Yorkshire Synod Training and Mission Enabler

Reporting to – Ministries Committee and accountable to Synod Council

Location – Home based within Yorkshire with access to Synod Office

Travel – Travel around the Synod will be required

Working hours - This is a full-time post. The post holder will work 35 hours per week with 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays. Working outside of normal hours can be an occasional feature of this role, requiring some flexibility. The post-holder will be required to be accountable for their time management

Terms of appointment - Fixed Term for three years with possibility of extension.

Disclosure and barring service - The post will be subject to Enhanced DBS clearance

Salary – circa £45,000.

Role summary and purpose of the role –

We are looking for someone who can support the Synod in delivering on its stated missional priority.  The focus of the role is to enable local churches to flourish as missional Christian communities.

The role-holder will need to prioritise visiting and getting to know the local churches of the Synod to support them in articulating their own sense of mission.  Drawing on these encounters, the role-holder will work with many other stakeholders in the Synod to continue to develop a shared sense of mission.  This is currently articulated in the Synod’s ‘5 Missional Threads’ and in its Mission Strategy (see appendices)

The Synod has an ambition to support every local church to produce and regularly review a ‘Living Document’ (see paper H5 from General Assembly 2024 https://urc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Book-of-Reports-2024-full-papers.pdf, p187 ) to describe their current missional activity and plans.  The post-holder will have a key role in the enabling of this.

The Synod has a training and development plan which currently offers a variety of valued resources and opportunities to the local churches.  The post-holder will be working as part of a development group to continue this work, and to support and develop it as appropriate.

Drawing on the conversations with local churches and with the Synod development group, the post-holder will identify further training and development needs, will produce a training and development framework with a timeframe, agreed by Synod Council, and will support the delivery of it.

Key Responsibilities and tasks

·       Engage with local churches and through a partnership approach assist them in discerning what they believe their local Mission consists of and in doing so identify what training is required for the local church to achieve these aims.

·       To understand and be able to utilize the basis of the 5 threads of the Yorkshire Synod Mission to engage with local churches working to embed this message into how their churches develop this mission

·       Work collaboratively with the local churches and the Synod to identify the training needs for each group and what framework is required to support this need.

·       To identify and provide support to local churches by producing and maintaining a Living Document in conjunction with the Synod Moderator

·       Provide and facilitate the appropriate delivery of training needs to local churches to enable them to share their mission with others in their local community.  Organise and ensure professional delivery of training by internal or external sources, including required aspects of safety, confidentiality, safeguarding etc.

·       Review training delivered, including from feedback forms, and revise training as necessary.

·       To undertake learning needs analyses across the Synod in light of future developments

·       Liaising with URC Resource Centres for Learning in order to promote their resources across the Synod.

·       Engage with the denomination-wide Training & Development Officer (TDO ) network, and to bring denominational conversations and communications to the notice of the Synod including through the Ministries Committee.

·       Provide professional support and guidance to Synod line managers, with any identified training and development needs.

·       To ensure and encourage appropriate training for Synod staff eg FLICK, First Aid etc.

·       Work alongside the Synod Ministries Committee whose current responsibilities include:

1.       Supporting candidates for URC ministry (e.g. organising the URC Short Course)

2.       Ensuring ordinands are supported by the sending church and Synod

3.       Education for Ministry Phase 2 (EM2) training

4.       Education for Ministry Phase 3 (EM3) training

5.       Resourcing Elders training and development

6.       Resourcing  training and development of Assembly Accredited Lay Preachers, Locally Recognised Worship Leaders and those exploring leading worship.

7.       Sabbaticals

These above seven responsibilities are normally overseen by individual members of the Ministries Committee. However, the post holder may be asked to offer support in certain circumstances.

Probationary period

·       The probationary period is 6 months

Budget Responsibility

·       The post holder will be responsible for working within the agreed budget and liaising with the relevant Committee and Synod Treasurer regarding future budgets.

Health and Safety at Work

·       The post holder is required to take reasonable care of the health and safety of him/herself and other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work and to co-operate with the Synod Office in adhering to statutory safety regulations.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

·       The Synod is an equal opportunity organisation and will not discriminate on the grounds of gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, disability, religious beliefs, colour, ethnic or national origin, marital status or age.

Other Requirements

·       In accordance with the Equality Act 2010: Part 1, Schedule 9, there is an occupational requirement for the post holder to be a practising Christian.

·       A  deep knowledge of contemporary missional theology

·       Hold full current driving license and have access to own personal vehicle.  The post holder must also be able to travel widely across the Synod when required and at times nationally.

·       The post holder must hold a current Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) Clearance. This will be arranged by Synod.

·       It is essential that the post holder undertakes training, appraisal and personal development to ensure their skills and knowledge are in line with the wider world of Training and Development. Such needs are to be agreed with their line manager and in line with the guidance in the current staff handbook.

·       The YSTDE is expected to take part in various Committee and Group meetings, as required under direction of their line manager.

·       The YSTDE will utilise a variety of communication media and platforms in facilitating their role and offering training options.

Summary

·       This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the Training and  Development Enabler. However, they may be required to undertake additional duties as appropriate.

·       The needs of the role will change over time to reflect the developing needs of the Synod, as well as the personal development needs of the YSTDE and therefore this job description will be reviewed as part of the individual’s appraisal on an annual basis. This process could be brought forward by mutual agreement if it is deemed necessary or helpful.

·       This job description needs to be read and used in conjunction with the Yorkshire Synod Staff Handbook.