Assistant Case Officer

Summary

WE ARE LOOKING FOR ASSISTANT CASE OFFICER TO WORK WITHIN OUR MISSION AND PASTORAL SERVICES TEAM

About the Department/Role

The Church Commissioners have the governance and management responsibility for the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011, which provides a regulatory framework which enables the Church to support the provision of local worship, mission and ministry, and to adapt that provision as circumstances change over time. The Measures provides a decision-making process for changes relating to pastoral change, ministry provision change and church building change. The Commissioners also deal with processes under the Church Property Measure 2018 and the Church Commissioners' Chancel Repair Liability Measure.

What you'll be doing

The purpose of the role is to oversee and manage the decision making processes and provide advice under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 (MPM), the Church Property Measure 2018 (CPM), and related legislation (including the Patronage (Benefices) Measure 1986 and the Church Representation Rules, and responsibilities relating to chancel repair liability (CRL). A major part of the team's role is to support the transition from the existing MPM, to a new Measure, and the related transition programme which will be rolled out to dioceses and parishes over between 2024 to 2027.

The Assistant CO post will work with mainly with the M&PS case officers to decision making and case work under the requirements of the legislation set out above. They will also work closely with the team managers to plan and manage the casework load and support the decision making processes of the Mission, Pastoral and Church Property Committee.

Main Responsibilities

• Conduct research into a range of technical and legal matters, including verifying the legal names of parishes and benefices, patronage details, and responding to related queries.

• Draft and publish Mission and Pastoral Measure (MPM) schemes for consultation, ensuring accuracy and clarity throughout the process.

• Support Case Officers in presenting MPM or Church Property Measure (CPM) decisions to the Mission, Pastoral and Church Property Committee, and assist with any subsequent appeals.

• Assist the M&PS Operations Manager in planning committee visits, public hearings, and other operational tasks associated with committee meetings.

• Contribute to the planning and monitoring of casework and performance reporting, working closely with the M&PS Operations Manager.

• Coordinate and manage internal and external meeting processes related to the above functions, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.

• Provide administrative support for the implementation of the new Mission and Pastoral Measure and the Measure concerning Chancel Repair Liability.

• Offer support in record management and data governance, including preparing briefings and information for performance and risk management purposes using dedicated data systems.

• Help the M&PS Operations Manager with planning and coordinating team activities such as monthly meetings, away days, and special events.

• Assist with communications activities, including the distribution of regular e-newsletters to diocesan teams.

• Support the coordination and promotion of the diocesan training programme.

• Assist with financial processes related to departmental expenditure, ensuring compliance and accuracy.

• Contribute to audit and risk management processes, maintaining high standards of accountability.

• Provide briefings and information to support internal NCI processes, including responses to General Synod or Parliamentary questions, and preparing materials for the Board of Governors and senior officers.

• Deliver general administrative support to the M&PS team, including handling post and printing tasks.

• Undertake any required specialist or generalist training to support the role effectively.

All responsibilities are to be carried out in accordance with the Mission and Pastoral Measure Code of Recommended Practice.

About You The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to recruiting disabled people. We offer interviews to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

Key role requirements

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to organise and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines efficiently.
• Able to demonstrate initiative and a forward-thinking approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Comfortable navigating complex processes with a meticulous eye for accuracy and detail and consistency.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to manage relationships across a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent Communication skills, being clear and confident in both written and verbal communication.
• Experienced in drafting agendas, preparing papers, and recording accurate minutes.
• Strong project management skills demonstrating capability of planning, coordinating meetings, and managing timelines to deliver successful outcomes.
• Confident in using specialist software, conducting internet-based research, publishing content online, and utilising Microsoft Office applications effectively.
• Valid Drivers Licence

Desirable skills

• Experience managing complex administration legal systems.
• Experience with property and church law.
• Knowledge and experience of working with financial systems and processes.
• An understanding of the workings of the Mission and Pastoral Measures.

Please refer to the Job Description for more information about the role and person specification. What we offer Your Salary

• A salary of £40,572, plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of your salary.

Your Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus eight bank holidays and three additional days (pro-rated if working part-time).
• We welcome all flexible working arrangement requests. This is looked at in a case-by-case scenario and if this fits within the department's needs. We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
• We offer many services and initiatives under our Family Friendly Programme, some of these include enhanced Maternity Leave initiative, Adoption leave, Paternity Leave, & Shared Parental Leave. Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships.
• Automatic enrolment and access to Medicash (one of the UK's leading health cash plan providers), providing you with many services including reimbursements of routine dental treatment, optical, specialist consultations, and therapy treatments. Unlimited access to virtual GP & Private prescription service and health & Stress related helplines.
• Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to the Department of Education Restaurant and Westminster Abbey with a plus-one guest.
• Apply for eligibility for an Eyecare voucher.
• Opportunity to join the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies.