JOB DESCRIPTION FOR: INTERN TO THE OF

Document issue date: April 2017 The Bishop’s Office, Bishop’s House, 23 Davenport Road, Coventry, CV5 Location: 6PW; travel, by car, required throughout the Diocese and, at times, beyond. (for which a valid driving licence is required)

Role Profile:

The has been running an innovative and successful Intern Scheme since September 2010. The Bishop is seeking to appoint two new Interns from September 2017 to work with the Bishop’s PA and the Bishop’s Secretary in the team that provides direct support to his ministry.

Between them, Bishop’s Interns cover the areas of responsibility listed below under ‘Main Activities and Responsibilities’. In some areas they are equally involved; in others they specialise; while in others one takes the lead and the other supports.

The post offers an opportunity to:  work closely with a Diocesan Bishop;  develop and apply theological and ethical understanding;  gain an understanding both of how the as a whole operates through its various structures and of how a particular Diocese works within it as a regional expression of the Church;  see the life of a wide range of parishes, communities and schools;  appreciate the place of the Church of England in the life of a region and the nation as a whole;  develop an understanding of the working of the House of Lords, the role of the Lords Spiritual in it and the place of the Church of England in public debate and policy making;  take part in the developing inter-church and inter-religious relationships within the Diocese and beyond, and to support the Bishop’s role in these;  learn about the international life of the Church, especially through Coventry’s ministry of peace and reconciliation;  learn the skills of working in a small, busy office;  acquire project management skills;  develop a rhythm of prayer around the Daily Office and regular celebration of the Eucharist.

In so doing, the post also provides an opportunity to discern whether to pursue a future in some form of Christian ministry and service. In essence, the intention is that Bishop’s Interns form a small community of prayer, fellowship, study and theological conversation around the Bishop at the heart of the .

Role Progression: It is expected that Interns commit themselves to at least one year’s service but the post is open, in principle, to two years (subject to performance). So far, 3 out of the 9 post-holders have moved on to other roles after one year, and 6 have remained for a second year. For those who remain in post for a second year, the remuneration is increased and the role is developed into a research assistant role with the post re-named as such.

After leaving the Bishop’s staff, Interns have gone on to a variety of roles, including candidates for ordained ministry, research students, a policy researcher with the Evangelical Alliance, membership of the ’s Reconciliation Team who then entered the Civil Service Fast Stream programme.

Key Relationships:

The post-holders will accountable to the Bishop of Coventry and will work in close partnership with the Bishop’s PA (from whom the Interns receive direction for administrative / reception duties, project development and other practical tasks), and the Bishop’s Secretary to provide direct support to the Bishop’s ministry.

Other significant relationships will be with members of the Bishop’s Core and Extended Staff, Diocesan Administrative Staff, the Clergy and Churchwardens of the Diocese and the Interns to ’s Canon for Reconciliation (with whom the Bishop’s Interns currently form a Reading Group), and some key office holders in the central administration of the Church of England including the Parliamentary Unit (especially the Church of England’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs).

Main Activities and Responsibilities:

1 Spiritual support To provide both a rhythm of prayer through the Morning and Evening Office and focused prayer for the Bishop’s ministry and for particular Diocesan needs, and to ensure the smooth running of the Bishop’s Chapel.

2 Research assistance (a) To undertake research and academic support for the Bishop’s liturgical, theological and socio- political ministry, including preparatory work on sermons, talks and speeches, support for writing projects, finessing texts for publication, summarising books, articles and papers, the production of PowerPoint (or similar) presentations.

