This role will be responsible for the development, management and implementation of a collection of inter-related projects. These projects comprise the implementation of two of the recommendations in the IICSA Report and other related developments which the Church has been planning.
In Phase One, this programme of projects will be introduced with a group of “pathfinder” dioceses and cathedrals. Following evaluation and adjustment, Phase Two will be rolled out across the Church.
The five projects which make up this role are:
1. The implementation of IICSA Recommendation 1
This is a major structural change in which the role of “Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser” changes to a new one of “Diocesan Safeguarding Officer” with greater autonomy. Supervision arrangements also change from being arranged locally to being directly supervised and quality assured by the National Safeguarding Team.
2. The introduction on a pilot basis of a “regionalised” model of support for dioceses and cathedrals in respect of safeguarding.
This is the second major, and related, structural change. In this pilot Regional Safeguarding Leads (RSLs) will be appointed to work with small groups of dioceses and cathedrals. The RSLs will supervise the dioceses’ / cathedrals’ safeguarding advisers but will also lead cross-diocese developments such as survivor engagement, sharing of expertise and good practice, joint commissioning of resources, peer review.
3. The implementation of IICSA Recommendation 8.
This involves the design and implementation of independent external auditing of the Church’s safeguarding practices.
4. The introduction of the Church’s quality assurance framework and national safeguarding standards.
The Church has a draft quality assurance framework. This now needs to be introduced into use in the pathfinder dioceses and cathedrals so that it can be further developed in readiness for implementation across the Church.
5. The development of a consistent methodology to enable dioceses and cathedrals to assess local safeguarding need and determine the resources needed to deliver good safeguarding practice.
The 42 dioceses and 42 cathedrals are responsible for the funding of their safeguarding arrangements (which include, for example, investigation of allegations, responding to survivors, training, quality assurance). The level of funding varies considerably between dioceses / cathedrals. One reason for this is the lack of a consistent methodology to assess both local need and the resources needed to achieve a good standard of safeguarding.
The role is based in the National Safeguarding Team but also links with the Church’s Project Management Office.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Planning and co-designing (with the pathfinder dioceses and cathedrals) the projects and proactively monitoring progress, resolving issues and initiating appropriate corrective action.
- Ensuring the integrity and coherence of the projects, and its continuous alignment with organisational strategies and departmental goals.
- Developing the plans for the delivery of the individual projects, setting out the key actions, steps and timescales needed for each project, the critical paths and the co-dependencies / interfaces between them.
- Leading on the direct management and delivery of specific elements of the projects.
- Establishing effective working relationships (individually and collectively) with the key stakeholders in the pathfinder dioceses and cathedrals. This will include, in particular, bishops, diocesan secretaries, deans, cathedral administrators, and diocesan and cathedral safeguarding advisers.
- Supporting the pathfinder dioceses and cathedrals in the establishment of local project groups and governance arrangements.
- Developing arrangements for the engagement of victims and survivors of abuse in co-design and programme development.
- Managing risks to the programme’s successful outcome.
- Developing the evaluation framework for Phase 1 and potentially leading the evaluation process.
- Developing the plan for roll out of the projects across the Church in Phase 2.
The main duties and responsibilities of your post are outlined in your job description. This list is not exhaustive and is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work. Changes may occur over time and you will be expected to agree any reasonable changes to your job description that are commensurate with your banding and in line with the general nature of your post. You will be consulted about any changes to your job description before these are implemented.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Skills and Aptitudes
- Good analytical skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills including the ability to clearly communicate technical / complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ability to build relationships, trust and credibility with a wide range of diverse stakeholders including the ultimate beneficiaries of the change management.
- Able to influence and persuade at all levels and with a range of stakeholders.
Knowledge / Experience
- Significant experience in complex programme and project manager roles, including:
- Experience managing end-to-end projects (full project life cycle) that include substantive business change and transformation elements (i.e. not only technical activities).
- Experience managing multiple projects in parallel.
- Reporting to the senior leadership.
- Proven track record of proactively delivering successful results.
- Experience using Microsoft Project or another equivalent Project Management Information System.
- Good knowledge of Excel (e.g. pivot tables, diagrams, formulas).
- Good knowledge of project finance and budgeting.
- Experience of working in and leading multi-disciplinary teams in a complex environment
Personal Attributes
- Able to be rational, objective and unbiased when making decisions and taking action.
- Relational: emotionally intelligent and expert in valuing and managing relationships with others as the means of delivering change.
- Politically astute – understanding, and managing successfully, organisational politics.
- Principled – strong value base and committed to doing the right thing.
- Brave – willing to challenge others (including those with power) constructively.
- Self-reflexive, welcoming and using feedback.
- In sympathy with the aims of the Church of England.
Education / Professional qualifications
- Educated to degree level.
- Formal qualification in Project Management e.g. PMP (PMI), Prince2 Practitioner (Axelos), PPQ (APM) or equivalent certification.
Circumstances
- This role will require some travel to different dioceses involved in the programme.
DESIRABLE
- Understanding of the structures of the Church of England.
- Experience working for the Church of England, for Christian Charities, in the public or charity sectors.
Interviews and assessments will take place on either Tuesday 18th May 2021 or Thursday 19th April 2021.
For more information and related documents, please see the original vacancy.
