Chaplain & Welfare Officer

Peterhouse; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious college in Cambridge is seeking a Chaplain & Welfare Officer to develop the Chapel community and provide pastoral care. The role includes maintaining worship, administering Chapel activities, and organizing welfare events. Candidates must be ordained and degree-educated, with strong communication and empathy skills. The position offers a salary of £34,950 per annum, suitable housing, and a supportive environment focused on student welfare.

Benefits

Housing allowance of £11,000 per annum

Entertainment allowance

Pension contributions

Dining privileges

Office and parking

Qualifications

• Must communicate the Christian faith coherently in a college environment.
• Needs strong empathy to earn trust and respect.
• Must sustain the liturgical life of the College Chapel.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Dean in maintaining the worship and community of the College Chapel.
• Handle most aspects of Chapel administration.
• Arrange non-clinical welfare events with Student representatives.
• Offer pastoral care to the College community.
• Meet regularly with various support personnel.

Skills

Communication of the Christian faith

Empathy

Commitment to liturgical life

Education

Degree level education

Ordained member of the Church of England

Job description

Chaplain & Welfare Officer

(Initial term of 5 years, with the possibility of renewal)

(the post holder to be in place from mid-April 2026, and no later than 1st September 2026)

The Master and Fellows of Peterhouse are seeking to appoint a Chaplain and Welfare Officer who is keen to develop and nurture the Chapel community whilst also offering pastoral care and support to all members of the College community.

We are seeking a Chaplain & Welfare Officer to join us who:

• Will have the ability to communicate the Christian faith intelligently and coherently, within a college environment.
• Will have a strong degree of empathy, in order to gain the trust and respect of students and colleagues, and will both enjoy and support the College as a community.
• Will be committed to, and able to sustain the liturgical life of the College Chapel, rooted as it is in the Book of Common Prayer.
• Will be educated to degree level and be an ordained member of the Church of England or a church in communion with the Church of England.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting the Dean in maintaining the worship and community of the College Chapel both in and out of Term.
• Having responsibility for most aspects of Chapel administration.
• Arranging a programme of non-clinical welfare events in consultation with the Senior Tutor, Welfare team and student representatives.
• Offering pastoral care to all members of the College community and helping them to access other sources of support.
• Meeting regularly with the Nurse, Mental Health Adviser, College Counsellor, Tutors and student welfare representatives.

We can offer you:

• A supportive and friendly community, where student welfare and support are paramount
• The stipend of an incumbent within the Ely Diocese (£34,950 from 1st April 2026 per annum)
• Suitable housing in the centre of Cambridge, or a housing allowance of £11,000 per annum, if you are living in your own accommodation
• An entertainment allowance.
• Pension contributions toward a pension scheme.
• An office and parking (if available) in the College.
• Dining privileges on High Table and a number of other free meals

The closing date for completed applications is 8.00am on Monday 9th February 2026