Chaplains Clerk

Sodexo Group; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 15,000 - 21,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-the-job training

Fully funded apprenticeship

Career development opportunities

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Merville Barracks, Colchester-based Chaplains Administrator role within the 16 Air Assault Brigade Chaplaincy team. You will provide essential administrative support to the Senior Chaplain and wider Chaplaincy, coordinating diaries, communications, and church activities.

The role requires discretion, professionalism, and the ability to work independently while being approachable with colleagues and service members. Training opportunities and a supportive environment are offered.

Qualifications

• Previous administrative experience in a busy office.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines.
• High level of integrity and discretion with confidential information.
• Friendly, professional contact with all levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the Senior Chaplain and Chaplaincy team.
• Be first point of contact for telephone and email enquiries.
• Manage correspondence and draft routine emails.
• Maintain Brigade Chaplaincy SharePoint and resources.
• Maintain Chaplaincy trackers and prepare returns.
• Organise rotas for BBC Service and church services.
• Support planning of Chaplaincy events, recruitment and promotional activities.
• Assist with administration of Bridge Chapel and church activities.
• Manage church diary and liaise with church users.
• Process church collections and maintain records.
• Process Chaplain and Garrison Church expenses.
• Support recruitment administration for Chaplaincy.
• Maintain noticeboards and Chaplaincy information.
• Liaise with Chaplains, military personnel and stakeholders.
• Support ad-hoc projects and other duties.

Skills

Administrative experience

Written & verbal communication

MS Office

Organisational skills

Prioritisation

Discretion & confidentiality

GCSEs/Equivalent

MODNET/DIMP training

Education

5 GCSEs grade C+ or NVQ Business Admin Level 2

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

PLEASE NOTE - Interviews are taking place Wednesday 30th September 2026 PM ONLY - with a follow-up meeting with the military team on 5th October 2026, which can be held via Microsoft Teams if preferred.

• 24 hours per week
• Mon - Thu 09:00-14:30 (incl lunch break) / Fri 09:00-13:00 (no break)
  
• £12.71 per hour
• Free Car parking
• Subsidised Dining facilities
• Sodexo Flexible benefits

Check your local transport links here: Plan Your Journey | Traveline - the destination you should input is Colchester, CO2 7UT

Job Description:

This is an opportunity to join the 16 Air Assault Brigade Chaplaincy team at Merville Barracks, Colchester as a Chaplains Administrator, providing essential administrative support to the Senior Chaplain and wider Chaplaincy team.

Based at Brigade HQ in Colchester, you'll play an important role in keeping the Chaplaincy service organised and running smoothly. It's a varied position covering administration, communication, diary and event coordination, records, correspondence and support for Brigade Chaplains and church activities.

You'll be working in a unique military environment, so discretion, professionalism and the ability to communicate with people at all levels are essential. The role will suit someone who is organised, dependable and confident working independently, while also being approachable and supportive when dealing with people.

What You’ll Do:

• Providing administrative support to the Senior Chaplain and wider Chaplaincy team.
• Acting as a first point of contact for telephone and email enquiries.
• Managing correspondence and drafting routine emails.
• Maintaining the 16 Brigade Chaplaincy SharePoint and associated resources.
• Maintaining Chaplaincy trackers and preparing relevant returns.
• Organising rotas for British Forces Broadcasting Service and church services.
• Supporting the planning and coordination of Chaplaincy events, recruitment and promotional activities.
• Assisting with the administration of Bridge Chapel and church activities.
• Managing the church diary and liaising with church users.
• Processing church collections and maintaining appropriate records.
• Processing Chaplain and Garrison Church expenses.
• Supporting recruitment administration for Chaplaincy.Maintaining noticeboards and other Chaplaincy information.
• Liaising with Chaplains, military personnel and other stakeholders.
• Supporting ad-hoc projects and other reasonable administrative duties as required.

What You Bring:

• Previous administrative experience, ideally within a busy office environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• The ability to prioritise work and meet tight deadlines.
• A high level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential information.
• A friendly and professional approach, with the confidence to communicate with people at all levels.
• 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above (or equivalent), or NVQ Business Administration Level 2.
• Willingness to undertake the required MODNET and Defence Information Management Passport (DIMP) training.

What we offer:

• On-the-job training with experienced professionals
• Fully funded apprenticeship qualifications
• Career development opportunities within Sodexo
• A friendly and supportive work environment
• Wellbeing Support – Unlimited online resources, a free health app with 24/7 virtual GP, and an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Financial Benefits – Discounts for you and your family, salary finance support, retirement plan, and a death-in-service benefit.
• Career Growth – Apprenticeships, learning tools, and development opportunities.
• Work Perks – Cycle to Work Scheme, volunteering opportunities, flexible work, full training, and a protective uniform.

Join us and be part of a company that values its employees and offers real career growth opportunities.

Sodexo reserves the right to close this advert early if we are in receipt of a high number of applications