Personal Assistant

Job Purpose

We are looking for an experienced and skilled administrator to come and join St John’s Leyland and Leyland Deanery on a flexible, part-time basis to support our ministry. The purpose of the role is to provide support in the day-to-day administrative and missional work of the Area Dean / Vicar of St John’s Church, Leyland.

The role requires a person who is approachable, well organised, has good inter-personal and communication skills and is self-motivated. Computer skills are essential. This position requires a good degree of professionalism, pastoral sensitivity and confidentiality.

As a faith-based organization and place of Christian worship, our beliefs are foundational to everything we do. The post-holder will be expected to be sympathetic to these beliefs and work actively to support our ministry and vision.

The Diocese of Blackburn promotes the following Vision:

St John's Church, Leyland Lane, Leyland, PR25 1XB www.stjohnsleyland.co.uk

‘Healthy Communities Transforming Communities’ through: Being Disciples of Jesus Christ; Being Witnesses to Jesus Christ; Growing leaders for Jesus Christ; Inspiring children and young people.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Provide administrative and secretarial support to the Vicar/Area Dean.
• Manage the Vicar/Area Dean’s diary and e-mail inbox. Action e-mails and ensure action points from minutes are diarised as appropriate.
• Acting as a point of contact for enquiries whether by phone, email etc.; ensuring they are dealt with politely and professionally and followed up by appropriate action.
• Arrange appointments and home visits for the Vicar/Area Dean and set up meetings of committees and groups that the Vicar/Area Dean leads on.
• Ensure that documents for meetings are flagged up in advance and that paperwork (or electronic equivalent) pertaining to the day is available.
• Ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times. The role should have an understanding of the confidential nature of the work the Vicar/Area Dean is involved in and the need for discretion. This includes managing both online and paper documents in an appropriate way and to have a working knowledge of GDPR compliance and practice.
• Help maintain Vicar/Area Dean’s expenses records.
• Ensure a safe and clean working environment within the office.
• Attend and actively input into Vicar/Area Dean meetings as requested.
• Order supplies and equipment for any Vicar/Area Dean events and office.
• Assist with the accurate production and distribution of documents such as Weekly News Sheets, Service plans and PowerPoint presentations as required.
• Assist with event planning and practical aspects e.g., booking venues, speakers, catering etc.
• To liaise closely with the members of Leyland Deanery, and field enquiries that arise from members of the churches, the general public and other interested parties (e.g. funeral directors).
• Liaise with members of Chapter, Deanery Synod, Incumbents and Church Wardens to set up meetings when required.
• Assist the Vicar/Area Dean and Communications group to develop, improve and upload content onto St John’s Church, Leyland social media sites (Facebook, A Church Near You) and website as required.
• Help publicise events organised by Deanery churches or Blackburn Diocese within the Deanery as appropriate.

St John's Church, Leyland Lane, Leyland, PR25 1XB www.stjohnsleyland.co.uk

Person Specification

Training and Qualifications How tested

A good level of Literacy skills E Application Form

necessary to produce

newsletters, minutes, letters,

emails etc.

Maths to GCSE Grade ‘C’ or E Application Form

above / equivalent

Business Administration e.g. D Application Form / Interview

NVQ, proven experience

Experience

Working within an E Application Form

administrative role

Experience of organising D Application Form

meetings and preparing all

appropriate paperwork

Experience of developing D Application Form

electronic data systems

Church worship and missional D Application Form / Interview

planning experience

Knowledge

Knowledge of GDPR E Application Form / Interview

Knowledge of Safeguarding E Application Form / Interview

Knowledge of church worship / D Application Form / Interview

ministry

Knowledge of the Church of D Application Form / Interview

England (worship, ministry, and

structures)

Skills and competencies

St John's Church, Leyland Lane, Leyland, PR25 1XB www.stjohnsleyland.co.uk

Excellent inter-personal and E Application Form / References

communication skills (written / Interview

and oral)

Strong attention to detail E Application Form / References

/ Interview

Ability to work autonomously E Application Form / References

and manage workload / Interview

Excellent time management E Application Form / References

skills / Interview

Confident IT skills E Application Form / References

/ Interview

Ability to work flexibly E Application Form / References /

Interview

A good level of IT and keyboard E Application Form / Interview

skills, including experience of

Microsoft Word, Excel and

PowerPoint

Personal Attributes

Sensitive listener with E References / Interview

experience of dealing with

matters of confidentiality,

sensitivity and pastoral

compassion

Highly motivated E Interview

Enjoy learning and new D Interview

experiences

Terms and Conditions

This is a fixed term role offered initially until 2030 and is subject to external funding, therefore no extension beyond this time can be guaranteed at this stage. This role is also subject to the current Area Dean being in post. If the current Area Dean terminates the role then the post holder will be consulted but it could result in the contract being terminated.

St John's Church, Leyland Lane, Leyland, PR25 1XB www.stjohnsleyland.co.uk

The detailed terms and conditions will be contained in the Contract of

Employment.

EMPLOYER: The [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk].

SALARY: £12.60/hour paid monthly.

A DBF phone and laptop will be provided.

HOURS: This is a part-time role based on a 14-hour working week, but the post holder may be required to work additional hours as to meet the reasonable requirements of the role. The post holder will be entitled to time off in lieu for attending meetings outside normal office hours which may include evenings and weekends.

LOCATION: The post holder will be based at St John’s Church. The nature of the role may require occasional travel around the diocese. A laptop can be provided to assist remote working. The role holder will need to attend training sessions and induction at Clayton House, Blackburn.

PENSION: Royal London pension scheme with 10% employer and 2% employee contribution.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: The role will be subject to completion of a satisfactory 6-month probationary period, with the first review at 3 months. Appraisals will take place annually thereafter.

NOTICE PERIOD: During the probationary period one week's notice of termination of employment will be required on either side. Thereafter Service of Service

of less than six months 4 weeks

Over six months 12 weeks

ANNUAL LEAVE: The full-time entitlement is 25 days (not including statutory bank holidays) in the first year of employment rising by 1 day per completed calendar year up to a maximum of 30 days per year. This is pro rata for part time employees. The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

DBS: A basic DBS check is required for this role.

SAFEGUARDING: we are committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers

St John's Church, Leyland Lane, Leyland, PR25 1XB www.stjohnsleyland.co.uk

are expected to share this commitment and undertake the Diocesan

Safeguarding training course.

DIVERSITY: The Board of Finance believes that diversity enables us to thrive and develop and is committed to race equality, welcoming applications from UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

RIGHT TO WORK CHECKS: the successful candidate will need to provide documents to show their eligibility to work in the UK.

For an informal conversation about this post, please contact [contact hidden]

St John's Church, Leyland Lane, Leyland, PR25 1XB www.stjohnsleyland.co.uk