10760 - Muslim Chaplain HMP Littlehey - Part Time

Ministry of Justice; Huntingdon; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Chaplain to provide faith and pastoral care to prisoners and staff. The role involves leading worship, facilitating access to faith-based resources, and developing relationships with faith communities. Ideal candidates will have a recognized qualification in Islamic Studies or equivalent knowledge, along with pastoral care experience.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Leave entitlement and benefits information

Qualifications

• Must meet eligibility requirements for their faith.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English or Welsh.
• Demonstrated experience in providing pastoral care.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and pastoral care to prisoners and staff.
• Plan and lead worship, meditation, and faith-specific meetings.
• Facilitate access to faith-based resources and support.

Skills

Pastoral care

Understanding of diverse faiths

Communication

Education

Qualification in Islamic Studies at Alimiyyah / graduate level

Job description

Overview

This position is for Fridays and one other day by mutual agreement.

The job holder will provide faith/belief and pastoral care to prisoners and staff of their own faith/belief tradition and have an understanding/knowledge of other faiths as part of a multi-faith chaplaincy team. They will also meet the pastoral needs of people of other faiths/beliefs and none.

Summary

The job holder will work with colleagues to ensure the delivery of PSI 05/2016 Faith and Pastoral Care for Prisoners or its successor policy framework and the broader work of chaplaincy in delivering faith and non-faith-based courses. They will contribute to the process by which the Governor and Chaplain General/Head of Faith Services are assured that these policies are being delivered. The job holder will engage with and build contacts with their own faith/belief community to aid the resettlement of offenders. They should take responsibility for their own spiritual health and development, allowing time for private prayer/reflection, study and retreat. This is a non-rotational, non-operational role with no line management or supervisory responsibilities.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• provide guidance on their faith/belief system in the establishment providing advice, pastoral care and spiritual welfare to prisoners, staff and their families as requested, liaising with their Faith and Belief Adviser (FBA) or other FBA as appropriate
• plan and lead worship/meditation, prayer and faith/belief specific meetings. Be part of the provision of available and accessible chaplaincy care at all times
• facilitate and deliver opportunities for worship/meditation, study and religious programmes. Work collaboratively with other Chaplains, the Managing Chaplain, volunteers and external groups on the maintenance and provision of facilities for worship/meditation and prayer
• contribute towards the development of local policy, procedures and practice
• provide pastoral care to prisoners and help to provide support and bring resolution to crisis situations where required. Provide mentoring and personal support for other chaplains and volunteers including following incidents
• nurture Chaplaincy volunteers in their contribution
• work with the Official Prison Visitor (OPV) Liaison Officer in promoting the scheme within the prison ensuring all prisoners are aware of it and to assist where required OPV volunteers
• ensure their prison community is aware of relevant faith/belief events and coordinate establishment support for these. Acquire and distribute appropriate faith/belief literature, artefacts and materials
• contribute to training programmes and materials for staff and volunteers. Be part of the organisation and delivery of Faith Awareness Training for staff
• represent the chaplaincy team at establishment meetings, committees etc in the absence of the Managing Chaplain
• actively support the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) process
• attend relevant boards/meetings and actively contribute either as chair or team member
• with the agreement of the Managing Chaplain and establishment senior management team and as required, take on additional roles; e.g. Family Liaison Officer, Family Services single point of contact, volunteer coordinator etc
• be proactive in forging links with their local faith/belief communities and other agencies, as relevant and consider ways in which these communities/agencies may become involved in supporting prisoners on release
• participate in developing ways for improving and achieving targets as required, undertake and ensure that all relevant administration, data collection and analysis including relevant targets are collated; and
• assist in Probation Approved Premises (APs), with offenders on release into the community, those serving community sentences or other HMPPS funded community initiatives by agreement

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and are not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Chaplains are required to meet the faith/belief eligibility requirements for their chosen faith/belief as outlined within the Group Profile
• An ability to fulfil all spoken and written aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh

Technical Requirements

Must complete specific training to hold the qualifications required for area of specialism outlined on the relevant job description.

Faith/Belief Eligibility Requirements (January 2023) Muslim

• Hold a recognised qualification in Islamic Studies at Alimiyyah / graduate level

Or

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of Islam at an equivalent level
• Be proficient in Tajweed (correct pronunciation of Arabic)
• Have demonstrable knowledge of the different schools of thought and denominations within Islam and be willing to help in, encourage interest in, and facilitate practice of those schools and denominations when required by different segments of the congregation
• Formal endorsement by the candidate’s faith community – through HMPPS Muslim Faith and Belief Adviser in Chaplaincy and Faith Services at headquarters. Evidence required before appointment

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

If part time, hours to be confirmed.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home. Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service...

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS Flexible Working policy.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff. The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit.

Leave entitlement and holiday information, bank/public/privilege holidays, pensions, work-life balance, and other benefits are described in the full advert text.

Other Information

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ offers adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Veterans’ interview guarantees and Redeployment opportunities are described in the advert.

There is also information about Civil Service Nationality Rules and a reserve list policy. A sample job document and experience assessment methods are noted, including the Statement of Suitability and interview stage assessments.

Use of Artificial Intelligence: ensure all application evidence is truthful; avoid plagiarism including AI-generated content.

Notes: This description is based on the provided text and may include standard civil service boilerplate not exhaustive of duties.