To note: the Bishop  is Chair of the Faith and Order Commission of the Church of England  is a Member of the House of ’ Standing Committee  is Chair of the National Planning Group to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation

(b) To undertake research for the Bishop’s role in the House of Lords. To note: the Bishop’s lead areas among the Lords Spiritual are: Foreign Affairs, Education, Beginning and End of Life Issues

3 Project development To progress particular projects in which the Bishop is closely involved. Past examples have included the promotion of credit unions; promotion of Coventry Children’s University; support for projects addressing domestic violence and sexual abuse; assisting in setting up the Coventry Winter Night Shelter; preparations for the Commemorations of the First World War; and developing a website for the Bishop. More recently, interns have assisted with the diocesan involvement in ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ initiative (https://www.thykingdomcome.global), which included preparation of material for the Diocesan Pilgrimage in 2016. 2018 will be the Centenary of Coventry Diocese which will be marked in a number of ways including a 3-day visit by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is anticipated that the Interns will have a significant role to play in that visit as well as in the Centenary celebrations as a whole.

4 Administrative support and reception duties Approximately 25% of each Intern’s time will be spent in providing clerical and administrative support within the Bishop’s Office as required by the Bishop’s PA and in providing reception duties. There will be a wide range of tasks normally associated with a busy office, some straightforward and some more demanding (eg drafting email and letters, managing processes for confirmations, and improving means of the Bishop’s communication through the website, video-recording etc); most of them, especially reception duties (including answering the telephone etc), require good inter- personal skills.

5 Liturgical support To liaise with parishes and other Christian communities (once bookings have been made by the Bishop’s PA) over the Bishop’s visits to preside and to preach at acts of worship, agree the liturgy and act as Bishop’s Chaplain in the act of worship.

6 Hospitality To support the hospitality provided by the Bishop both to those attending appointments and meetings and to guests for functions and events, together with visitors staying in the Guest Flat.

7 Driving To drive the Bishop and, where appropriate, other guests, to services, meetings and other events, and to ensure that the Bishop’s car is in a fit condition for use.

8 Other practical tasks To be ready to assist in practical tasks around the house, office and grounds as necessary.

Candidature:

The posts will be open to people: . who are considering their future career after graduation, whether first degree, masters or doctorate (applications from graduates in Theology, Religious Studies, Economics, Politics, Sociology and related fields will be particularly welcome); Page 2 of 3 . who are considering Christian work or ministry, lay or ordained; . who have completed their training for ordination but who have delayed their first appointment in ordained ministry for good reason; . who will be able to provide appropriate support to the Bishop, work flexibly and collaboratively, commit themselves to the Christian disciplines of life-style and prayer; . who hold a valid driving licence, or will do soon.

Please note: It is a genuine occupational requirement (in line with Part 1 of Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010) that the post holder is a practising Christian. The successful candidate must have permission to work in the United Kingdom by the start of their employment.

Terms and Conditions:

1 Hours per week 35 hours per week. The post will include a flexible half-day a week for personal academic study at a time convenient to the Bishop and the smooth running of his office.

2 Remuneration £12,860 per annum

3 Housing Housing, including Council Tax but exclusive of other bills, will be provided at no cost to the post- holders; this will involve payment of housing allowance in addition to remuneration, thereby raising the total remuneration package to £18,856. Interns share the accommodation provided at 81 Kensington Road, Earlsdon, Coventry CV5 6GG, which is located within easy walking distance of Bishop’s House.

4 Duration of appointment The post will begin on 1st September 2017, although the possibility of a summer start would be considered. Each Intern would be expected to commit to at least one year of service.

5 Probationary period The post will be subject to a probationary period of three months.

6 Training Specific training opportunities will be provided as necessary, as well as (fully-funded) attendance at one conference and one retreat a year.

Application process

Application should be made by means of the application form supplied with this information or available on the Diocesan Website (www.dioceseofcoventry.org) or through Ms Christine Camfield, PA to the Bishop, Bishop’s House, 23 Davenport Road, Coventry CV5 6PW ([email protected]). Referees should include an academic referee.

Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Friday, 19th May 2017

Interviews will take place in Coventry on: Thursday, 1st June 2017

The present post-holders are available for comment on the role and work of an Intern to the Bishop of Coventry: -

Victoria Price – [email protected] or Evan Rieder – [email protected]

Page 3 of 3