Are you an enthusiastic Christian, interested in an opportunity to work with the marginalised in the centre of Blackpool?
Then the attached job advertisement may be just what you are looking for.
For an application form please contact
David Leach
Preferably by e mail: davidleach2@tiscali.co.uk
(Tel 01253 392385)
Applications must be received by
Wed 31st December 2014
Applicants selected for interview will be notified.
Interviews are expected to take place on
Wed 14th January 2015
at North Shore Methodist Church
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Comfort Zone Manager (p/t 16 hours/week)
Lay Employee in the Blackpool Methodist Circuit
Location: North Shore Methodist Church, Dickson Road, Blackpool. FY1 2AP
Responsible to: The Comfort Zone Manager will be employed by the Blackpool Circuit and will be under the supervision of the Minister in pastoral charge of North Shore Methodist Church (the Minister).
Responsible for: Leading and managing a volunteer workforce to support and sustain the smooth running of the Comfort Zone activities and help develop it's vision
Purpose and Objectives: the Comfort Zone's vision encompasses building up a group of people on the margins of today's society to have a relationship with Jesus at their centre and by which they will regain wholeness and self-respect, becoming valued for who they are through a self-supporting structure that will help to meet their physical, emotional and spiritual needs
Main Responsibilities
· to provide leadership and management of the Comfort Zone Project, working in collaboration with the Minister, the church community and the Circuit and taking the Chair of the Comfort Zone Management Committee;
· to be a visible presence and support when Comfort Zone activities take place wherever practicable and ensuring sufficient numbers of volunteer helpers are available for the weekly activities;
· to recognise skills and requirements of the volunteers, sourcing suitable training opportunities;
· carry out appropriate risk assessments and participate in risk management ensuring statutory Health and Safety and Food Hygiene policies are followed;
· to keep appropriate records of volunteers, especially those required relating to Safeguarding Young People and Vulnerable Adults, fully supporting (and adhering to the processes of) the Methodist Church in its commitment to Safeguarding;
· to support the overall vision of an open and inclusive Christian centre and apply Equal Opportunities policies and procedures at all time;
· to communicate and champion the Comfort Zone across the Circuit, ecumenical and lay organisations to draw people into the vision gaining tangible support for its aims and objectives;
· to source and access suitable resources/funding opportunities to help develop the project;
· to attend Circuit's Social Responsibility Board (the designated oversight group) meetings up to 6 times a year to keep them appraised of the project's progress, raise appropriate issues for discussion and advice and agreement to any future developments;
· to undertake at least 1 week's personal training/development a year
Terms and conditions
· Terms of appointment: Fixed Term until 31st Aug 2017
· The salary will be £8,500 per annum for this part-time appointment.
· Normal working pattern: 16 hours per week with 3 hours specifically on both Monday evenings and Wednesday mornings at Dickson Road Methodist Church.
· Opportunities for study and for training.
· All reasonable expenses will be reimbursed including towards approved training. (Note you will not be expected to use a car for this job).
· 28 days(5.6 weeks) statutory annual leave entitlement per year (pro-rata for part-time Workers).
· Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure & Debarring Service (DBS) disclosure, satisfactory references and satisfactory completion of a three-month probationary period.
Management
· The Lay Employee will have a line manager (the Minister) whose responsibilities will be to:
Ø Become familiar with the work of the Lay Employee.
Ø Work with the Lay Employee to determine priorities for the work.
Ø Prepare a personal development plan with the lay employee.
Ø Ensure good communications between all people and networks involved.
Ø Monitor and evaluate progress with the Lay Employee on a regular basis (formal meetings will take place at least monthly during the probationary period and quarterly thereafter).
Ø Act as a "sounding board" to the Lay Employee.
Ø Encourage the Lay Employee to arrange pastoral support, through the formation of a separate support group.
Person specification
Criteria Essential/Desirable
Experience
| Christian faith and values with active involvement in a church and/or community | E |
| Experience of working with vulnerable adults | E |
| Working in a paid or voluntary community development setting | E |
| | |
Skills
| Excellent communication across a wide variety of people | E |
| Able to develop effective working relationships | E |
| Able to motivate a team of volunteers | E |
| | |
Knowledge
| Issues around homelessness, drug and alcohol misuse and appropriate support services | E |
| Methodist structure and organisation | D |
| Social action conscience | D |
| Legislation relevant to the post | D |
| | |
