HISTORIC CHURCHES SUPPORT OFFICER AND ASSISTANT TO DIOCESAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SECRETARY INFORMATION PACK

Transcription

1 HISTORIC CHURCHES SUPPORT OFFICER AND ASSISTANT TO DIOCESAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE SECRETARY INFORMATION PACK The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a sustainable network of Christ-like, lively and diverse Christian communities in every place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and God s world. Diocesan Vision Statement

2 Contents 1. Advert and application process 2 2. Background information to the diocese, the Diocesan 3 Advisory Committee and the post 3. Job description 7 4. Person specification 9 5. Terms and conditions of employment 11 1

3 Historic Churches Support Officer Salary - 23,998-26,560 pa ( 11,999-13,280 pa pro rata) 17.5 hours per week The Diocese of Sheffield has a unique opportunity for a suitably qualified individual to undertake this new and exciting role primarily but not exclusively in the support of the historic churches of the diocese. The Diocese has over 200 unique church buildings. One third of these are listed Grade I or II* and encompass the full range of ecclesiastical architecture from Anglo-Saxon times to the Liturgical Movement of the twentieth century. The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) is the lead body in the diocese for advice on the care and development of church buildings; providing advice to parishes and Archdeacons and the Diocesan Chancellor. Reporting to the Secretary to the DAC, the successful applicant for this role will proactively engage with parishes to make certain all congregations understand, maintain and ensure their buildings are sustainable and valued assets that can be used by the community. Candidates must understand what is required for long term, high level repairs and maintenance of historic buildings/churches and ideally have understanding of the Care of Churches Measure 1991, its related instruments, and Faculty Jurisdiction rules 2013 and 2015 or be willing to learn. It is vital that applicants have the technical skills necessary to devise a plan to address the priorities identified by surveyors and architects. In addition experience of successful grant applications, working with volunteers and developing training and support to help them care for listed buildings is important. If you are interested in learning more then download the information pack from the diocesan website: or contact Julie Banham, DAC Secretary for an informal conversation on Closing date for receiving applications: 5 pm on 3 rd May 2017 Interviews will take place on: 9th May

4 THE DIOCESE The Diocese of Sheffield was founded in 1914 and contains the whole of the city of Sheffield, the Borough of Rotherham and the Borough of Doncaster. In addition, it contains much of the Borough of Barnsley and areas of the East Riding of Yorkshire around Goole across to the edge of North Lincolnshire. Consequently, we serve almost 1.2 million people across South Yorkshire and adjoining areas. The Diocese of Sheffield covers an area of 580 square miles and has over 200 unique church buildings. All have been shaped by the communities they serve and collectively reflect and challenge popular perceptions of the region as dominated by the rise, fall and evolution of heavy industry. A third of our churches are listed Grade I or II* and a quarter are in rural areas with low levels of population. The diocese has churches that reflect the many different styles of Anglican worship and encompass the full range of ecclesiastical architecture from Anglo-Saxon times to the Liturgical Movement of the twentieth century. They range in size and complexity from small, rural single cell medieval churches to large red-brick buildings. Over time, they have been extended and altered to suit the changing needs of society and the families who called them their church. Church buildings are now being put to greater use than ever before. They have an increasing role in everyday life and are an important part of our local and national heritage. The role will focus on encouraging all parishes to care for their buildings by responding to the repairs identified in their quinquennial reports and working with their quinquennial inspector to secure a sustainable future for their buildings. The parishes are served by 137 stipendiary clergy; around 30 self-supporting ministers and over 400 licensed Readers and other lay ministers. There are twelve deaneries and two archdeaconries in the Diocese. The Diocese contains many contrasts in terms of relative wealth and poverty with very many areas of both urban and rural deprivation. The churches vary very significantly in terms of ecclesial tradition and size. Further information about the Diocese and the area it serves can be found on the Diocesan website at 3

