THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title of Post: Children’s Development Worker

Council:Mission and Discipleship (MDC)

Responsible to:Congregational Learning Team Leader

Date: May2016

Main Purpose of post:To supportandstimulatethe Church to develop and nurture learning, mission and discipleship of children. This will be achieved through the management of projects developing online provision, publications and events.

Main duties:

  • Develop, manage and deliver a variety of support and development provision (online, publications and events) for volunteers and/or paid workers who work with childrenin the local church.
  • Develop, manage and deliver a variety of provision (online, publications and events) for childrenin the local church.
  • Maintain an awareness of current and potential audiences, in order to enable Churches to ensure that they are inclusive, welcoming and supportive of varying needs.
  • In managing the various projects developing online provision, publications and events it will be necessary to identify, recruitand co-ordinatepeople to deliver the required outcomes.
  • Make connections with staff and volunteers in congregations and presbyteries to inspire them for effective ministry with children, and promoting existing and new resources.
  • Work collaboratively with others in the Council in the delivery of the above duties and liaise with other councils, committees and departments to enrich what we develop and ensure awareness of all learning and development provision.
  • Work with other agencies and ecumenical partners on common areas of interest to ensure that work is collaborative, efficient and in tune with current best practice.
  • Support and direct the work of others, where required, to ensure that objectives and projects are delivered.
  • Carry out any other reasonable duties which may be assigned by the Congregational Learning Team Leader.

Person Specification: Children’s Development Worker

Essential / Desirable
Skills, abilities and knowledge
An understanding of and alignment to the vision for mission and discipleship as a priority for the Churchand particularly with regards to ministry with children.
A clear understanding of the variety of traditional, contemporary and emerging forms of churchand the work with children thereof.
Experience of developing and delivering training and development resources for children’s ministry.
Knowledge and understanding of the congregational life of the Church of Scotland.
Ability to use a range of communication tools to deliver messages on complex issues to significantly different audiences.
Willing and able to understand differing theological beliefs and perspectives.
Demonstrable ability to network and to motivate others to achieve desired outcomes.
Ability to problem solve creatively, plan workload,work to deadlines and use initiative to complete exacting tasks.
Good experience of using a variety of information technology and social media for organisational purposes.
Ability to travel throughout Scotland involving working in evenings and on weekends.
Full driving licence.
Awareness of a range of service user needs. / √
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Personal Qualities
Active church connection and Christian commitment.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Willingness to work collaboratively within the MDC team and with external agencies/bodies & ecumenical partners.
Highly motivated and able to prioritise workload in order to meet targets.
Effective active listening skills. / √
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Education
At least SCQF Level 9Qualification ina relevant discipline e.g. Youth Work, Children’s Work,Theology, Educationor similar. / √
Experience of working within a project environment and with knowledge of project management principles, e.g. PRINCE2. / √

Vacancy: Children’s Development Worker, Mission Discipleship Council (Ref:30/16)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • The salary scale for this post is £32,036 - £35,698 per annum.
  • The hours for the post are 35 hours per week, over seven days and involving evening and weekend work. However, the post holder will be expected to work such hours as are required for the efficient and conscientious discharge of his/her duties and responsibilities. A system of flexi time applies to this post.
  • The post is a national one and, therefore, requires travel throughout Scotland.
  • As a designated business car user position a capital payment of £80 per month plus appropriate mileage costs will be paid towards the provision of a car for business travel (Personal contract Hire Schemes are available to employees).
  • The post is based in Edinburgh at the Church Offices in 121 George Street.
  • There are 26 days annual paid leave in each full holiday year which runs from 1 April to 31 March. Entitlement is based on full weeks worked. This provision increases to 31 days after 5 years service. There are also 9 statutory holidays – 3 of which are floating days.
  • The successful applicant will have the opportunity to join a pension scheme.
  • In order to comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, the successful candidate will be asked to provide document(s) confirming their eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
  • An employment medical check will be undertaken as part of our recruitment process.

Completed applications should be returned, in an envelope marked Private and Confidential, to the HR Department, Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN or e-mailed to by 12pm on Tuesday, 31 May 2016 with interviews anticipated to take place on Friday, 17 June 2016.

Ref: 30/16Revised: May 2016