Thank you for expressing interest in the position of General Secretary. The Information pack contains the position description and the selection criteria for the General Secretary. Your application for the position should include the following: (i) An outline of why you believe you may be called to the position of General Secretary and how your life experience would assist you to be successful in the position. (ii) Examples (particular and specific) as per the selection criteria from your past work and ministry which demonstrate your ability to address the requirements of the position. (iii) A resume which includes details of your formal qualifications, work history, and the name and contact details of two referees. Closing Date: 12 May 2017. Please email applications to applicationsgensec@nswact.uca.org.au The Nominating Committee wishes you well. In Christ s service, Peter Andrews Convenor Nominating Committee Mobile: 0414 500 880 Email: phcmdandrews@ozemail.com.au
OUR VISION AND VALUES The Uniting Church in Australia is a Christian fellowship which confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord over its own life and the whole creation, and which lives in the hope that Christ is the beginning of a new creation and a new humanity. We are called to be a fellowship of reconciliation, a body within which everyone s gifts can be used to build up the church and serve the world, and a witness to Christ. The Church seeks to be a pledge and foretaste of that coming reconciliation and renewal which is God s promise for the whole creation. It honours and encourages diversity, works for reconciliation, seeks justice and equity for all, and is committed to the unity of God s Church. It acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the custodians of the land on which it lives and it is committed to a covenant relationship with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress. The Vision of the Synod of NSW and the ACT is: that the Uniting Church will be a fellowship of reconciliation, living God s love and acting for the common good to build a just and compassionate community The mission of the Synod s operational areas is to inspire, empower and support the Uniting Church in all its varied expressions to live out our Christian faith. Living this Vision and Mission necessitates supporting the goals of: Bringing people to God s Love Responding to human need and strengthening community Transforming unjust social structures Continuing to learn and grow Protecting and renewing creation Underpinning the actions and activities of the Synod are the following values and behaviours: Generous and Inclusive Honest and Accountable Diligent and Professional Just and Compassionate Hopeful and Courageous
ORGANISATION The Uniting Church was the first church to be created in and of Australia. Our Congregations reflect the multicultural face of our country they re inviting and embrace people from all corners of the globe. As the third largest Christian denomination in Australia, The Uniting Church operates through a series of inter-related councils local church Congregations, regional Presbyteries, state Synods, and the national Assembly. Each council has its distinct tasks, and each council recognises, heeds and respects the limits of its responsibilities in relation to other councils. Please refer to https://assembly.uca.org.au/images/stories/ascminutes/2014/march/103mins_-_attachment_d_- _Structures_of_the_UCA.pdf PRIME ACCOUNTABILITES The prime accountabilities of the role of General Secretary are: Provide leadership to the Synod of NSW/ACT, Synod Council and Synod Standing Committee, by empathic, decisive and visible personal involvement and through: a. Actively engaging in strategic thinking and theological reflection about the life, direction, vision and mission of the Church; b. facilitation of the development and coordination of mission and strategic initiatives that articulate and respond to the perceived future of the Church and the society in which it exists; c. the encouragement, growth and inspiration of all of the people in the Church; d. ensuring collaboration with other Councils of the Church; Support and collaborate with the Moderator in the execution of their role; Undertake the responsibilities of CEO of the Synod s administration by; a. providing leadership to all staff in Synod roles as well as to Synod Committees and entities; ensuring there is coordination, teamwork and collaboration; b. ensuring there is persistent focus upon the viability of the Synod with due regard to efficiencies, effectiveness, change management; sound governance and continual attention to compliance, risk identification and mitigation; c. accepting (personally or via a delegate) an ex-officio role on all Synod entities. Execute the role of General Secretary as prescribed within UCA Regulation 6.4, reflected in the By Laws and policies of the Synod and as directed from time to time by the Synod or Synod Standing Committee. Maintain (in conjunction with the Moderator) an active ecumenical involvement and be available to government and the media to converse about matters of public interests
SELECTION CRITERIA The following requirements shall apply to the General Secretary and so define the criteria which will guide the identification and nomination of the General Secretary. Essential Criteria: A strong personal faith in Jesus Christ. Active membership of the Uniting Church in Australia. A commitment to promote the mission and ethos of the Church. An understanding of and commitment to the covenanting relationship between UAICC and the rest of the Church. An understanding of and commitment to the multi-cultural nature of the UCA. A commitment to working ecumenically. Tertiary level education relevant to the position and (ideally) qualifications in corporate governance. Knowledge Skills and Experience: 6. 7. 8. 9. Thorough working knowledge of the Church and the polity of the Church, including the Basis of Union, Constitution & Regulations or the proven ability to quickly assimilate into a complex working environment. Demonstrated ability to lead organisations through change and growth processes with the use of an influential leadership style. Demonstrated capacity to think theologically (within the broad theological framework of the Basis of Union and related writings) and strategically and facilitate strategic outcomes within complex organizations, preferably in the context of the Church. Demonstrated disciplined thinking, decision making and problem solving on complex issues, in particular financial management, change management and quality service delivery. Demonstrated ability to implement key organisational resolutions, decisions and strategies within financial and time restraints and to engage in collaborative processes for decision making and problem solving with a broad range of stakeholders, some of whom may have competing interests. Demonstrated capacity to provide leadership in context on issues confronting the Church in its ministry and mission. Demonstrated ability to exercise leadership that facilitates outcomes through influencing a wide range of stakeholders, including in a culturally diverse context. Demonstrated ability to articulate the church's position and/or strategy, both within and externally to the church. Excellent interpersonal communication skills, demonstrating the capacity to engage, influence, enthuse and motivate individuals and groups. Excellent written communication skills.
10. At least 10 years' experience leading and managing multifaceted organisations where influence is a key leadership attribute. Other Mandatory Requirements The General Secretary works with the ethos of the Church in compliance with the Code of and Ministry Practice of the Church. Flexibility of work practice, including after-hours and weekend work. Availability for intra and interstate travel. A Working with Children clearance and undergo a criminal history check. Possession of a current driver s license. TERMS OF PLACEMENT The appointment to the position of General Secretary will be made by the Synod at is meeting scheduled for 30th September to 3 rd October, 2017. If the nominee is an Ordained person the appointment will be for an initial period of five years, with a review in the fourth year. Re-appointment for a subsequent period(s) will be at the discretion of the Synod Standing Committee. If a lay person is appointed a probationary period will apply. Whether Ordained or Lay, the Synod Standing Committee will conduct an annual performance appraisal of the Synod General Secretary. Appropriate stipend, allowances and housing (or salary equivalent for lay persons) will apply so as to appropriately reflect the responsibilities of the role.