5 THE DIOCESAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Overview The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) is a statutory body set up under the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure Under this legislation the main function of a DAC is to give advice on the architecture, archaeology, art and history of places of worship to the diocesan chancellor, the archdeacons and parishes. As the first stage of the Faculty Jurisdiction, the DAC considers faculty applications and advises the Chancellor whether a faculty should be granted. The DAC for the Diocese of Sheffield consists of 26 experts who offer practical advice on traditional aspects of church care including architecture, archaeology, organs, bells, clocks, stained glass and liturgy. They are volunteers who freely give their time for the ten annual committee meetings and the numerous site visits required throughout the year. For the benefit of the committee and individual parishes members are widely consulted in the operation of List B permissions for minor work and provide specific advice in their area of expertise as and when required. Church buildings are major assets for the Church of England. They are usually prominent features in local landscapes, their purpose is easily identified, they attract visitors and are generally valued by the wider community; many are listed, stunningly beautiful and integral to history of the local area. Yet, repair costs and legislation combine with the lack of people, knowledge and parishbased resources to make the care of church buildings difficult in the current climate. Changing Landscape The Church of England s Reform and Renewal report and the current Department for Culture, Media and Sport s (DCMS) review of the sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals acknowledge the challenges faced by church buildings in a time of ageing and shrinking congregations, the ever-changing demography of dioceses, diminishing funds and the rise of secularism. Collectively they are introducing substantial changes to the traditional role of the DAC. The remit of DACS has increased in recent years as a result of changes to faculty jurisdiction, the introduction of major, resource and festival churches, new licensing arrangements, the need to help parishes make greater use of their buildings, keep them in good order and share their heritage and services with the wider community. DACs now provide advice on contemporary needs such as heating, lighting, heritage interpretation, tourism, health and safety, access, signage and the creation of flexible and welcoming environments. The Church Buildings Council (CBC) defines DACs as the lead body in the diocese for advice on the care and development of church buildings; providing advice to parishes and Archdeacons and the Diocesan Chancellor. 4

6 DACs provide advice and support to parishes at all stages of projects, from initial thoughts, developing statements of significance and needs, through fundraising and making a faculty application, to completion. They are expected to provide verbal and written guidance on a wide range of subjects from the care and maintenance of church buildings, the appointment of quinquennial inspectors, managing projects, fundraising, working with community groups and helping churches to discern how to be open and sustainable. The Sheffield DAC has been at the fore of realizing the need to proactively serve and support the diocese s highly diverse 212 churches. The Diocese of Sheffield is unusual for having liturgies that span evangelical, Anglo-Catholic and liberal traditions with worship taking place in a variety of complex and composite Saxon, Romanesque, Gothic, Enlightenment, Victorian and Liturgical Movement churches it would be difficult to find in such a relatively compact area anywhere else in the country. The Sheffield Diocesan Advisory Committee The Sheffield Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) works with all parishes to ensure their buildings are well-maintained places of hope, opportunity, sociability and life-changing experience. The Sheffield DAC aims: To ensure church buildings are maintained to the best possible standard To promote due regard for faculty jurisdiction so that churches retain control of their buildings To advise on the architecture, archaeology, art and history of places of worship to the diocesan chancellor, the archdeacons and parishes. Provide practical advice and encouragement to help congregations make strategic, evidence-based and sustainable changes to their buildings To invigorate and support worshipping congregations by exploring new ways of engaging with local communities To encourage and assist churches to discover, celebrate and share the heritage of their building and parish. To employ heritage as a means of fostering educational opportunities, widening horizons and raising skills within the local community. To help churches create a welcoming, stimulating and hospitable heart for their parishes seven days a week. To ensure all works are carried out to the best possible standard To foster the role of church buildings as positive and valued assets in cultivating and supporting the ever-changing social, cultural and spiritual needs of their parishes To preserve heritage and make church buildings fit for the liturgies, uses and technologies of the twenty-first century. 5

