Chaplain & Welfare Officer
Applications are invited for the post of Chaplain & Welfare Officer, with effect from 1 October 2014 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Balliol Collegeis the oldest in Oxford in continuous existence on its original site, and has just celebrated its 750th Anniversary. It became prominent in the 19th century under the Mastership of Benjamin Jowett, when it became a leader in competitive admissions for both Fellows and students, and adopted an open policy on both nationality and faith. This open, international and relatively informal ethos still informs the College today. It has some 70 Fellows, and a student population of about 700, divided nearly equally between undergraduates and post-graduates.
The post of Chaplain and Welfare Officer is the principal Officer in the College with the responsibility for the pastoral support of individuals in the community, students primarily, but also Fellows, lecturers and staff.
As Chaplain he or she oversees the Chapel programme. The principal weekly service is Evensong on Sunday during term. Guest preachers from a wide range of faith backgrounds are invited to preach. There is also a service of Intercessory Prayer on Tuesday evenings during term, and Bible study in the Chaplain’s room on Fridays. It has been the Chaplain’s practice to support the meetings of other faith groups on a regular basis. The Chaplain oversees the work of the two Organ Scholars and the Choir. He or she would hold regular open and informal meetings of students at which guests would speak on a wide range of topics. The Chaplain also chairs the Chapel and Patronage Committee (with responsibility for over 20 parishes), the student Welfare Committee, the Student Finance Committee as Financial Aid Officer, and is a member of the Academic Progress Committee which considers individual student cases.
As Welfare Officer he or she will work very closely with a team dedicated to pastoral and health support, including the Dean and Junior Deans, the Praefectus (who heads the College’s Graduate Centre), the Senior Tutor, the Student Officers and Peer Supporters, the College Nurse, the medical practice with which the College is associated, and other professional counselling help, not least the University’s Counselling Service.
There are no fixed hours for this post, and the incumbent would be expected, particularly during term, to be available for urgent casesout of normal working hours which, while not frequent, are not uncommon.
The Chaplain and Welfare Officer will report directly to the Master and, as required, to the College’s Governing Body. The post has access to dedicated experienced secretarial support. Salary will be on the academic-related scale and related to experience, and the post will be held in the first instance for three years. It will carry a College Fellowship (entitling the holder to free lunches and other SCR Common Table rights), which brings with it the responsibilities of a Trustee of the College. Renewal will be subject to Governing Body decision. Notice on either side will be three months. Accommodation will be available in College, or alternatively a housing allowance will be provided. The post is pensionable on the USS scheme for academic-related staff, and membership of BUPA through the College is available, though this is a taxable benefit.
Selection Criteria:
Ordained in the Church of England or in one of the churches in communion with the Church of England.
A first degree – higher degrees are not a requirement, but it is recognized that those interested in applying may have other academic qualifications which would be helpful to the College.
It is essential to have experience in pastoral work, and desirable that candidates have some formal qualification in counselling, or are willing to undertake such.
Candidates should have the ability to work in and embrace the values of a liberal academic institution.
Candidates should have the ability to support different Christian denominations, those of other faiths, and of no faith.
They should have excellent communication skills.
Possible experience in the University or other charitable sector would be an advantage.
Candidates should have the ability to work in situations requiring both confidentiality and consultation with others.
Satisfactory criminal records enhanced disclosure (or the ability to receive such) is a requirement.
Candidates must have proof of their entitlement to the right to work in the UK.
Appointment Procedure:
The College hopes to complete its appointment process in the second half of July. Members of the appointment panel are the Master, Sir Drummond Bone, Professor Dermot O’Hare (Vice-Master Academic), Professor Frances Kirwan, Dr Martin Conway, Dr Nicola Trott (Senior Tutor), Dr Martin Burton, Ms Elsa Bell (Director of Student Welfare and Support Services for the University), and the Revd Dr Peter Groves (parish priest of St Mary Magdalen, Oxford).
Selected candidates will be invited to interview on a date to be confirmed, likely to be in week beginning 21 July. Those selected for final consideration will also be asked to attend a meeting or meetings with Fellows of the College.
The closing date for applications, to Catherine Willbery, Secretary to the Chaplain, at or Balliol College, Oxford OX1 3BJ, is noon on Thursday 12 June 2014. Applicants are asked to ensure that two references have been submitted to the same address by the same date.
Please enclose with your application:
a full CV, including the names and contact details (email preferred) of the referees;
a covering note of not more than two pages summarising your proven ability related to the job description and selection criteria;
a completed equal opportunity monitoring form (available online).