Durham University
Hild Bede College Chaplain
Job Location
Durham, United Kingdom
Job Description
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University
The Role and the Department
Our Chaplain will lead in the provision of pastoral, spiritual and religious support to all members of the College community and to support staff and students of all faiths, beliefs and worldviews. They will be involved in a wide range of activities aimed at furthering the College and University strategy, especially in relation to the personal development of students and the future development of the Colleges. They will work closely with the student support team within the College in partnership with the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate. The Chaplain is a member of the University's Chaplaincy Network which provides a community of practice led by the University Lead Chaplain. Our Chaplain will be line-managed by the College Principal.
We envisage that the Chaplain will continue our tradition of officiating at two services a week during term time - Wednesday evensong and Sunday Eucharist - in addition to our Christmas Carol Service. Remembrance Sunday, The Sounding of the Retreat, and, as may be needed, weddings, funerals and christenings associated with the wider College community. We expect our Chaplain to be available to welcome students on arrival to College and join us for formals, graduation and matriculation.
These services and events would normally take place in our College Chapel. This is a very fine, listed, Art Deco Chapel. The College is also home to the Joachim Room, the former Chapel of St Hilds College. However, for the next three years we expect to be operating the chapel as a place of worship, its choir, both in the context of religious service and other performance and activities, from a local parish church in Durham city near College's temporary home at Rushford Court. During this time the College will be being refurbished and developed. The Chaplain will be involved in ensuring that renovation and development of the Chapel meets our current and future needs including helping to generate proposals for grant funding to restore, enhance and develop the Chapel and Chaplaincy.
It is anticipated that these activities will require around half of the Chaplain's time.
The other half is to be dedicated to supporting the educational, scholarly and personal development of our students and staff by playing a leading role in enabling their contribution to the benefit we can make as a College to our wider community. This is an important part of our character as the College which instigated the foundation of Student Community Action in Durham - the precursor to the present organisation supporting volunteering. The Chaplain will do this by supporting our ambitions around volunteering, building on relationships which we have with local schools and prisons through the Chapel Choir, and creating new opportunities for engagement with the local community, its groups and individuals. We have plans to invest in community gardening, music making and other activities which the Chaplain will support.
The Chaplain will also work closely with holders of the College Postgraduate Scholarships in Theology and Religion ensuring their integration into College life, and providing pastoral support to them alongside complementary expertise to their formal academic supervision.
The Chaplain also supports the Chapel Choir. This involves engaging them in the twice weekly services run by College and also support and close working with the Director of Music. College has one of the largest and best Chapel Choirs in Durham and we want that to remain the case. The Chaplain manages a small budget which supports the choir and chapel.
We are proposing to support the Chaplaincy with the opportunity to work with two interns drawn from the College student community. The Chaplain will have a degree of discretion over their precise activities but College is ambitious to enable students with an interest in religion and faith, the history of the College and promoting spirituality to co-create projects which serve them and the College. Instances might be to enhance our awareness and celebration of all faiths represented in the community, archival research on the Chapel, and, support a programme of Chapel and Chaplaincy related events which also engage the local community.
We expect the Chaplain to take the opportunity to support a strong, visible presence in College and also to past and prospective students via creating and curating up-to-date webpages and social media account.
The Chaplain is expected to be actively engaged in broader College life, including attending, contributing and enjoying College events such as formals, some of which take place in the evenings and at weekends.
Please note that the role is funded via a grant secured from the Hild Bede Trust, a charitable foundation. Grant allocations have been secured to cover all salary costs for 2 years in there first instance. Thereafter the post holder will be involved in attracting additional grant support for the community engagement element of the role. The post holder will be involved annually on reporting to the Hild Bede Trust.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
1. An ordained member (priest) of the Anglican Communion
2. Experienced service provider with knowledge and expertise used to contribute to the delivery and development of services, events and activities within the organisation.
