LAY CHAPLAIN

LAY CHAPLAIN & PA TO THE SUFFRAGAN BISHOP Employer: The Office of the Bishop in Europe ASBL, Brussels Job Title: Lay Chaplain & PA to the Suffragan Bishop

Location:
Office of the Anglican Bishop, 47 rue Capitaine Crespel, 1050 Brussels Responsible to: The Suffragan Bishop Contract type: Full time, permanent Hours: 37.5 per week Key Relationships: The Diocesan Bishop, the Suffragan Bishop, staff in the bishop’s office, staff at the Diocesan Office in London, the Archdeacons Context and Purpose Rationale The new Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese in Europe was installed in early March 2025. The Chaplain/PA to the previous Suffragan Bishop, who was based in the Diocesan Office in London, retired in February 2024 leaving the role vacant. An Interim Lay Chaplain and PA to work in the Bishop’s office in Brussels was appointed while the new role was being discerned and finalised. The interim role will now be replaced by a permanent appointment. The Bishop’s Office The Bishop’s Office was set up in 2014 in Brussels as a charitable company (Office of the Bishop in Europe association sans but lucratif) with a Board of Directors chaired by the Bishop. The ASBL employs the staff. It is wholly funded by the Church Commissioners. The office premises themselves are in the commercial centre of Brussels. The premises are light and modern. The Suffragan Bishop lives some 10km from the Office in the suburb of Rhode St Genese. The staff currently based in the Bishop’s Office are: the Bishop, the Suffragan Bishop, the Bishop’s Chaplain, the Bishop’s EU Advisor, the Bishop’s PA, the Administrative Secretary and the Diocesan Appointments Secretary. The Pro-Cathedral of Holy Trinity is a few metres away in the same street and is often used for episcopal or diocesan liturgical events. Summary Of Responsibilities The first priority of the Bishop in Europe and his senior team is progressing the Diocesan vision and strategy, and all our work is set in that context. The Lay Chaplain and PA’s role is to support the Suffragan Bishop in his ministry in the Diocese in Europe. The Lay Chaplain & PA will be responsible for providing liturgy for a broad range of services including licensings, Holy Communion, confirmation services and ordinations. A key element of the role will be the management of the Suffragan Bishop’s diary, visits, meetings and events. They will ensure that the Suffragan’s diary and commitments are well managed and organised in a way that enables the Suffragan Bishop to undertake his role and wider ministry in the most sustainable way. The essence of the role is to do everything possible to assist the Suffragan Bishop in serving the chaplaincies and congregations of the diocese. This Includes
• To pray regularly for the Bishop in the exercise of his responsibilities
• To reflect theologically with the Bishop regarding his mission and ministry
• Liaise with chaplaincy clergy regarding services at which the Bishop will preside and preach, ensuring all liturgical details are covered and well prepared.
• Prepare texts and templates for episcopal and diocesan liturgies.
• Research material for sermons and talks if required
• provide appropriate personal support to the Bishop in the exercise of his duties and be a person to whom the Bishop can turn and speak to in confidence.
• To respond to calls, emails, complaints or enquiries, answering queries directly, delegating or passing them on to the appropriate person according to need and sensitivity
• Drafting letters and briefs in consultation with the Bishop’s Chaplain
• Organise meetings and take minutes where required Diary Strategic Oversight For The Planning, Organising And Coordinating Of All Elements Of The Day-to-day Diary Management For The Suffragan Bishop, Which Includes But Is Not Limited To
• Book, manage and adjust appointments, engagements and meetings.
• Organise the diary and schedule the bishop’s day in a way that enables and sustains his ministry.
• Plan & protect the bishop’s diary by setting criteria to manage all diary demands including managing and prioritising requests to ensure that the number of commitments is sustainable.
• Ensure adequate preparation time for sermons, speaking engagements, working groups etc. is scheduled
• Make travel and accommodation arrangements as required.
• Ensure the bishop has all necessary paperwork or information in advance of meetings or engagements.
• Liaise with the Bishop’s PA, chaplaincies, clergy and all key stakeholders where needed.
• Send appropriate responses to all requests and invitations. Finance
• Administer the bank account set up for the Suffragan Bishop, in liaison with the Finance Manager, Bishoprics and Cathedrals Department.
