JOB DESCRIPTION

Supporting a thriving parliamentary democracy

Job title: Speaker’s Chaplain Campaign Type: Concurrent Stipend: £30,515 per annum Reports to: The Speaker’s Secretary Number of posts: 1 Hours: 32 hours per week Contract type/ duration: This is a permanent position Issue date: 05/09/2019 Closing date: 22/09/2019

The House of Com mons The House of Commons and the iconic are key elements of the UK Parliaments. Around 3,000 staff work behind the scenes at the House of Commons, supporting the democratic process in many different ways. We are politically impartial and take great pride in the vision and values which guide our work.

It takes a huge range of skills and experience to keep the House of Commons running, and we all contribute to supporting a thriving parliamentary democracy.

Job introduction The Speaker’s Chaplain’s role is primarily the pastoral care and responsibility for all Members of the House of Commons and their staff, Staff of the House of Commons and to be available, when sought and requested, for any other parliamentary pass holder; The work ranges over as wide an area as that of any Parish Priest and requires the highest possible standards.

The role requires close working relationships with the Dean and Chapter, other clergy and staff of and St Margaret’s Westminster Abbey, as well as Black Rod’s Office, who has responsibility, in conjunction with the Dean of Westminster, for the use of of (CSMU) as a Royal Peculiar. Ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the CSMU is exercised by the Dean of Westminster as Ordinary. The Dean’s direction in all matters of policy concerning worship in CSMU must be sought and followed by the Speaker’s Chaplain. The Dean of Westminster expects to appoint the Speaker’s Chaplain as a Priest Vicar of Westminster Abbey. This is an honorary, unpaid position.

In addition to the role of Speaker’s Chaplain, the successful candidate will also be held in plurality with House for Duty Vicar at St. Mary at Hill in the City of London.

Management responsibility None.

Location This post will be located on the Parliamentary Estate, Westminster, London.

Security Successful candidates will be required to complete pre-employment checks. This includes security vetting to Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) level unless otherwise specified. All successful candidates are required to pass these checks before an offer can be confirmed.

Applicants should be aware that if they have resided outside of the UK for a total of more than two of the last five years they are not eligible for vetting.

Please visit: https://www.parliament.uk/documents/PSD-Security-Vetting-booklet.pdf for further information.

Hours Consideration will be given to candidates who wish to work part-time or as part of a job share. If you are selected for interview please inform the panel of the days/hours you are available to work, alternatively you can inform the recruitment team at any stage of the process.

The net working hours will be 32 per week and the usual working days will be Monday to Sunday. This excludes any breaks (further details can be found in the Staff Handbook). Exact times of attendance each day will be agreed with line management. The House of Commons reserves the right to change the start and finish times.

Net conditioned full-time working hours for staff of the House are usually 36 per week, excluding meal breaks. This determines the basis on which we will calculate any pro rata entitlements (e.g. annual leave).

For further information: Candidates should refer to the House of Commons careers website https://www.parliament.uk/about/working/jobs/ or contact [email protected] or 020 7219 6011.

Application and selection process We will conduct a sift based on the criteria set out in the skills and experience section and successful candidates will be invited to attend a competency based interview.

Key responsibilities 1. To conduct daily Prayers in the Chamber of the House of Commons, preceded by the Speaker’s Procession.

2. To attend the monthly services of Holy Communion in St Margaret’s Westminster Abbey and invite speakers to address the breakfast meeting that follows in Speaker’s House – attendees being from both Houses of Parliament. The Chaplain alternates with the Rector of St Margaret’s Westminster Abbey in officiating at this service and they are both in attendance.

3. To conduct the weekly Eucharist in the CSMU when the Houses are sitting and liaise with the staff choir who sing fortnightly at this service.

4. To conduct marriages and marriage blessings when requested (including the preparatory meetings), of current Members, staff of both Houses of Parliament and their direct descendants, in the CSMU.

5. To conduct baptisms when requested (including the preparatory meetings) for current Members, staff of both Houses of Parliament, and their direct descendants, in the CSMU.

6. To attend planning meetings with Westminster Abbey staff and to participate in “parliamentary services” being held in St Margaret’s Westminster Abbey e.g. start of a new Parliament and the Parliamentary Carol service.

7. When appropriate, to participate in Thanksgiving/Memorial services of a parliamentary nature in St Margaret’s Westminster Abbey.