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
4. Post-18 qualification at degree level or equivalent experience.
5. Experience of working with young people and communities in enrichment activities
6. Experienced and skilled at working with communities, building and maintaining relationships and co-creating projects and engagement
7. Experience of supporting volunteering
8. Ability and willingness to contribute to management and planning at an operational level.
9. Experience of implementing policy and procedures and involvement with future changes for a service area.
10. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
11. Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes.
12. Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning, financial systems.
13. Evidence of sensitivity to and ability to champion diversity through inclusive practice.
14. Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.
What you are required to submit:
Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, the College Principal, Professor Simon Forrest. would be happy to speak to you. Email: simon.forrest@durham.ac.uk
Typical Role Requirements
Planning and Organising
Communication/Networking/Stakeholders
Knowledge and Experience
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
Location: Durham, GB
Posted Date: 11/24/2024
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Durham University
The Role and the Department
Our Chaplain will lead in the provision of pastoral, spiritual and religious support to all members of the College community and to support staff and students of all faiths, beliefs and worldviews. They will be involved in a wide range of activities aimed at furthering the College and University strategy, especially in relation to the personal development of students and the future development of the Colleges. They will work closely with the student support team within the College in partnership with the Student Support and Wellbeing Directorate. The Chaplain is a member of the University's Chaplaincy Network which provides a community of practice led by the University Lead Chaplain. Our Chaplain will be line-managed by the College Principal.
We envisage that the Chaplain will continue our tradition of officiating at two services a week during term time - Wednesday evensong and Sunday Eucharist - in addition to our Christmas Carol Service. Remembrance Sunday, The Sounding of the Retreat, and, as may be needed, weddings, funerals and christenings associated with the wider College community. We expect our Chaplain to be available to welcome students on arrival to College and join us for formals, graduation and matriculation.
These services and events would normally take place in our College Chapel. This is a very fine, listed, Art Deco Chapel. The College is also home to the Joachim Room, the former Chapel of St Hilds College. However, for the next three years we expect to be operating the chapel as a place of worship, its choir, both in the context of religious service and other performance and activities, from a local parish church in Durham city near College's temporary home at Rushford Court. During this time the College will be being refurbished and developed. The Chaplain will be involved in ensuring that renovation and development of the Chapel meets our current and future needs including helping to generate proposals for grant funding to restore, enhance and develop the Chapel and Chaplaincy.
It is anticipated that these activities will require around half of the Chaplain's time.
The other half is to be dedicated to supporting the educational, scholarly and personal development of our students and staff by playing a leading role in enabling their contribution to the benefit we can make as a College to our wider community. This is an important part of our character as the College which instigated the foundation of Student Community Action in Durham - the precursor to the present organisation supporting volunteering. The Chaplain will do this by supporting our ambitions around volunteering, building on relationships which we have with local schools and prisons through the Chapel Choir, and creating new opportunities for engagement with the local community, its groups and individuals. We have plans to invest in community gardening, music making and other activities which the Chaplain will support.
The Chaplain will also work closely with holders of the College Postgraduate Scholarships in Theology and Religion ensuring their integration into College life, and providing pastoral support to them alongside complementary expertise to their formal academic supervision.
The Chaplain also supports the Chapel Choir. This involves engaging them in the twice weekly services run by College and also support and close working with the Director of Music. College has one of the largest and best Chapel Choirs in Durham and we want that to remain the case. The Chaplain manages a small budget which supports the choir and chapel.
We are proposing to support the Chaplaincy with the opportunity to work with two interns drawn from the College student community. The Chaplain will have a degree of discretion over their precise activities but College is ambitious to enable students with an interest in religion and faith, the history of the College and promoting spirituality to co-create projects which serve them and the College. Instances might be to enhance our awareness and celebration of all faiths represented in the community, archival research on the Chapel, and, support a programme of Chapel and Chaplaincy related events which also engage the local community.
We expect the Chaplain to take the opportunity to support a strong, visible presence in College and also to past and prospective students via creating and curating up-to-date webpages and social media account.
