The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture An ecumenical foundation...a place to celebrate and nourish the spiritual journey of Australians EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Strategic Posi on of Chris an Influence Canberra Based The Australian Centre of Chris anity and Culture (ACC&C) was established by Charles Sturt University (CSU) and The Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn in 1998. The Centre is located in Barton in Canberra on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. It is a place for the expression of and reflec on on Chris anity in Australian life. The ACC&C supports na onal occasions of celebra on and commemora on and fosters ecumenical and inter-faith dialogue and reconcilia on. A major focus of the work of the ACC&C is social inclusion and democra c ci zenship in religiously diverse socie es. The ACC&C works closely with government and community organisa ons and with the churches, including the Na onal Council of Churches of Australia. In partnership with the School of Theology at CSU, it supports research and higher degrees in theology and related fields. The Reverend Professor James Haire AC, the Execu ve Director of the ACC&C since 2002, is shortly to re re. The Board of the ACC&C seeks an outstanding leader to further the vision of the Centre. The Execu ve Director will have the opportunity to contribute to na onal dialogue through working with a wide range of communi es and organisa ons. To obtain a copy of the Job Descrip on and the Essen al Criteria for this role, please go to www.acc-c.org.au or www.csu.edu.au Enquiries to Judy Wong-See on (02) 9994 8044 or Email judy.ws@credenceintl.com. Expressions of Interest to Judy must include a Curriculum Vitae, address the criteria for appointment and provide details of at least 2 referees. Closing Date: Monday, 15 July 2013.
Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture 1. THE CENTRE 1.1. Vision APPOINTMENT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) is a place to celebrate and nourish the spiritual journey of Australians. The Centre: facilitates understanding of the role Christianity plays in Australian society and culture creates a community of study and contemplation as part of Charles Sturt University welcomes all who come to use it as a place for reflection, prayer and pilgrimage recognises and promotes the Indigenous contribution to an authentic Australian spirituality provides a focus for reconciliation emphasises the relationship between the people of Australia, the land and our shared journey The Centre, an ecumenical foundation, is a place for: the study and expression of the different Christian traditions and expressions of faith the common witness and mission of the Christian churches encounter and dialogue between Christians and people of other faiths the exhibition and performance of the arts, exploring their interaction with the Christian faith national occasions of celebration and commemoration academic excellence in theology as a part of the academic life of Charles Sturt University 1.2. Objectives The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, which is the Australian National Christian Centre, has five objectives: 1 We seek to engage in ecumenical dialogue and joint Christian celebration, reflection and action, so as to assist all Christians to fulfil their common calling in mission, to the glory of the Triune God. 2 We seek to engage in inter-faith dialogue from a Christian perspective, particularly with the followers of the other major world religions, in Australia and regionally, so as to promote understanding and co-operation in these communities. 3 We seek to encourage further reconciliation between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians as a means of expressing a central tenet of Christianity. 1
4 We seek to engage in applied Christian theology, as a means of articulating a Christian response to the will of God in the issues of contemporary society and culture. 5 We seek to engage in the issues of Christian faith and society, particularly to support the engagement of young people. 1.3. Values and Ethos The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, as the Australian National Christian Centre, will be: 1. a place of celebration for all Christians, and of dialogue between them and with those of other faiths and of none; 2. a place that honours the Indigenous peoples of Australia; 3. a place of welcome and hospitality for all seeking an encounter with Christianity; 4. a place of Christian research, study, meditation and prayer; 5. a place that seeks to provide hope and inspiration for our common future. 1.4. Strategies Following a review of the Centre s activities by The Walton Group in December 2009, the Board has developed a clear, cohesive strategy each year to help bring clarity to implementation of the Vision and to guide decision making. A Strategy was developed under the following headings: The Centre as a place of Pilgrimage and as a place of Indigenous reconciliation The Centre as a facilitator for expressing the passion and vision for young Australians The Centre as a host for interfaith dialogue and activity The Centre as a place of ecumenical celebration The Centre s relationship with the media The Centre as an academic and theological community The Centre and its relationship with church based NFP agencies The Centre and its Building Development program including its Third Stage Proposal The Centre s financial viability and funding support Broad strategic priorities including the development of the Centre as a place for Strategic Dialogue. 1.5. Current Position of ACC&C (a) Within CSU and its funding from CSU The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) is founded on an agreement (1998) between the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn and Charles Sturt University (CSU). The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) supports the Centre through the office of its Chair and Secretary. 2
