Personal Assistant to the Bishop of Bedford

Introduction

• The purpose of this role is to provide administrative and secretarial support for the Bishop of Bedford, including:

• Maintaining the Bishop’s diary;

• Producing letters and minutes of meetings, and drafting these where appropriate;

• Editing and redrafting letters according to pastoral need and sensitivity;

• Preparing paperwork for meetings and services of worship;

• Maintaining and updating confidential clergy files;

• Maintaining the Bishop’s Expenses Account;

• Maintaining the Bishop’s databases;

• Producing and circulating Notices of Appointment and Vacancy;

• Liaising with parishes about services of worship, including Confirmations;

• Arranging the Bishop’s interviews, including with clergy and candidates for ordination;

• Overseeing the Bishop’s hospitality programme. 

• Undertaking general reception duties, arranging for provision of lunches and other refreshments;

• Liaising with:

• the personal staff of the Bishop of St Albans and his senior colleagues, as necessary;

• colleagues in the Diocesan Office;

• lead officers and staff of other bodies, both diocesan and national.

• Undertaking confidential administrative work in connection with safeguarding, Disclosure and Barring Service checks and Clergy Discipline procedures, including liaison with diocesan staff;

• Organising national, and occasionally international, travel arrangements;

• Undertaking general research for the Bishop in preparation for his speeches, sermons, policy statements and other public work both written and spoken;  

• Occasional oversight of casual staff.

• Carrying out other duties broadly in line with these from time to time as instructed by the Bishop and those he nominates.

• Graduate level education or relevant employment experience, with a high standard of literacy and numeracy;
• Proven interpersonal skills applicable to daily liaison with clergy, colleagues and the public on the telephone and face-to-face;
• The ability to maintain absolute confidentiality and to be courteous, friendly and highly discreet;
• The ability to work well in a small team and be part of a close-knit office.
• The ability to work independently and regularly alone in a quiet environment;
• The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and to work on own initiative;
• A working knowledge of safeguarding and GDPR requirements;
• Competence in the use of all aspects of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook and database management;
• Efficient keyboard skills;
• A flexible approach to duties and working hours, including a willingness to share responsibilities with colleagues and to assist at and attend occasional evening/weekend functions;
• Good time management and organisational skills;
• Readiness and ability to share in the ethos of the Bishop’s office.
• A current driving licence. 

• A good working knowledge of the structures and systems of the Church of England.
• Access to a car.

• A salary of £26,579.20 (FTE £29,071) per annum plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of salary.
• 25 days annual leave FTE