Position Description For

Church Mission Society

Job description

Post:Staff Writer

Responsible to:Publications Manager

Group:Communications Team

Grade:E (Part-time 21 hours ideally over 3 days)

Introduction

As a community of people in mission, we obey the call of God to proclaim the Gospel in all places and to draw all peoples into fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

The mission of CMS is summed up as Sharing Jesus, Changing Lives achieved through three aims: making disciples, resourcing leaders, and transforming communities.’

Making Disciples, eg development of members’ spirituality shaped by seven Promises (below); courses on the Bible, evangelism, public discipleship, cross-cultural encounter

Resourcing Leaders, eg the training of members who will lead the Community itself, or those who will pioneer local or transcultural mission resulting in community transformation

Transforming Communities, eg the transformation of local churches into mission-shaped communities, and the transformation of the wider society in diverse cultural contexts

The work of making disciples and resourcing leaders is coordinated by the Crowther Centre for Mission Education; the work of transforming communities is coordinated through the Community and Contextual Mission and Transcultural and Reciprocal Mission teams.

So CMS works with local Christian communities around the world in evangelistic mission, through an interchange of people and resources, that transforms individuals and communities. Our main areas of work are evangelism, leadership development and theological training, church growth, community development, health care, education, pastoral work and development.

Context

The primary purpose of the position is to write crisp, clearcopy to serve the Society’s efforts to raise mission awareness and financial support amongst individuals and churches. In addition, that post holder will contribute as a member of the Communications Team of CMS in the preparation of internal and external publications, website resources and media initiatives.

Purpose of the Job

The post holder will work as a member of the Communications Team sourcing and writing up stories, compiling and editing items for prayer and other assignments for print and web as needed, including fundraising, marketing and church presentation materials. All work will be subject to the usual copy review and sub editing systems that operate within the Communications Team.

Key Relationships:

Within the Communications team, the post holder’s primary points of contact will be the publications manager, who reports to the Director of Fundraising and Marketing. The Communications Team works with all regions and departments of CMS, producing online, multi-media and print materials as needed.

Objectives of the Position:

To expand the Communications Team’s capacity to produce high-quality print publications and online resources.

To provide much-needed support for the publications manager, web editor and graphic designer within the Communications Team.

Key Responsibilities

• To write and edit marketing materials such as promotional leaflets and packs, advertisements, flyers, advertorials, web shop product descriptions and feature stories for outside publications such as Inspire magazine, as directed by the publications manager.
• To write and edit stories for the bi-monthly mailing, Mission Update, and the bi-monthly prayer booklet PrayerLines, as well as regional variations of these publications, i.e. Mid-Africa Prayerlines. The part time staff writer may also contribute to CMS magazines such as Yes and Share.
• To write other personal donor communications (i.e. – welcome letters, thank you letters and increased giving letters)
• To write or edit newsletters and articles for journals as and when they are needed to further promote the mission work of CMS.
• To write sermons, seminars on Christian mission and Bible study material for CMS presentations, preachers and speakers in order to ensure consistency of message content and quality.
• To write and plan displays including stands for events which market both CMS sales materials and CMS itself.
• To liaise with other parts of the CMS community for the purposes of sourcing relevant stories, presentations and messages.
• To undertake such other communications tasks that may be requested by from time to time.
• To proofread materials as needed.

Person Specification

Staff Writer

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications / Graduate or equivalent qualifications/ experience/ training. / Degree in journalism or mass media
Experience / At least two years proven experience of effective writing and editing for charity publications. / Experience working for a mission organisation or involvement in mission work.
Experience in journalism
Skills/Abilities / Good, clear writing style.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Familiarity with Internet.
Ability to communicate and make professional relationships with warmth and skill.
Ability to relate to people of a wide range of cultures.
Ability to edit effectively.
Good computer literacy.
Able to work accurately, under pressure and to deadlines. / Creative problem-solving skills.
Ability to take effective photos
Ability to do basic graphic design tasks
Database experience
Experience in graphic design or ability to use graphic design software
Knowledge/
Understanding / Good knowledge of the worldwide Church and mission.
Awareness of current international issues. / Knowledge of Anglican Church and structures.
Knowledge of CMS.
Understanding of key political, social and economic issues.
Disposition / Positive outgoing personality.
Self-motivated and energetic.
Imaginative and enthusiastic.
Team player, and also able to work on own initiative.
Culturally sensitive.
Others / Committed to the ethos of CMS.
Willing and able to travel in Britain and overseas. / Full driving licence.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Staff Writer (part time)

1. This part time (21 hours per week)appointment is subject to satisfactory references, a medical report and a probationary period of six months during which time the employment may be terminated by either side with one weeks notice.

1. Salary: The post is within Grade E of the CMS salary scale, £24,390 to £25,380 per annum, (this salary includes £2,820 Cost of Living Allowance), which will be adjusted pro rata. Salaries are reviewed annually at the beginning of February.

1. Pension and Life Assurance Scheme: There is a pension scheme, which employees may join if they choose to do so. Staff who are eligible for pension rights under the Clergy Pensions Measures administered by the Church of England Pensions Board continue to qualify for those rights.

1. Work Base: This is an Oxford-based post and this will be your centre for the purpose of claiming travelling expenses if appropriate.

1. Expenses: Expenses incurred in connection with work in accordance with the regulations in force will be paid.

1. Annual Leave Entitlement: The leave entitlement is 28 days per calendar year (pro rata) of which 3 days are to be taken between Christmas and New Year, as well as the appropriate proportion of statutory bank holidays.

1. Notice: one months’ notice in writing is required for the termination of the appointment by either party.

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