The Centre is situated at the edge of the Parliamentary Triangle in Canberra on a 99 year sublease from the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn to Charles Sturt University for the purposes of enacting the Vision and Goals of the Centre as set out in the Deed of Agreement. The Centre operates with substantial autonomy under the auspices of the CSU Council. It is run by a Board with delegated powers from the University, with the Board s powers including, inter alia: Approval of policies and procedures for the operation and management of the ACC&C and achievement of its mission, objects and functions Management and expenditure of funds Management of its assets. The structure is unique within the University. Under S16 (c) of the Heads of Agreement each member of the Board is required to be a person able to carry out, and be in complete sympathy with, the Mission and Objectives of the Centre. This effectively means a Christian of good standing. The University meets the full remuneration package and entitlements of the current Executive Director at Level E (Professorial Level), plus 17% superannuation. The current Executive Director of the ACC&C is also Director of CSU s Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre (PACT) and an adjunct professor in CSU s School of Theology. In these capacities the Executive Director contributes to research leadership, research and higher degree supervision in fields within theology which are closely linked to the objectives of the ACC&C. The appointee to the position of Executive Director may be considered by the University for conjoint appointment as Director, PACT and as a professor within the School of Theology. Additionally CSU supports the Centre through: Providing accounting, administrative, IT and other support All grounds and maintenance activities, apart from the maintenance of the Bible Garden, the maintenance of which is paid for from the Bible Garden Memorial Trust. All insurances, including public liability Utility charges Costs of operation of the Executive Director s motor vehicle when used for CSU purposes Support for consultancy studies, eg PwC study, Jane Walton Review Additional support through capital funding, eg $4.4m for George Browning House, the administrative building of the ACC&C, and $1.25m to upgrade the Pavilion, one of the ACC&C s meeting facilities. A Capital Expenditure Budget of approx. $10m has been allocated for a substantial new building development on the site. (b) Relationship with the Anglican Diocese In establishing and sponsoring the Centre within CSU, the Heads of Agreement states that the Diocese is furthering the Christian mission of proclamation, dialogue, teaching, hospitality, study, worship and pastoral care. 3
Under the Agreement the Bishop of the Diocese must approve the appointment of all Board members and is Ex Officio a member of the Board, as is the Vice-Chancellor of CSU. They together also have powers of removal of members from the Board. The Diocese has provided an asset of sub-leased land valued in excess of $30 million. This has been provided to CSU for the purposes of the Centre. Beyond this the Diocese does not contribute financially to the running of the Centre. (c) Potential Relationship with Government In 2011, the Centre undertook a Feasibility Study funded by Commonwealth Government and CSU. The Study found high levels of support in the community and amongst national leaders for the work of the ACC&C, especially its work in promoting social inclusion and in creating space within a democracy for religion and inter-religious dialogue. The Study made the case for Commonwealth funding for the infrastructure to house a National Centre for Social Inclusion and for a Great Space, a national meeting space on the ACC&C s site on Lake Burley Griffin. Follow-up discussions with the Commonwealth remain active but no capital funding has been provided to date. CSU has indicated that it is willing to make a cocontribution to the funding of the Centre for Inclusion. Currently, as part of the Government s response to the Feasibility Study, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the ACC&C are negotiating the funding for an international Islamic Scholar to be located at the ACC&C to contribute to a program of interfaith dialogue. 2 THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2.1. The Position The Executive Director is appointed by the Vice-Chancellor of CSU with the agreement of the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese and on the advice and approval of the Board of the ACC&C. The Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture is offered a strategic opportunity to play a major role in the development of a reinvigorated and embracing spirituality at the heart of the nation through leadership, dialogue, scholarship and engagement across ecumenical, interfaith and generational boundaries. In partnership with the Board, the Director will be encouraged and supported to lift the Centre to a new organizational and financial structure capable of fulfilling its Vision and establishing it as a key contributor to the nation s cultural development. Specifically, the Position: (a) Develops the Centre as a focus for Christian witness and dialogue in National Public Life Offers hospitality for both ecumenical and denominational gatherings Promotes debate and dialogue on public issues and values Works with Heads of Churches and with national and ecumenical bodies Seeks to advocate Christian values in national life Promotes and serves on the Board of the Centre for Ecumenical Studies. 4
