People (Human Resources) Assistant Adviser

Overview

The Diocese of Exeter is seeking a People (HR) Assistant Adviser to work with the Director of People and Safeguarding to help us develop and execute the diocesan People plans.

This is a newly created role which will support the Director of People (HR) and Safeguarding with daily People (HR) duties. Specifically it will:

• Act as a technical adviser to ecclesiastical office holders, parishes, benefices and Mission Communities offering professional and accurate guidance and direction at all levels of the diocese on People, common tenure, employee relations and employee engagement operationally.
• Formally and informally advise and support on issues of competence, discipline, grievance, absence and wellbeing.
• Provide support and technical advice to deaneries, parishes, mission communities and chaplaincies on People issues relating to day to day People issues, through the application of policy and best practice.
• In conjunction with the Director of People and Safeguarding work with the Ministry and Ministry Team to promote the wellbeing of the clergy.

This exciting new opportunity will incorporate Human Resources skills and knowledge alongside the strong working relationships of ecclesiastical office holders and EDBF employees across the Diocese of Exeter. This position will require travel throughout the county of Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay) and independent working. 

The Diocese of Exeter matches almost exactly the boundaries of the county of Devon, including Torbay and Plymouth.  We are a family of Christians, worshipping God in many different settings and groups. We are led by the Bishop of Exeter, and governed by Diocesan Synod which is made up of representatives from across the Diocese.

Introduction

The People Adviser role requires a high degree of proficiency across the domains of:

• Human Resources expertise, skills and knowledge.
• Project management expertise, skills and knowledge.
• Building strong relationships with ecclesiastical office holders, parishes, benefices, Mission Communities, senior managers and employees across the Diocese of Exeter.
• Supporting case work including grievance.
• Implementation of policies and organisational processes.
• Travel and working independently.

The Assistant Adviser will be required to apply for a regular disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service in connection with this role.

Some travel may be involved due to the geographical location of colleagues.
 

The job reports to Director – People and Safeguarding and will work closely with:

• Mission and Ministry Team
• Ecclesiastical Office Holders and to be the single point of contact for all Counselling and Wellbeing queries and for the provision of data as and when required
• Safeguarding Administrator
• Finance Team
• People Assistant
• Personnel at Church House

Third party training, wellbeing and pastoral care specialists and resourcing suppliers.

Main Responsibilities

In conjunction with the Director of People and Safeguarding the main responsibilities will include:

• Formally and informally advise and support on issues of competence, discipline, grievance, absence and wellbeing.
• Support DP&S with and implement disciplinary matters and deal with grievance and performance issues.
• Provide support and technical advice to deaneries, parishes, mission communities and chaplaincies on People issues relating to day to day People issues, through the application of policy and best practice.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with ecclesiastical office holders, parishes, benefices and Mission Communities in order to ensure that the People Team adds value to the organisation and helps it to meet its strategic objectives.
• To understand how the People team supports the wider objectives of the Diocese of Exeter.
• To support the Director – People and Safeguarding.
• In conjunction with the Director of People and Safeguarding work with the Ministry and Ministry Team to promote the wellbeing of the clergy including:
  • promoting the importance of wellbeing for and amongst clergy and employees. 
  • providing support, advice and consultation for clergy and their families on issues arising from the dynamics of parish life, particularly pastoral matters, organisational relationships, and situations of conflict - by phone, e-mail, correspondence, visits or meetings.
  • continuing the evolution of Reflective Practice and pastoral/ development support  groups for clergy.
  • contributing to the continuing Ministerial Development Review programme as appropriate.
  • meeting termly with the Mission and Ministry team for future planning, for review and to feedback current presenting issues to enhance organisational learning across the Diocese.
  • Being the main point of contact for Clergy Spouse and Partners Panel.
  • Researching and maintaining grants for use within the wellbeing space e.g. St Luke’s for Reflective Practice Groups. 
  • Accurately maintaining coaching, Reflective Practice Group and wellbeing databases.

• In conjunction with the Director – People and Safeguarding and Mission and Ministry:

  • Shape the culture of the Diocese of Exeter by up-skilling and coaching managers on ‘People’ issues.

  • Coach individuals on both a 1:1 basis and in group training sessions to practically implement People policies in order to manage absence, discipline, capability and grievance issues.

• Use the Clergy Data System to produce Monthly/Quarterly Operational data.
• Ensure relevant People information is made available in a timely way for the Directors of – People and Safeguarding and other key personnel.
• Ensure all Diocesan Safeguarding Policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Role model inclusive behaviours in day to day working practices.
• Work in accordance with diocesan policies of equal opportunity.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate that they hold the following specifications: 

• Degree level or equivalent.
• Chartered Member of the CIPD.
• Recent People (HR) advisory experience in an employee focused role or function.
• Experience of collaborating with individuals in a professional environment such as financial or legal services or a large charity/public sector organisation.
• Strong working knowledge of employment law issues and the ability to apply these to a variety of situations using a pragmatic and common sense approach.
• Strong experience and understanding of human resource policies and practices within the Church of England legislative provisions.
• Confident use of technology and HR systems.
• Good understanding of the Church of England, its parochial system and the wider organisation of the diocese.
• Committed to and confident in the aims and ethos of the Diocese of Exeter and of the mission and ministry of the Church of England.
• Ability to travel and work flexibly across the Diocese and within the Church of England as required.

Please see the attached job description for further information relating to this position and further candidate criteria. 

About us

The Diocese of Exeter matches almost exactly the boundaries of the county of Devon, including Torbay and Plymouth.  We are a family of Christians, worshipping God in many different settings and groups. We are led by the Bishop of Exeter, and governed by Diocesan Synod which is made up of representatives from across the Diocese.

The central office is the Old Deanery, Exeter, where there is a team of around 50 Diocesan staff whose work is arranged to focus on a number of the goals of the Diocesan vision and strategy, ‘Grow in Prayer, Make new Disciples and Serve the People of Devon with Joy’. These staff work in the following teams: Education, Mission & Ministry, Church & Society, Communications, Property & Church Buildings, Finance, Safeguarding, Vocations, Synod Office, Archdeacons Secretaries, Counselling & Pastoral Care Service and our exciting new Growing the Rural Church Project.

To arrange an informal discussion about this role please contact us by email recruitment@exeter.anglican.org by phone: 01392 294959 or by post:
The Old Deanery
The Cloisters
Exeter
EX1 1HS

Please Note:

Closing date: Tuesday 17th March 2020

Shortlisting date: Friday 20th March 2020

Interviews:    Tuesday 24th March 2020

If you would like to find out more about the Diocese of Exeter please visit our website: http://exeter.anglican.org/

For more information on the DBS Code of Practice please visit the Gov.co.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dbs-code-of-practice