Church Mission Society
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CHURCH MISSION SOCIETY Job description Post: Mission Development Manager for Latin America Responsible to: Director of International Mission Team: International Mission Location: Currently envisaged to be Lima or Buenos Aires, after an extended induction period in the CMS office in Oxford, UK Grade: TBA Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week Introduction Church Mission Society believes that all God’s people are called to join in God’s mission: bringing challenge, change, hope and freedom to our world. For some this will mean going overseas; for others it will mean going over the road. Whatever the case, we want to set people free to put their call into action. Currently, there are hundreds of Church Mission Society people working in 40+ countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and the UK. Church Mission Society was founded in 1799 by William Wilberforce, John Newton and other Christians whose hearts were stirred to put their faith into action. Since then, thanks to the generous and prayerful support of God’s people, we have helped support over 10,000 people in mission worldwide. CMS is also committed to equipping the church in Britain for mission today, not least through receiving the gifts of the global church in mission. As an Acknowledged Community of the Church of England we are governed by four values: we seek to be people who are pioneering, evangelistic, relational and faithful. To find out much more about the work of our community please visit: www.churchmissionsociety.org 1 Job Context The contemporary paradigm of mission is one of everyone from anywhere being able to participate in God’s global mission. Over the last 10 years CMS has created two autonomous mission movements: CMS-Africa, based in Nairobi, Kenya and AsiaCMS, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Both are now vibrant, locally led mission movements, helping shape the strategic direction of CMS mission in these regions and beyond. In Latin America we are building on over 150 years of the work of the South American Mission Society which officially merged with CMS in 2010. Today we are working throughout South America and also in Guatemala and Honduras. The main work is evangelistic, pastoral and discipleship training within the churches but there are also people in mission working with children and adults at risk, as well as in creation care and the fight for justice for indigenous groups. We enjoy a long history and strong working relationship with the Anglican Church and others in South America. CMS is committed to working in the wider CMS Mission Network (CMS, CMS Australia, NZ CMS, CMS Ireland, CMS-Africa and AsiaCMS) and also the SAMS network (SAMS USA, SAMS Ireland, and SAMS Canada), and in relationship with other mission networks, too. As yet there is no coordinated Latin American CMS mission movement, as such, but this exciting role is intended to help create such a locally led mission entity in close collaboration with churches and our strategic partners in the region. The role will also transition our work further by leading and facilitating a new phase of mission in and from Latin America. Purpose and Vision of Job To lead CMS into mission growth in Latin America, both working with our existing church partners and developing new partnerships which enable and inspire mission in and from Latin America, strategically fulfilling CMS’s vision, aims and values. This will involve working towards establishing a CMS mission movement in Latin America in collaboration with the Anglican Church and our other strategic partners in the region. Key Relationships Building strong relationships is central to fulfilling the purpose of this role. The work of nurturing mission in Latin America will be advanced primarily by the quality of wise, encouraging strategic relationships, not by function or ‘office’. 2 The key relationships are: . Our strategic partners in the countries where we work. These include the dioceses of the Anglican Province of South America, local NGOs and other organisations with whom CMS works. For these, Spanish (or in some cases Portuguese) language is essential as well as a willingness to understand how each partner works in its own context. Our people in mission (mission partners, local partners and mission associates). The CMS staff teams in the UK office, who have a key support role. English is essential for these relationships. Linking with the CMS Mission Network, the various SAMS organisations, and other mission networks will also be important. Key Responsibilities Strategic development In conjunction with the International Mission Director: . To lead, enable, advocate for and inspire mission in and from Latin America, by building a wide network of support and engagement in the region and beyond and thus shaping and contributing to the formation of a CMS Latin America mission movement. As a consequence of the above, to develop further CMS’s mission strategy and missiology in Latin America, by working with our strategic partners, with a small ‘core’ team of people in mission in the region, and with the CMS Director for International Mission. To encourage and energise pioneering mission partnerships which deliver CMS’s mission aims (http://www.churchmissionsociety.org/our-plan-vision-and-values) and build the mission capacity of our strategic partners . To look for new needs, opportunities and partners, and bring forward new proposals. To facilitate CMS staff teams’ links with our strategic partners so CMS teams are able to communicate our vision, mobilise resources and further our work in Latin America. To represent CMS at various international and local forums (as agreed with the Director for International Mission) and to take forward CMS policy, strategy and missiology. To engage and collaborate with existing mission networks in Latin America. 3 People in Mission (PiM) By working closely with our strategic partners, PIM and the CMS staff teams: - . To place people in mission strategically, identifying with our partners key mission contexts where people in mission can be placed, and to explore the possibility of clustering PiM for better mutual support. To develop the local partner programme in Latin America with our strategic partners, making it a pioneer network of mission practitioners. To nurture, encourage, inspire and support CMS people in mission in Latin America and grow our people in mission programmes. To advocate and enable good mission practice amongst our people in mission, identifying key practitioners and resources and ensuring effectiveness of our PiM placements. To implement the security policy and oversee the safety of our people in mission, to be part of the wider CMS Crisis Management Team and to ensure operational compliance with our safeguarding policy. To oversee strategic grants to Latin America strategic partners in line with policy and good practice, working closely with strategic partners and the CMS fundraising team on agreed priorities. To be part of the CMS Mission Community, exercising spiritual leadership in CMS work through leading prayers, bible studies and Christian acts of worship alongside our strategic partners, people in mission, staff and other CMS Community members. Other . To carry out any additional duties commensurate with the role as required by your line manager. 4 PERSON SPECIFICATION (Mission Development Manager for Latin America) Essential Desirable Graduate level education or Further theological Qualifications equivalent and/or missiological education/training Leadership in Experience of mission/church/Christian working in a multi- organisation with responsibility disciplinary context for people, resources and programmes; formulating and Wide international implementing strategy; and working experience, managing budgets. Experience including in the UK Track record of significant accomplishments, pioneering mission engagement in a Latin American context Significant cross cultural experience in Latin American contexts Speak Spanish and English Speak Portuguese fluently fluently Willing to learn Portuguese Able to create and sustain a high Articulate orally and level of relational trust with in writing world strategic partners, people in mission issues and mission and CMS staff communicate these Relate well to, converse with and effectively listen to people at all levels Skills and Abilities Strategic thinking Skilled at leading others through change, and influencing; Excellent problem-solver Able to work under pressure and self-motivated Demonstrate good admin and organisational and IT skills Excellent networking and co- ordinating skills 5 Awareness of the Anglican, ecumenical and evangelical scene within Latin America and globally, and having the flexibility to relate to others within this wide context Up-to-date knowledge of current Knowledge & issues in world mission with Understanding reference to Latin America Imaginative eye for mission opportunities backed by practical experience Good understanding of cross- cultural issues Charismatic leader Emotionally intelligent Sense of humour Humble and teachable Articulate Team worker Disposition Calm approach Proactive communicator Able to take risks and deal with stress and unexpected situations A committed and practising Clean driving licence Christian, also committed to CMS’s values and aims. Able to commit for an initial minimum period of five years (not Other contractual!). Able to travel for about 60 days per year in region, plus 30-40 days in Oxford; Be subject to a safeguarding check 6 .