(b) Fosters research and scholarship relevant to the work and vision of the Centre Holds the position of Professor (Level E) at Charles Sturt University and maintains appropriate personal scholarly activity Works in cooperation with the School of Theology based at St Mark s National Theological Centre and the United Theological College and with PACT May be invited to supervise Doctoral Students (PhD and DMin) May be invited to act as Director of PACT within CSU Accepts significant responsibilities pertaining to the office of Professor within the University, inclusive of its collegial, academic and research life Contributes to the academic exchange of ideas nationally and internationally (c) Deepens and extends the Centre s work of dialogue, including inter-faith dialogue Works with and encourages those already committed to a Centre for National Dialogue Encourages the development of such a Centre as a core element in the life of the ACC&C Supports and further develops the Centre s established role in inter-faith dialogue Supports partnership with Government in the appointment of an eminent Islamic Scholar. (d) Seeks to maximise the national potential of the site as a place of reconciliation, celebration and gathering. Promotes the Centre as a significant contributor to reconciliation with Indigenous Australians Is entrepreneurial in outlook Seeks philanthropic investment in the Centre s various enterprises Brings to the Board ideas for the completion of stages 2 and 3 of the Centre s development Works with the University and Government for the development of the National Centre for Social Inclusion Promotes the Centre as a place for national occasions of celebration and commemoration Implements Board policy in relation to hiring and public use of the property. 2.2 The job offer that the Board/CSU can make: Details of salary and emoluments The current salary is that of a Professor at Level E. In addition to the salary, superannuation at 17% is paid by the University. Length of contract Appointment will be on the basis of a fixed term contract of up to five years. The appointment may be renewed for further periods by agreement of the parties and on the recommendation of the Board of the ACC&C. 5
2.3 Criteria Process of review In relation to the Board of the ACC&C, the bi-monthly Report of the Executive Director provides the basis for ongoing appraisal of that person s work. The Board Chair exercises a specific responsibility on behalf of the Board to give critical performance feedback and report back to the Board. (As the Director of PACT, should this position be conjointly held, the appointee would report to and be supervised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) of CSU. The appointee would be responsible to the Head, School of Theology for the quality of doctoral supervision.) (a) Essential Attributes proven record and recognition as a leader in a Christian denomination a sense of vocation and passion for leadership of the Centre a deep commitment to dialogue - ecumenical, interfaith and reconciliation significant national standing relevant to the work of the ACC&C able to work in ambiguous governance arrangements between the University, the Board and the church and to nurture relational rather than vertical ways of working able to create social and intellectual capital for the ACC&C and attract financial capital. (b) Essential Competencies 1. Academic Leader in Theology and Dialogue meet criteria for Professorial status within CSU, including capacity for supervision of PhDs and other Research Higher Degrees (RHDs), research and publication and national/ international recognition for intellectual leadership. Evidence of ability to shape and influence the public discourse in Australia regarding the place of Christianity in Australian society. The CSU Minimum Standards for Academic Levels state for Level E (Professor) that: o o o A Level E academic will provide leadership and foster excellence in research, teaching and policy development in the academic discipline within the University and within the community, professional, commercial or industrial sectors. A Level E academic will have attained recognition as an eminent authority in his or her discipline, will have achieved distinction at the national level and may be required to have achieved distinction at the international level. A Level E academic will make original, innovative and distinguished contributions to scholarship, researching and teaching in his or her discipline. He or she will make a commensurate contribution to the work of the University. recognised leadership potential in the various areas of the Centre s dialogue activities - ecumenical, inter-faith and reconciliation with First Australians. 2. Capable of managing and growing a not-for-profit entity track record in planning, and ability to attract funding skills in managing and ensuring effective administration of a portfolio of programs 6
3. National leadership able to nurture extensive and positive engagement with a wide range of constituencies in Australia's national life, including the churches, decision-makers in government and public life and Indigenous Australians Skills in media, public speaking or other forms of communication/engagement 3 FURTHER INFORMATION AND EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Potential applicants are invited to discuss the Position with the Chair of the Board of the ACC&C, Professor Ross Chambers (rchambers@csu.edu.au or 02 6272 6203). Expressions of Interest should be forwarded to Judy Wong-See at Credence International by 15 July 2013. These should include a Curriculum Vitae, address the criteria for appointment, and give the names of at least two referees. 7