7 THE POST Historic Churches Support Office & Assistant to the Diocesan Advisory Committee Secretary The role of the Historic Churches Support Officer is to help all congregations understand, maintain and ensure their buildings are sustainable and valued assets as far as their condition and fabric. The post holder will help to secure the sustainable future of church buildings across the diocese by developing strategic approaches for improved understanding, appreciation and conservation of historic churches, helping parishes to identify the key needs of their buildings and assist in identifying and applying for grants to secure funding for repairs. THE VISION Our Diocesan vision statement was affirmed and restated as part of the Diocesan profile for the Vacancy in See. We have a clear, agreed strategy contained in four booklets: Growing the Body of Christ, Salt and Light, A Little Letter on Giving and Forming and Equipping the People of God. We have a clear vision and sense of direction for the development of lay and ordained ministry within the Diocese, including:- Helping to form lay and ordained ministers who are equipped to grow the church Offering frameworks of support and patterns of life which help every church grow its own culture of discipleship Offering training and support in discipleship to complement what the local church is offering Identifying obstacles to growth in discipleship in our life and culture and developing strategies to address them The diocese is currently expressing its commitment to mission by asking every church to create a Mission Action Plan. This is prompting a fresh realisation, shared by many in the wider Church, of the vital need for clergy and lay leaders to have an understanding of their roles as offering leadership that specifically enables churches to be effective in sharing in God s mission. As a diocese we need all our ordained and lay ministers to be committed to: God s mission and to the formation of disciples Working collaboratively across parishes, mission partnerships and the mixed economy Ongoing learning and formation and to be adaptable to our changing context. We look to all our ordained and lay ministers for a generous flexibility in deployment across parishes, mission partnerships, traditions and deaneries so that resources for ministry are made available where they are most needed. 6

8 JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: EMPLOYER: RESPONSIBLE TO: LOCATION: Historic Churches Support Officer Sheffield Diocesan Board of Finance Secretary to the Diocesan Advisory Committee Diocesan Church House, Rotherham MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The role of the Historic Churches Support Officer is to help all congregations understand, maintain and ensure their buildings are sustainable and valued assets as far as their condition and fabric. The post holder will help to secure the sustainable future of church buildings across the diocese by developing strategic approaches for improved understanding, appreciation and conservation of historic churches, helping parishes to identify the key needs of their buildings and assist in identifying and applying for grants to secure funding for repairs. The postholder will supply data to enable the strategic deployment of diocesan and other resources in the support of church buildings. In addition the post holder will offer assistance when required to the DAC Secretary in the day-today operation of the department and in progressing casework, acquiring understanding and the ability to communicate the need for upholding faculty jurisdiction and associated legislation. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Strategic 1.1 To pro-actively engage with parishes to ensure the future robustness of church buildings and develop their use for the community. 1.2 To assist with the identification and pursuit of relevant grant applications for the development and maintenance of church buildings 1.3 Establish good links with external organisations including Church Buildings Council, Historic England and the Amenity Bodies and grant giving bodies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, National Churches Trust and others 1.4 Promote and facilitate access to sources of funding and encourage congregations to think imaginatively about income generation to maintain their buildings. 1.5 Be familiar with current developments in the conservation of historic places of worship and relevant developments nationally; encouraging PCCs and congregations to implement best practice standards for their church buildings and associated historic assets. 1.6 Work to prevent churches being placed on the Heritage at Risk Register and reduce the number of churches at risk in the Diocese by helping congregations to understand, manage and maintain their historic buildings. 7

