The purpose of this role is to develop, enable and deliver training across the West Midlands region that equips church members and clergy at all levels within the church to reflect on and embed an anti-racist culture through practices, systems and processes and to support the broadening and deepening of the contribution from Global Majority Heritage/UK Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME) clergy and lay members of churches.
The Postholder needs to:
- Have an awareness of the varying contexts across the region and the barriers to understanding and tackling racism in each of those contexts, including those which prevent members of the GMH/UKME communities from experiencing the fulness of and making a contribution to church life.
- Be able to understand the role of intersectionality (the effect of other marginalising issues, such as gender, class, disability etc) in exacerbating barriers to justice
- Be a good listener and communicator, able to adapt learning into diverse contexts
- Understand the rich local learning available as well as regional and national expertise, and be willing to apply their own expertise to combining these appropriately
- Understand Church of England diocesan structures and be able to work with relevant people within those structures to change formal and informal training activities
- Be able to work collaboratively, drawing on others’ knowledge and skills and able to make appropriate contributions to others’ areas of responsibility
The Postholder will:
Review and adapt existing training resource concerning racial justice and anti-racism available through dioceses.
Work with dioceses and parishes to identify what training they need in relation to racial justice.
Work with members of the team to develop or procure appropriate training and ensure it is delivered in ways that communicate effectively in the region’s diverse contexts.
Identify the nature of anti-racism training needed for particular diocesan and parish roles and work with diocesan and parish structures and line managers to ensure training is undertaken.
Work with the national and regional RJ teams and local practitioners to develop a suite of training materials for the region.
Develop a network of volunteer facilitators across the region to help deliver training.
Work with the development officers with responsibility for youth work and education to develop the training offer to equip youth and children’s teams across the region.
Maintain and report on training records.
Continue to develop a collaborative approach to best practice in training including working with the communications animateur to deepen learning through everyday communications.
Develop training for and train senior leadership teams and diocesan officers to promote racial justice and work to eliminate racism.
Work with existing diocesan structures to embed racial justice within clergy formation and leadership development programmes.
Work with existing diocesan structures to embed racial justice within lay formation and leadership development programmes.
Lead the RRJ Team in its development of a regional network of role models and mentors from GMH/UKME backgrounds.
Undertake other tasks as may be required by the line manager.
We are looking for someone who:
- Is experienced in training and /or adult education in the community
- Is aware of issues of anti-racism and intersectionality
- Can demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and engage with a variety of people
- Provides a pro-active approach to continuously improving anti racism practices within existing structures
- Possess strong listening skills, effective communicative abilities and be adaptable to different situations
- Can demonstrate strong team working and leadership skills
- Has the ability to travel the length and breadth of the six dioceses of the project
Terms and Conditions
This is a fixed-term contract until June 2027.
Hours: Full-time 35 hours (5 days) per week. Some weekend/evening work may be required, for which the equivalent time may be taken back from standard working hours. We are happy to consider requests for flexible working, and please do mention in your application if you would be interested in looking at alternative working hours.
Salary and Pension: Salary of £36,000 plus membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with 12% employer contribution
Holidays: 5 weeks per year plus Bank Holidays and 3 Discretionary Days between Christmas and New Year
Employer: Birmingham Diocesan Board of Finance
Location: This role will cover the six diocese of the initiative and so travel will be required – a usual office base will be made available in one of the diocese based on where the postholder lives and hybrid working will be available.
Responsible To: The Regional Racial Justice Director
CLOSING DATE: 1st SEPTEMBER 2024
INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD IN ONE OF THE SIX WEST MIDLANDS DIOCESES IN WEEK COMMENCING 16th SEPTEMBER 2024
To apply for the role, please click here.
This post is supported by funding from the Church of England Racial Justice Unit