Vocations Coordinator

Overview

The purpose of this new role is to work with the Vocations Team to provide opportunities for Christians to explore their vocation and encourage whole life discipleship. The post holder will have responsibility for managing key diocesan events and initiatives to promote vocations, with a particular focus on encouraging lay people in their vocation and calling. As well as events and process management, the role involves a significant element of vocational and pastoral work with individuals and presentation/training work with groups.

Closing date is 19th November 2019

Interviews to be held 3rd December in Liverpool.

Introduction

Key working relationships

The post holder will work closely in collaboration with the Bishop of Warrington, the Director of Vocations (DoV), Vocations Officer (VO) and colleagues in the Lifelong Learning department. They will also work with colleagues from the Central Services team who provide administrative support for the vocations work. The post holder needs to be fully aware of national thinking and best practice around vocational issues.

Main Responsibilities

The post holder will have lead responsibility for the following areas of work, working with DoV and VO and with support from Central Services lead person:-

• LifeCall Archdeaconry programme

Working with Dov and VO to co-ordinate, publicise and implement the new pattern of archdeaconry “vocations fairs” under the LifeCall brand, including:-

• Co-ordinating LifeCall annual programme, ensuring integration with wider diocesan events and programmes
• Organising venues, speakers, seminars, stallholders, vocations team, etc.
• Overseeing administration for LifeCall events, including Eventbrite and publicity liaison with Communications Team.
• Acting as focal point for on-the-day coordination.
• Following up contacts after events.

• Lay minister discernment processes

To work with colleagues on reviewing and implementing discernment processes for Reader and Local Missional Leader (LML) ministries. This will include vocational conversations with people exploring their calling.

• Directions course

To work with the VO on launching a second Directions course and acting as main venue and course host for that course, including pastoral oversight of course members and group leaders, facilitating small groups and some up-front input. To carry out overall work on Directions, including

• Statistics on Directions participants, spread across the Diocese, etc.
• Collation & Evaluation of feedback, including monitoring of responses from specific work done during the course.

Other areas of work

To work with colleagues on scoping and resourcing the following potential new initiatives:-

• Vocational Coaching co-ordinator

To work with colleagues to develop, oversee and monitor a network of vocational coaches for open-ended coaching conversations on their calling.

• Vocations publicity and website

To work with colleagues to develop and review the range of online and print publicity and information for the LifeCall vocations initiative.

• Resourcing discipleship and lay ministry

To work with colleagues on provision of a range of learning opportunities linked to the Bishop’s Rule of Life and to the Releasing Ministry initiative around preaching and worship-leading. To facilitate networks for specific areas of lay ministry.

• Intern scheme work

To work with DoV and the Young Vocations Champion on the vocational aspects of internship/volunteering schemes for young people, including exploring developing/expanding a Church of England Ministry Experience Scheme (CEMES) for young people exploring their calling. To link with other internship/volunteering opportunities across the diocese and region.

Other tasks include

• Making presentations as requested by parishes and deanery synods to promote vocations and on behalf of specific diocesan initiatives and processes.
• Being familiar with national and other diocesan vocational initiatives, advising on best practice and helping develop vocational strategy of the diocese of Liverpool.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the role and level of responsibility that may from time to time be required.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Requirements

Public speaking within a Christian context
Capacity to develop appropriate resources to promote vocations
Proven administration skills
Working experience in organising conferences and meetings
Experience of structured Christian learning 
Understanding of vocation within a Christian context
Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels
Ability to handle a range of diverse tasks and prioritise according to demands
Methodical and thorough
Ability to use initiative to work in a proactive manner
Excellent organisation skills with an ability to work to deadlines
Operational knowledge of Microsoft Office packages
Resilient with an ability to remain calm under pressure
Flexible approach with an ability to balance the demands of the role
A great team player who is respectful of colleagues and can recognise the wider needs of the organisation
Ability to deal with a wide range of people, to quickly build rapport and act with patience, sensitivity and tact
Approachable and dependable
Ability to handle personal and sensitive information in the strictest of confidence
Ability to use own initiative
A great team player who is respectful of colleagues and capable of recognising the wider needs of the organisation
Professional with a flexible work approach
Able to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends
Willingness to travel within the Diocese of Liverpool and further afield when required and necessary
To have an understanding of, and be in sympathy with, the Church of England

Desirable requirements

Relevant theological/ministerial qualifications 
Experience of delivering training/learning within a Christian context
Working with volunteers, particularly in a Christian context
Experience of structured discernment processes within the Church of England or other Christian denominations
Experience of developing and delivering learning resources
Experience of facilitating meetings
Experience of affirming and equipping people in their calling and ministry
Experience developing others’ skills and self-confidence
Familiarity with and use of social media and other relevant technologies
Knowledge of the Church of England structures

About us

For many years we have been working to achieve growth in our diocese. We have used different ways to express this but the aim and direction of travel has remained the same. When Bishop Paul was installed he adopted our growth agenda refreshing it by saying ‘we are asking God for a bigger church so we can make a bigger difference; more people knowing Jesus more justice in the world’ this is how we express our mission. This makes us an exciting, challenging and rewarding place to be. We are innovative, seeking new ways to further God’s mission while respecting cherished traditions. We value our priests and all those working to build a bigger church making a bigger difference offering a high level of accountability with a low level of control. We are committed to equal opportunities and look forward to welcome all to our diocese