9 2. Operational 2.1 To apply a sound understanding of the Care of Churches Measure 1991, its related instruments, and Faculty Jurisdiction rules 2013 and 2015 encouraging all parishes to comply with necessary legislation. 2.2 To deploy their understanding of the workings, services and requirements of the Church Buildings Council, Historic England and the Amenity Bodies. 2.3 To assist the DAC Secretary in the formation and maintenance of the Diocesan List of Approved Architects and Surveyors for quinquennial inspections under the Inspection of Churches Measure 1955 and any subsequent legislation 2.4 To ensure all parishes have appointed a Quinquennial Inspector of suitable experience and qualifications by process of interview and provide advice on the interview process and questions to be asked of candidates. 2.5 To ensure all parishes have up to date quinquennial reports circulating reminders to parishes and to encourage the prompt delivery of reports by inspectors 2.6 To promote amongst all quinquennial inspectors the minimum requirement of a QI report in terms of content, background information, illustrations, list of priority works and level of information provided. 2.7 Help congregations to organise and manage major repair projects including liaison with professional advisers such as architects, structural engineers and quantity surveyors. 2.8 To help parishes comply with tendering and procurement regulations as and when required 2.9 To identify and communicate to parishes the main needs of their building as identified in their QI Report and assist in the development of action plans To assist parishes in the maintenance of their buildings by sourcing and offering training from relevant sources such as the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and others 2.11 Be responsible for the collation of data from QI reports to enable parishes and the diocese to understand the state of church buildings and associated churchyards and make strategic long-term decisions about their viability Attend DAC meetings when required and provide progress reports, statistical analysis of the work of DAC at meetings as and when required and data for the Diocese s Annual Report Liaise closely with the Diocesan Registry 2.14 Offer or facilitate guidance and training to congregations and the wider community in maintaining places of worship, including preventative maintenance, making use of existing training and website resources Provide support for conferences open days and other events arranged by the department from time to time 3. Other Such other duties of a comparable nature as may be required. This role description provides a guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post and is not an exhaustive list. The post holder may be asked to undertake any other relevant duties appropriate to the post. The role description will be amended over time, in full consultation with the post holder, to meet the needs of the Diocese. 8

10 SHEFFIELD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE PERSON SPECIFICATION HISTORIC CHURCHES SUPPORT OFFICER CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE Qualifications Relevant degree, equivalent qualifications or relevant experience. Relevant postgraduate qualification Membership of a relevant professional body Knowledge Understanding of what is required for long term, high level repairs and maintenance of historic buildings/churches. Knowledge of community funding resources and how to access them. Sound understanding of the Care of Churches Measure 1991, its related instruments, and Faculty Jurisdiction rules 2013 and 2015 An understanding of the workings, services and requirements of the Church Buildings Council, Historic England and the Amenity Bodies. Experience Experience of developing training and support for volunteers to care for listed and/or complex buildings. Experience of working with community groups and volunteers to build capacity and understanding of sound basic maintenance schemes Experience of successful grant applications for major funding Technical and Applied Skills Skill to devise a plan for addressing the priorities identified by surveyors and architects. Problem solving skills Project management skills including monitoring and evaluation. Negotiation skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Developing training for volunteers Working with volunteers from a variety of backgrounds and expectations Database creation Data analysis Use of mapping tools 9

11 Competencies Demonstrable ability to prepare reports and assessments. Ability to create and maintain databases Ability to work within and influence an organisation. Ability to speak fluently and concisely to formal and informal meetings. Ability to explain difficult or complex issues to people of wide ranging abilities and backgrounds. Personal Attributes In sympathy with the aims and ethos of the Diocese of Sheffield and the Church of England. Willingness to engage with the wider community. An eye for detail A full driving licence and access to transport for site visits across the diocese. Willingness to work flexibly including occasional evenings and weekends Ability to convey information in a variety of formats to suit different needs Excellent interpersonal skills 10

12 Terms and Conditions of Service Salary This is a salaried position as an employee of the Sheffield Diocesan Board of Finance at 23,998-26,560 pa ( 11,999-13,280 pa pro rata) depending on experience. Pension Non-Contributory Church of England Pension Builder 2014 Scheme (Defined Contribution).Place of work Diocesan Church House, Effingham Street, Rotherham, S65 1BL Hours of work This is a part time post for 17.5 hours per week which will require a flexible approach to working hours. The post holder will be expected to work the hours reasonably required to fulfil the duties of the post. This will include attendance at evening and weekend meetings and events for which time off in lieu may be available. Working expenses Normal working costs reimbursed on expenses. Expenses for travel following HMRC guidelines at 45p/mile up to 10,000 miles, 25p thereafter. (30p/mile journeys outside the diocese.) Holidays The full annual entitlement for full time employees is 25 days for the first 4 years of employment, then increasing by one day per year to a maximum of 28 days. The post holder is also entitled to statutory and customary holidays. Holidays for part time employees are calculated on a pro rata basis reflecting the hours and days worked. Probation period Six months during which time progress will be reviewed. If necessary this period may be extended. 11