Birmingham is the UK’s second city with the youngest urban population in Europe and one of the most lively and diverse regions. The Church of England Birmingham covers an area of nearly 300 square miles and includes parishes in the West Midlands including Birmingham and parts of Solihull, Sandwell, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
Right at the heart of what we do there are over 187 Church of England places of worship representing a wide scope of Church tradition, with an average weekly attendance of 17,000 from a population of 1.5 million.
Overview
The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) and Pastoral Secretary is a key role in overseeing the statutory processes covering our churches and parishes, including the work of the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee (DMPC), along with the management, maintenance, revitalisation, and development of our church buildings. In addition to supporting the needs of the statutory committees, the post holder will play a vital role in assisting incumbents and churchwardens as they seek permission for a variety of projects, ensuring that our churches are well maintained and developed.
Role
The formal oversight of such works is devolved through legislation to a number of statutory bodies and this role will act as:
- Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC);
- Secretary to Birmingham Diocesan Trust (BDT);
- Secretary to the Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee (DMPC).
Secretary in this context will mean more than simply clerking the above statutory bodies, and will involve representing the interests of these committees to a broad range of stakeholders as well as ensuring that they are fulfilling their obligations under the relevant legislation and managing the processes that they oversee. The role will further support and assist the Diocesan Secretary and senior staff in any further tasks appropriate to the role, which will include working with other key stakeholders in order to support our vision of “growing churches at the heart of each community” and supporting the transformation of our buildings. The post holder will liaise regularly with the Archdeacons and will be expected to maintain a close working relationship with the Net Zero Project Manager, the Places of Worship Support Officer, and the other roles identified.
Responsibilities
In general terms, the DAC is responsible for a number of processes relating to the management of land held by the Church of England and the buildings built upon it. Matters concerning the fabric of consecrated churches and licensed places of public worship, including their use, maintenance, development and, also closure, are a major aspect of the role.
The Role Holder Will
- Need an understanding of the related requirements of the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991 (amended 2015); the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2015; the Inspection of Churches Measure 1955; the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011; the Charities Act 2011; the Parochial Church Councils (Powers) Measure 1956 (amended 2015); and the Endowments and Glebe Measure 1976.
- In relation to the committee work of the DAC and BDT, be familiar with each body’s area of responsibility, casework requirements and operational procedures to ensure that the business is carried out in accordance with relevant legislation and codes of practice.
- Work with the Bishop’s appointed Chairs of the DAC and BDT, and other relevant key CofEB personnel, to ensure governance of both bodies is appropriate and to develop revised governance controls where necessary.
- Produce and circulate the agenda papers for each meeting of the DAC and BDT, and produce minutes for each meeting.
- Be the initial point of contact for parishes as they begin planning a project; provide the parish with initial advice and ensure they understand all necessary information needed for the application.
- Be able to join site visits to churches with DAC caseworkers, to assist in advising Parochial Church Councils in the maintenance and development of their church buildings within the context of the CCEJM 1991.
- Be responsible for drafting Pastoral Schemes and Orders under MPM 2011 and carrying out all administrative functions in relation to the Birmingham DMPC, including formal and informal consultations with stakeholders, including clergy, parishes, and other diocesan staff.
- Play a key role in embedding a new Archdeaconry Mission and Pastoral Committee (AMPC) to ensure proper consideration and scrutiny of proposals at a more local level.
- In carrying out these duties, be able to communicate effectively with CofEB colleagues, committee members, legal advisers, land agents, statutory bodies and other interested parties to meet objectives and ensure effective operation and management of processes.
- Be able to communicate helpfully and effectively with CofEB clergy and parish representatives to provide them with appropriate advice and assistance in engaging with these processes. The DAC and Pastoral Secretary will also be asked to provide relevant formal training to clergy as part of their Clergy Continuing Ministerial Education along with supporting churchwardens with training.
- Have a good awareness of the environmental impact of changes to our buildings and be an ambassador for the journey towards net‑zero carbon.
- Provide administrative support for any other building-related committees as the need arises along with the property team.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Knowledge
- Education, experience, or high-level demonstrable interest and expertise relevant to the role, i.e. architecture, buildings/planning, heritage/conservation, ecclesiastical legislation/frameworks.
- Demonstrable experience at an appropriate level of work in a comparable workplace, e.g. local authority, planning or practice associated with the care or development of buildings, ecclesiastical administration.
- Knowledge of the Faculty Jurisdiction and Care of Churches Measure.
- A demonstrable level of experience with complex administrative processes.
- Good level of knowledge of historic buildings/environment, or planning casework.
Desirable Knowledge
- Education, experience, or high-level demonstrable interest and expertise relevant to the role, i.e. architecture, buildings/planning, heritage/conservation, ecclesiastical legislation/frameworks.
Skills
- Competent using Microsoft Office and online communication to a high level.
- Experience in facilitating formal meetings with a range of stakeholders, internal and external.
Personal Attributes
- Excellent communication skills – capable of relating well to a wide range of people with varying expectations with tact and diplomacy.
- Able to prioritise, delegate and supervise work to internal and external partners.
- Ability to remain calm under pressure, to organise self, effectively prioritise and manage tasks independently.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision to achieve agreed objectives, including the ability to take decisions as necessary.
- Functions as an active and effective participant within a team.
- Ability to engage with and gain a thorough understanding of casework and processes.
- An understanding of and sympathy with the ethos of the Church of England.
- Someone who is keen to see the sensitive development of our buildings rather than purely preserving or protecting them.
- Ability to attend occasional evening meetings.
- Ability to attend meetings on site (at church locations) or training/networking sessions in other regions.
- The ability to travel the breadth of the diocese which includes some locations not accessible by public transport.
Terms and Conditions
- Hours: Full-time at 35 hours per week.
- Salary: £40,000.
- Line Management: The role reports to the Property Director and will have supervision from the Finance Director in relation to the areas which fall under their jurisdiction, as well as relating to the Chair of the Statutory Committee the role supports.
- Pension: Membership of the Church Workers’ Pension scheme, with a 12% employer contribution, inclusive of a three-times Death in Service benefit.
- Location: Offices at John Cadbury House, 190 Corporation Street, Birmingham, B4 6QD, with travel throughout the diocese. A blend of office and home working (with a minimum average of two days per week worked on‑site) will be available after a settling‑in phase.
- Annual leave: 25 working days per calendar year plus bank holidays and 3 discretionary days.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work. We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post, in particular from those who are currently under‑represented in our staff teams such as those from Global Majority Heritage or UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQI+.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment.
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