Interim Senior Chaplain to the Bishop of Oxford

Summary

The Bishop of Oxford is seeking a Senior Chaplain for an initial period of 4 years to be a resource to the Bishop and senior colleagues in practical support and theological reflection. You will need to be a good team player, adaptable, flexible, assisting the Bishop with daily routine matters, including contact with others face to face, and by telephone and correspondence, over matters of a pastoral, theological, liturgical and disciplinary nature. The role is based at Church House, Kidlington with a salary of £33,985 per annum and a house will be provided. For an informal conversation with the Bishop to find out more about the role, please email to arrange this.

The Bishop's Chaplain will:

1. Be a resource to the Bishop in theological reflection and endeavour.
2. Assist the Bishop with daily routine matters, including contact - face to face, by telephone and correspondence - over matters of a pastoral, theological, liturgical and disciplinary nature, drafting letters and references in the Bishop's name and responding in their own name to letters addressed to the Bishop where appropriate.
3. Act as required as the Bishop's personal representative with individuals, to parishes and at particular events/meetings, and on task groups within the Diocese including the chairing of the Diocesan Emergency Planning Gold Group and liaison with faith leaders across the three counties.
4. Act on the Bishop's behalf to offer pastoral support at senior level to colleagues across the Diocese and co-ordinate the offering of such support to clergy, survivors of abuse and complainants and respondents.
5. Help to maintain and build on the effective and efficient communication which exists among the Bishop's Staff and between the Bishop's Office and other offices, particularly those of the Diocesan Secretary, the Cathedral Chapter, the Communications Officer, the Safeguarding Adviser and the Diocesan Registry.
6. Liaise with the Registry with regard to ordinations; the issue of licences; and other legal documents.

For more information please refer to the Job Description & Person Specification document.

Closing date for applications is 13 April 2025

Interviews are expected to take place on 07 May 2025

Key requirements

1. The Senior Chaplain's main place of work is Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1GF
2. The expectation is of a similar time commitment as a parish priest. As a general rule the Chaplain will be expected to share in morning worship outside office hours, and to keep office hours of 9.00 am to 5.00 pm with a break for lunch. There is an expectation of some work, and ministry being exercised, outside office hours. There will be some evening commitments. The rest day is generally a Saturday.
3. The post is subject to Safer Recruitment Processes and a satisfactory Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Disclosure.
4. This post has attached to it an Occupational Requirement under the 2010 Equality Act, Part 1, Schedule 9.

What we offer

1. A salary of £33,985 per annum (equivalent to the stipend of a Residentiary Canon).
2. A house will be provided to enable the Chaplain to carry out their duties.
3. Clergy already in the Church of England Funded Pensions Scheme (CEFPS) will have the option of either remaining in this scheme or joining the PB14 scheme. In addition to the employer age-related contribution (between 8-15% of salary), the employer also matches the employee contributions in whole percentages up to 3%. Employees enrolled into PB2014 will be automatically enrolled to contribute 3% of their pensionable salary. The employee can choose to increase or decrease their contribution at any time.
4. 36 days annual leave FTE.
5. Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme.