Chaplain and Advisor

King's College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Indefinite contract

Job summary

King's College London invites applications for the Muslim Chaplain and Advisor on Anti-Muslim Hate. This part-time role (0.8FTE) provides pastoral care to students and staff while advising University leadership on Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate, balancing wellbeing with academic freedom.

The post oversees Muslim Prayer Rooms, supports Ramadan and daily prayer needs, and builds partnerships with Islamic communities to promote inclusion across King's five campuses and with external bodies.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of Islam and its diverse practices
• Ability to provide guidance on anti-Muslim hate in HE context
• Experience in pastoral care and confidential listening
• Ability to brief senior leadership and external stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Advise Dean and colleagues on proactive inclusive adjustments for Muslim students and staff
• Oversee Islamic religious life and strategic oversight of Muslim Prayer Rooms across campuses
• Provide expert guidance on identifying and addressing Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate
• Deliver training to improve cultural literacy and reduce prejudice

Skills

Islamic expertise

Pastoral care

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Student engagement

Diplomacy

Collaboration

Education delivery

Education

Postgraduate Islamic studies

Job description

The Muslim Chaplain and Advisor on Anti-Muslim Hate is a new dual-focus role designed to provide holistic support to the significant Muslim community at King's. Simultaneously with providing appropriate pastoral care to students and staff of all backgrounds, they will serve as an advisor to the University, providing expert guidance on identifying and addressing Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate, ensuring a safe environment that balances the wellbeing of Muslim members with the University's commitment to academic freedom and freedom of expression. The Chaplain and Advisor will provide pastoral care and community leadership, including offering a culturally competent space for Muslim individuals to discuss concerns, and supporting and facilitating Islamic religious life on campus (incorporating strategic oversight and management of the Muslim Prayer Rooms across campuses). The Chaplain and Advisor will advise the Dean and colleagues in Student Services on proactive "inclusive adjustments" for Muslim students and staff, particularly concerning Ramadan, Eid, and daily prayer requirements, and in acting as the primary subject matter expert for senior leadership within the University, will provide briefings for leadership and attend high-level meetings as required to address incidents or systemic concerns regarding anti-Muslim sentiment. The Chaplain and Advisor will build and maintain relationships within and beyond King's, facilitating stronger links between Muslim student/staff groups and the wider University body to promote mutual understanding and communal cohesion, and developing partnerships with external Islamic agencies, community leaders, and relevant national bodies. The Chaplain and Advisor will work with the University's EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) team and Student Support to source, develop, and oversee the delivery of anti-Muslim hate awareness training for appropriate University audiences (such as Security, HR, and academic staff). They will also ensure that the University is equipped with the vocabulary and frameworks necessary to identify and dismantle Islamophobic tropes and discriminatory practices. This is a part time post (28 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract. The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension. We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination. When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King's guidance. Further guidance on the use of AI in recruitment can be found here. We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day. Interviews are expected to be held on 2 or 3 November 2026. This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service clearances.

Essential criteria

• Subject Matter Expertise: Deep understanding of Islam and the diverse ways it is practiced, with the ability to provide expert guidance on addressing anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia within a Higher Education context.
• Pastoral Excellence: Proficiency in active, confidential listening and spiritual care, with the clear understanding of professional boundaries and when to refer individuals to specialist services.
• Communication: Excellent spoken and written communication skills, with the ability to draft high-level briefings and engage authoritatively with senior university leadership and external stakeholders.
• Interpersonal & Cross-Cultural Fluency: Demonstrable experience in multi-faith working and the ability to build rapport with a broad range of students and staff of all faiths and none.
• Student Engagement: Proven ability to connect with a diverse student body with empathy, while offering appropriate challenge to foster personal and communal growth.
• Institutional Diplomacy: Ability to navigate complex issues regarding freedom of expression and academic freedom, providing nuanced advice that balances community safety with university values.
• Collaborative Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively and contribute proactively as a member of a diverse team of colleagues within a fast-paced environment.
• Educational Delivery: Experience in, or a clear aptitude for, sourcing or delivering training and workshops aimed at increasing cultural literacy and reducing prejudice.

Desirable criteria

• Academic/Theological Qualifications: Post-graduate training or recognised qualifications in Islamic Studies or a related field.
• Professional Pastoral Training: Professional accreditation or recognised training in counselling, chaplaincy, or mental health first aid.
• Conflict Mediation: Formal experience or qualification in conflict resolution, restorative justice, or mediation, particularly in multi-faith or highly polarised environments.
• Sector Expertise: A sophisticated understanding of the current regulatory and social challenges facing the UK Higher Education sector.
• Community Engagement: Experience in developing community-led initiatives that promote social cohesion or inter-communal dialogue.

The multi-faith Chaplaincy team at King's College London works across all five campuses of this world-renowned University, based in central and south London, which aims to deliver exceptional education and world-leading research. King's is committed to creating positive and sustainable change in our local and global communities through outstanding education, impactful research, and genuine service to society. Located within the Dean's Office (see ), the Chaplaincy plays an important role in the field of student welfare, in collaboration with colleagues in other areas where applicable, and also provides a support service to King's staff as needed. At King's, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.

Grade and Salary : Grade 6 (0.8FTE): £36,024.80 - £42,011.20 (including London Weighting; pro-rata) Job ID : 158647