Anglican Chaplain at Harper Adams University

The University

Background

Harper Adams University is the leading UK Higher Education (HE) institution focused on the land-based and food supply-chain sectors with an important national role in these subject areas.

Situated on a single campus in rural and scenic , the University, and its surrounding area, provide an excellent working and living environment for staff and students alike, yet the University campus is only one hour from the UK’s second city of Birmingham. Around 3,000 HE students attend the University, primarily on sandwich courses which include a year-long industrial placement. Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are offered. The University also welcomes individuals who wish to undertake CPD or similar professional training to support their careers in the agri-food chain and rural industries.

The University was founded by Thomas Harper Adams in 1901 on the original farmland of the Harper Adams Estate. The University estate includes amenity areas, woodland, and a commercial farm of 205 hectares; with rented land the total area farmed is approximately 640 hectares, spread over several locations with cereals, potatoes, forage maize and grassland carrying a dairy herd, sheep, beef, pig and poultry units.

The Privy Council awarded taught degree awarding powers to Harper Adams in 1996 and research degree awarding powers in 2006. Full University Title was granted by Her Majesty's Privy Council in December 2012. The University changed its legal status to that of a Company Limited by Guarantee in July 2012 and remains one of a small number of Universities which are Registered Charities. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal became the University’s first in 2013.

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Academic Provision

The University offers a wide range of courses including Foundation and Honours degrees, in addition to shorter awards designed to meet the continuing professional development needs of those already in the workplace. The subjects are wide ranging and cover Agriculture, Animal Studies, Business, Countryside, Engineering, Food and Land & Property Management. The University has also focused on developing its and research and there are a growing number of postgraduate students at both diploma, masters and PhD level.

Harper Adams is consistently positioned highly in a range of national ratings, performance measures and league tables.

Facilities

Harper Adams has extensive, well-equipped facilities and is constantly investing in its campus. Facilities include a range of modern teaching facilities and an extensive library, a variety of IT suites including an engineering design centre, newly extended laboratory facilities, a field laboratory and a livestock project centre, a glasshouse complex, an agricultural engineering unit with a large covered soil working area and a number of sustainable technology installations. In 2013 a new teaching building and a new agricultural engineering innovation centre opened. In 2015/16 these were followed by two further buildings, one for veterinary services and one for entomology, and new halls of residence. Further new facilities opened in the period since 2017 include new laboratories, an Agri-Tech Innovation Hub and SMART Dairy Unit. Capital funding to support the development of many of these facilities has been provided through the work of the Development Trust. The University provides a range of training and professional development opportunities via its staff development programme.

Catering and Sports Facilities

The University’s Students’ Union operates a small gym and squash courts that staff may use on the payment of a nominal fee. The University has an open-air swimming pool and bowling green that are available for staff use during the summer period and new tennis courts have recently been developed. A variety of University catering outlets provide access to lunch facilities on campus.

For further details about the University, please visit our website: http://www.harper-adams.ac.uk

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Main duties and responsibilities of the Chaplain

Current situation:

As part of the foundation of Harper Adams Agricultural College, Church was to provide the religious support. Over recent years there has been a chaplaincy team at Harper Adams University and the current team consists of the Rector of Edgmond, Methodist Lay Minister, URC Minister and RC Deacon. The Chaplaincy is part of the Wellbeing Team within Student Services. The four ministers share a rota to provide one and a half hours Chaplains Time each week. Beyond this contact details are available to students and the team also provide support at Registration Day, Graduation Day and as needed by the university.

However, the team recognise that the potential is far greater than what can currently be provided. The Diocese of Lichfield therefore seek to appoint an Anglican Chaplain (lay or ordained) for Harper Adams University as a 0.5 post (weighted to term time) for 5 years. During this time the Chaplain will be expected to develop the contribution of the Chaplaincy within the life of Harper Adams University to be a significant and sustainable part of the Student Services provision.

There is the intention to set up a Steering Group to support the Chaplain and which will also provide line management for the Chaplain.

Role summary:

To seek, protect and encourage the life of faith and spirituality in the context of the university, supporting the pastoral and spiritual needs of staff and students within the context of a multi-faith university. To exercise a key leadership role within the ecumenical Chaplaincy Team. To appoint, train and work alongside a volunteer team in addition to the current chaplains of other denominations.

• Work ecumenically, encouraging and developing the shared vision of the chaplaincy and its place in the University and to work in line with Harper Adams University policy and procedures • Provide spiritual, pastoral, and welfare support to students (including those on placement) and staff, through a range of group and individual drop-in sessions and scheduled appointments and staff. • To be part of the appointment process of volunteers and to train and work with volunteers • To liaise with other professional services of the University, particularly colleagues within the Well- being Team and Human Resources • To support and collaborate with colleague’s well-being activities and workshops • To support Harper Adams Christian Union. • To develop a sustainable opportunity to represent staff voice and well-being at all levels, through the Staff Consultative Group and other committees. • Be involved, as appropriate, with the organisation and structures of the wider university, taking an informed interest in academic, organisational and educational issues through attendance at appropriate committee meetings.

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• Lead and participate in nurturing spirituality through chaplaincy activities, events, retreats etc. • To support the University’s business continuity planning/activities taking an active role in relation to supporting students and staff (e.g. in the event of bereavement/ grief) • Facilitate and liaise with other faith communities, modelling a positive Christian approach to inter-faith working and dialogue. • Liaise with community groups to support students with volunteering and charitable opportunities. • Liaise with the local Parishes and participate, as appropriate, in the diocesan and national structures and networks of the Church of England. • To explore the potential for partnering with chaplaincies at other university.

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Person Specification

The successful candidate will be a in good standing within the Anglican Church and with an understanding of its teachings and traditions.

Education/Qualifications

Essential: • Educated to degree level or equivalent Desirable • Qualification in University Chaplaincy • Qualification in theology, pastoral theology or similar

Experience

Essential: • Pastoral work in a variety of contexts • Ecumenical collaboration and Inter-faith liaison Desirable: • Chaplaincy experience • Knowledge of other faith traditions • Experience of leading discussion groups • Experience in facilitating, guiding and leading prayer in a variety of settings • Spiritual direction skills

• Experience of working with pertinent areas/issues such as mental health, ethics, sexuality Skills/Aptitudes/Competencies Essential: • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team as well as independently • Ability to be flexible, given the fast-changing nature of chaplaincy and Higher Education • Good listening skills • Excellent communication and presentation skills (including IT, internet and social media) • A person of prayer, with an appreciation of the witness of service and an ability to communicate sensitively the message of the gospel • Ability to engage confidently and constructively in theological discussion and learning • Committed to continuous personal, spiritual and professional development, and with a willingness to undergo training as appropriate • Ability to work with volunteers, including appointment and training • Willingness to work with other Christian denominations and other faith communities • Ability to relate well to a wide range of students and staff – eg international students; Christians from all denominations; groups and individuals from any faith background; those with no religious commitment or belief • Ability to relate warmly and well to all staff, whether support, academic or administrative

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• Ability to provide appropriate pastoral support to vulnerable individuals and respond effectively to crisis situations • Ability to work in partnership with support services and external agencies to ensure that individuals are provided with appropriate support and care • Able to participate in the institutional life of the University, bringing political acumen, problem-solving and facilitation skills • Gifted in hospitality and making people feel welcome Desirable: • Understanding of current issues in Higher Education • Good working knowledge of current Safeguarding legislation and experience of putting this into practice within a chaplaincy setting • Well-developed report writing, meeting and advocacy skills

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