• Prepare quarterly accounts for the Church Commissioners
• reconcile credit card payments on behalf of the Suffragan Bishop
• Book and pay for travel, using the office bank card, for the Suffragan Bishop
• Respond to any queries arising from payments or travel reservations
• Liaise with the office accountant on financial issues General
• Build excellent working relationships with all those with whom the Suffragan Bishop comes into contact by responding to a wide range of enquiries in a warm and friendly manner either in person or by directing enquirers to the appropriate sources of information.
• Establish, maintain and improve ways of working and consistent information flow including liaising with the bishop’s staff, Diocesan Office, clergy and others.
• Assist in arranging official hospitality by the Diocesan bishop or Suffragan bishop as required and share in welcoming visitors to the Bishop’s Office.
• Undertake other appropriate duties as commensurate with the role as requested by the Suffragan Bishop.
• Support the Suffragan Bishop in his role as Chair of the Strategy Working Group and other working groups, where appropriate acting as Secretary, organising agendas and taking minutes This list is not exhaustive and is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work. Personal Attributes And Skills
• Ability to work calmly under pressure and solve problems efficiently and effectively.
• Efficient and quick at dealing with requests.
• Able to work flexibly, both in terms of time and responsibilities.
• Innovative with the ability to identify and implement new ways of working.
• Able to organise own workload, set priorities, work to deadlines without direct supervision.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written including excellent report writing skills.
• Aptitude for researching and producing high quality written reports, letters, briefings, presentations and information suitable for a range of audiences with a limited brief.
• The ability to work well in a small team and be part of a close-knit office;
• you will need to have or be able to quickly develop a thorough knowledge of the many facets of a Suffragan Bishop’s role and of the workings of the Diocese in Europe and the Church of England more widely.
• Good interpersonal skills and diplomatic, with a friendly, calm manner
• Willingness to develop skills in the formation of liturgy and worship
• IT literate (Microsoft Office 365, Excel).
• The ability to maintain absolute confidentiality and to be courteous, and highly discreet. Terms And Conditions Of Service And Other Notes Place of Work: The Chaplain’s main place of work is the Bishop’s Office in Brussels. There will be a requirement for occasional travel to support the Bishop, within Belgium and to other countries. Working language : the day to day language used in the office is English, knowledge of French, Dutch or German would be an asset. Remuneration: The salary is €3844 gross per month. This will be paid monthly in arrears, normally on the last working day of each month through Payroll Services. Tax and pension contributions will be calculated by the Payroll Services and deducted at source. Working expenses: Will be reimbursed monthly from the Bishop’s Office on behalf of the Church Commissioners. Belgian terms and conditions include assistance with commuting costs on public transport.

Working hours
As a general rule the Lay Chaplain/PA will be expected to keep office hours of 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. with a break for lunch. There is no payment for overtime. General Conditions Standards of Behaviour and Conduct The Labour Code of the Office the Bishop in Europe asbl applies to this post. In addition, the Interim Lay Chaplain/PA is expected to act at all times with due consideration for others and in a manner befitting their position as an employee of the Church in a position of trust. Health And Safety Responsibilities The Interim Lay Chaplain/PA needs to abide by Belgian health and safety at work policies and model good practice in this area. Confidentiality Confidentiality is of the essence. The Interim Lay Chaplain/PA must not pass on to unauthorised persons any information obtained in the course of his/her duties without the permission of the Bishop. Annual Leave The Chaplain is entitled to 25 days paid annual leave per year. This is exclusive of Belgian public holidays. The leave year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Leave is calculated according to Belgian employment law, based on working time in the previous year. DBS Checking This post is subject to safeguarding clearance including enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure and Barring Service.