The Chaplain is expected to be actively engaged in broader College life, including attending, contributing and enjoying College events such as formals, some of which take place in the evenings and at weekends.
Please note that the role is funded via a grant secured from the Hild Bede Trust, a charitable foundation. Grant allocations have been secured to cover all salary costs for 2 years in there first instance. Thereafter the post holder will be involved in attracting additional grant support for the community engagement element of the role. The post holder will be involved annually on reporting to the Hild Bede Trust.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
1. An ordained member (priest) of the Anglican Communion
2. Experienced service provider with knowledge and expertise used to contribute to the delivery and development of services, events and activities within the organisation.
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
4. Post-18 qualification at degree level or equivalent experience.
5. Experience of working with young people and communities in enrichment activities
6. Experienced and skilled at working with communities, building and maintaining relationships and co-creating projects and engagement
7. Experience of supporting volunteering
8. Ability and willingness to contribute to management and planning at an operational level.
9. Experience of implementing policy and procedures and involvement with future changes for a service area.
10. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.
11. Ability to effectively network and exchange advice and information for development purposes.
12. Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning, financial systems.
13. Evidence of sensitivity to and ability to champion diversity through inclusive practice.
14. Evidence of personal development to maintain skills.
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above.
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.
What you are required to submit:
- A CV
- A short covering letter or statement explaining why you interested and what you will bring to the role (max 500 words)
- A statement which shows examples of how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification
Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, the College Principal, Professor Simon Forrest. would be happy to speak to you. Email: simon.forrest@durham.ac.uk
Typical Role Requirements
- Foster the spiritual life of diverse, international College communities, supporting people of all faiths, beliefs and worldviews.
- Attend Chaplains' meetings and Chaplaincy & Faith Steering Group meetings.
- Specialist support with problem solving and query handling.
- Interpret, curate, design and present artefacts, information, data, equipment and resources.
- Implement and monitor protocols, procedures, processes and regulations.
- Monitor and report incidents.
- Carry out more in-depth investigations, searches and research information and data to identify trends and patterns.
- Take responsibility for day to day decision making within own area of responsibility for operational aspects of service delivery, translating external requirements into practical application and advice.
- Implement and monitor recognised procedures to ensure compliance and meet University values of inclusion, diversity and participation
- Accountable for managing/maintaining financial and budget records and reconciling consumable expenditure queries.
- Involved in the purchase and return of goods and services.
- Responsible for curating the set-up, order, display and information pertinent to the service area and / or activity.
- Ensure the safety and security of service and public areas, responding to incidents and providing reports.
- Act as first point of contact for student welfare issues where required.
- A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
Planning and Organising
- Reactive and proactive service provision with others to deliver an excellent stakeholder experience.
- Support the capture of business requirements from users and work with colleagues to translate these into recommendations for future service provision.
- Identify potential service improvements, make recommendations.
Communication/Networking/Stakeholders
- Relationship building, network participation internally and externally to build and update knowledge and skills.
- Engage with external peers and specialists to exchange knowledge and information.
- Supervises service users and stakeholders undertaking activities, events, project work and exhibitions.
- Contribute to business meetings, working groups and committees to help shape service delivery and stakeholder expectations.
- Manage frontline stakeholder services in a variety of different buildings and environments and outlets across the University.
- Act as a recognised point of contact between the University and key internal and external stakeholders, including donors and employers.
- Carry out internal and external presentations and public relations events promoting the Durham reputation, and encouraging participation and income generation.
- Gather, record and analyse customer feedback from all service users.
- Develop, plan and deliver events and activities for students, staff and visitors.
- Work with other functional areas and families across the University to ensure the most diverse and accessible promotion of services, events and activities.
Knowledge and Experience
- Experienced service practitioner, planning and co-ordinating of projects and work streams with inter-related activities.
- Plan and organise own workload with or without involvement with project work streams.
- Any other reasonable duties.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
Location: Durham, GB
Posted Date: 11/24/2024
Contact Information
| Contact | Human Resources Durham University |
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