be
relied upon to be discreet.
 Ability to relate to people at all levels and work well as a member of a team.
 A willingness to be line-managed primarily remotely due to current working patterns.
Desirable
Skills/Aptitudes:
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
Experience of Microsoft packages in addition to Word and Outlook, in particular MS Access
(training will be provided if necessary).
Knowledge/Experience:
 A sympathy with and interest in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s ministry.
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:
£9,532.80 per annum (pro rata from full time equivalent of £23,832)
rising to £10,149.20 per annum (pro rata from the full time equivalent of
£25,373) on successful completion of probation.
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.
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Both CAPF and CEFPS members are contracted-in to the State Second
Pension.
Hours of Duty:
Normal hours of work are 14 per week (due to current working patterns,
this must be split evenly on a Monday and Thursday) with an hour’s
unpaid break for lunch.
Annual Leave:
10 days paid per leave year (pro-rata from the full time equivalent of 25
days per 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: 28 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: 12 September 2014.
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