Chaplaincy and Collective Worship Adviser

Church of England - Diocese of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 45,378 - 48,887; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous employer pension contribution

Annual holiday entitlement starting at 25 days

Access to wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced family-friendly policies

Free parking and subsidised on-site café

Job summary

A leading religious institution in Oxford is seeking a Chaplaincy and Collective Worship Adviser. This part-time role involves supporting chaplaincy and collective worship across educational settings. Candidates should have experience in leading worship in schools and possess strong interpersonal skills. The position offers a generous pension, holiday entitlement, and a commitment to equality and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Experience in education settings with leading collective worship.
• At least three years’ relevant experience in chaplaincy.
• Ability to build relationships and inspire others.

Responsibilities

• Develop new chaplaincies and nurture current provision.
• Support collective worship in Church schools.

Skills

Leading collective worship in schools

Strong interpersonal skills

Emotional intelligence and resilience

ICT literacy

Understanding of safeguarding

Education

Relevant professional qualification in youth/children’s ministry

Qualified teacher status (desirable)

Job description

Overview

Position: Chaplaincy and Collective Worship Adviser — Church of England, Diocese of Oxford. Location: Oxford. Hours: Part-time 0.6 FTE (22.2 hours per week).

Salary: £45,378 to £48,887 (pro-rata per annum). There is also the potential for a tied house. Contract: Permanent. Closing Date: 15 September 2025 at midnight. Interview Date: 24 September 2025 at Church House Oxford, Kidlington.

The Role

Are you an experienced and committed professional with a genuine heart for leading the support for chaplaincy and collective worship across our schools, academies, colleges, and trusts? We seek applications from people who have a working knowledge and experience of chaplaincy, collective worship, and spiritual growth within education.

Working closely as part of a team of Diocesan School Advisers, the priorities for the successful candidate will be to develop new chaplaincies and nurturing current provision. The support for collective worship in Church schools will be a core component of this exciting role.

About You

We are looking for a practicing Christian in sympathy with the Anglican tradition with the ability to articulate the Christian faith. An ability to walk alongside colleagues in schools/colleges and to form positive professional relationships is essential.

Key experience and qualities

• A relevant professional qualification in youth/children’s ministry, teaching, ordained ministry or equivalent


• Experience in education settings and with volunteers, ideally including leading collective worship in schools


• Understanding of chaplaincy in schools, with at least three years’ relevant experience


• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, inspire and motivate others


• Emotional intelligence, resilience, and the confidence to take initiative and make sound decisions


• Knowledge of safeguarding in an educational context


• ICT literacy and willingness to embrace new technologies


• A valid driving licence and ability to travel across the diocese

Desirable

Desirable: qualified teacher status, team management experience, and knowledge of chaplaincy at a local and national level.

The position is subject to enhanced DBS checks.

Benefits and Rewards

• Generous employer pension contribution of 12.5% into the auto-enrolment pension scheme, which includes a death-in-service benefit (5% employee contribution)


• Re-accreditation as a Living Wage employer


• Annual holiday entitlement starting at 25 days, excluding public holidays, rising each year by one day to a maximum of 30 days, pro-rata for part-time employees


• In addition to the statutory UK public holidays, the Diocese offers three privilege days to all employees, namely Maundy Thursday, Ascension Day, and Christmas Eve (or the closest working day, where this falls on a weekend)


• Sabbatical leave, after a qualifying period of service


• Access to wellbeing support via Employee Assistance Programme


• Enhanced family-friendly policies and a generous occupational sick pay provision


• Free parking and subsidised on-site café


• Electric car and cycle-to-work salary sacrifice schemes


• EV charging points on site


• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme with Octopus Electric Dreams


• Cycle to Work scheme with Green Commute Initiative


• Contributions towards eye examinations and prescriptive lenses


• Access to low-interest rate financial services from Churches Mutual Credit Union


• An attractive and modern working environment

The successful candidate must have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.

If you would like to learn more about this opportunity before submitting your application, please feel free to contact the charity. Contact details are available once you start the process.

We want the organisation's commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion for all to be reflected in the composition of staff. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates from communities currently underrepresented in the diocese.

This post is exempt under paragraph 3 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010. The charity supports and promotes the aims of the Church of England. This post has a representational role on behalf of the charity.

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Part-time

Job function

• Education, Training, and Other

Industries

• Religious Institutions and Non-profit Organizations