8. To liaise in a timely manner with the minor Canons department of Westminster Abbey regarding the Orders of Service for the occasional offices being held in the CSMU.

9. To liaise with Black Rod’s Office and the Rector of St Margaret’s Westminster Abbey Office, as overseeing agents of the CSMU regarding the booking of any services in the Chapel.

10. Ceremonial occasions: - required to attend and say Grace at a number of dinners during the year in Speaker’s House and attendance at Addresses to Parliament by visiting dignitaries.

11. To offer advice to the Speaker and the Speaker’s Secretary.

12. Be available to Members and staff of the House of Commons when pastoral care is requested and, when sought and requested, by other pass holders; the Chaplain is expected to pursue issues raised by Members.

13. To perform preaching and speaking engagements, where appropriate, in Parliament and around the country.

14. Hosting schools, university students and other groups exploring the links with faith and politics.

15. To work collaboratively with Christians in Parliament; the Roman Catholic Duty Priest and the Rector of St Margaret’s Westminster Abbey in a variety of areas.

16. To meet regularly with Christians in Parliament and keep abreast of the various activities which are led and initiated by them and working with them in the planning of the National Prayer Breakfast.

17. To organise and lead the annual “Retreat at work” during Lent.

18. To organise and lead the Christmas Carol services (one with the Salvation Army in Westminster Hall and two in Speaker’s House)

19. Maintenance of the Speaker’s Chaplain Website,

20. Attendance at some evening engagements.

House for Duty St Mary at Hill

St Mary at Hill is a relatively small parish in the City of London. Being in an almost exclusively non-residential area, the ministry is focused on high profile events, such as the Annual Fish Harvest, and Carol Services, as well as smaller regular events. St Mary at Hill is also in partnership with the Lutheran Church who hold a Sunday Service. The regular congregations are small but faithful, and our challenge is to find our unique place and role in an ever-changing City of London. The post of Vicar is not a simple sinecure but a challenging role in its own right.

Qualifications: The following qualifications are required for this role:

Essential An ordained Priest of the , or of a Church in communion therewith, in good standing. Qualified to a degree level or equivalent.

Desirable A higher theological or pastoral qualification

Circumstances: The office-holder is required neither to be personally active in support of a political party nor to have held elective office in Local Government nor to have been a Member of Parliament nor to have been a member of the House of Lords.

The appointment is subject to: x the terms of Common Tenure, x having the right to work in the United Kingdom, x receipt of satisfactory references (obtained prior to the interview), x receipt of Disclosure and Barring Service clearance at the enhanced level, with Barred List(s), x receipt of a license from the .

The House Service are proud of our organisational Values, which will deliver our strategy. We are looking for people who can bring these values to life:

Inclusive: We value everyone equally; We respect each other; We all have a voice Courageous: We try new things; We own our actions and decisions; We learn from our mistakes Trusted: We trust each other to do a good job; We are impartial; We build confidence in Parliament through our integrity Collaborative: We share our knowledge and experience; We work towards a shared vision; We know we work better in a partnership

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE T F A I N O E P S T R P T E L M / R I C

V E A I X E T E I W R O C N I

S E

CRITERIA 1 Proven record of providing excellent pastoral care. An experienced preacher with excellent teaching skills and knowledge.

CRITERIA 2 A faithful pastor, an inspiring leader and a partnership broker, who can enhance and extend the ministry in the City of London and in the local communities, particularly businesses, civic and livery.

CRITERIA 3 Able to approach missional outreach and pastoral work with creativity and courage. Able to inspire all to rediscover, deepen and share our faith.

CRITERIA 4 Demonstrable ability to communicate and engage with diverse groups of staff and customers to ensure that the services and facilities meet their individual needs or expectations. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

CRITERIA 5 Good ICT skills. Knowledge of Microsoft Office package, especially Outlook.

CRITERIA 6 Proven ability to work inclusively and flexibly within a team and also on own initiative. Remaining calm under pressure and able to work towards and achieve deadlines.

CRITERIA 7 Demonstrable knowledge and experience of working as a Chaplain and or Parish Priest, experienced in full-time ministry in the Church of England, or in a Church in communion therewith, as well as knowledge of ecumenical and interfaith working.

Desirable CRITERIA 8 Knowledge of the role of the Speaker and the work of the Parliament.