Departmental Administrator Location Bowen House Terms Part-time (22.5 hours per week; ideally 4.5 hours each day) The Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Archdiocese of Southwark is responsible for supporting parishes in the work of adult formation, the training of catechists and helping to spread the good news of Jesus Christ (evangelisation) across South London and the county of Kent. We are now looking for a competent, faithful and motivated administrator to join the diocesan team to work with missionary parishes in the formation of missionary disciples.

Departmental Administrator
Archdiocese of Southwark

Location Bowen House
Terms Part-time (22.5 hours per week; ideally 4.5 hours each day)

The Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis of the Archdiocese of Southwark is responsible for supporting parishes in the work of adult formation, the training of catechists and helping to spread the good news of Jesus Christ (evangelisation) across South London and the county of Kent. We are now looking for a competent, faithful and motivated administrator to join the diocesan team to work with missionary parishes in the formation of missionary disciples.

The person appointed to this post will be a member of the diocesan department for evangelisation and catechesis, accountable to the Director, and committed to working collaboratively with colleagues and contributing to the unity of the team. He/she will be expected to have regard to the Catholic character of the role, and not do anything in any way detrimental or prejudicial to its interests or to the Catholic Church.
Key Functions (General)
The Departmental Administrator will report to the Director of the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis and will be required to participate in decision making; add expertise and knowledge; and contribute to initiatives organised by or involving the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis. He/She will be attentive to the importance of safeguarding and financial accountability, and be able to work alone or collaboratively.
Key Functions
The Departmental Administrator will have specific responsibility for:

• Performing the financial functions of the Agency, as required, including raising and satisfying invoices, bank reconciliation, supporting the Director with budget development and tracking. The archdiocese uses the AiQ system; training will be provided.
• Assisting with the planning, administration and delivery of Agency events, including the use of ChurchSuite software, again, training will be provided;
• Providing hospitality to event attendees and guests of the Agency;
• Coordinating Agency parish visits, in correspondence with the advisory team;
• Working with the Local Leadership Coordinator and diocesan Advisors to build a repository of resources (physical and digital) which might be recommended to parishes via the inspire knowledge base website;
• Helping to maintain the Agency website and the Agency electronic newsletter;
• Acting as the initial point of contact for parishes and other institutions with the Agency;
• Administrative tasks such as printing, and postage of physical resources such as books.

Other Functions
Some Definite Service is the diocesan-wide approach for parish growth in Evangelisation, Catechesis, and Formation supported through local people, plans, and prayer. The Department Administrator will:
• Support the whole Agency Team with the development and promotion of Some Definite Service as the diocesan-wide approach;
• Help to record parish planning activity regarding the areas of Evangelisation, Catechesis and adult Formation;
• Periodically contact parishes and deaneries regarding the support they require to produce and carry out their plans (relating to other departments where necessary);
• Help to perpetuate a review cycle for parish plans;

• Develop relationships with the various departments in the diocesan curia to support the work of the Agency and the mission of the diocese;
• Assist with social media;
• Executing other administrative duties as directed by the Director.

The Departmental Administrator will be expected to attend meetings, relevant training days/ courses and enter into the prayer life of the Agency; be willing to learn how to use new software and to keep up to date with statutory requirements, best practice, and diocesan initiatives.
Person specification
It is essential that the candidate have strong skills in administration, communication and presentation, informed by a sense of responsibility as a person working in a professional capacity for the Church.
Owing to some elements of the role, the candidate will benefit from an informed understanding of Church teaching; some formation can be provided through the Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis, including full (or part) subsidised participation in Agency courses.
The successful candidate will be able to develop good relations with colleagues, clergy, and laity, demonstrating good judgement, discretion, discernment, sensitivity, good humour, excellent interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn. An openness to new developments and ways of working, initiative and an ability to manage time effectively is necessary for this flexible role.
Given the nature of the role, it is desirable that the applicant be a practising Catholic or, at least, sympathetic with the mission of the Catholic Church. Additionally, they must be available for some flexible working hours, including occasional Saturdays; have up-to-date IT skills, including Microsoft O¬ffice; some training will be provided. The diocese is geographically dispersed in terms of parish locations; therefore, despite the job being predominantly desk-based, it is desirable for the candidate to be a car owner/driver with a clean licence should the need for travel be required.
The Archdiocese is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment. The successful candidate must be willing to comply with diocesan safeguarding procedures.
Organisation
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Southwark covers the London boroughs south of the Thames, the County of Kent and the Medway Unitary Authority. It is currently led by Archbishop John Wilson who was installed at Saint George's Cathedral on 25 July 2019. You are encouraged to find out more about the work of the Agency at aec.rcaos.org.uk and about the diocese at rcaos.org.uk
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should email their CV along with a covering letter regarding their suitability for the post to the HR Department. Email: hr@rcaos.org.uk. If you would like an informal chat, please contact the Director, Mark Nash, by email marknash@rcaos.org.uk