APPLICATION PACK FOR POSITION OF PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRINCIPAL AT WESTCOTT HOUSE

Westcott HouseJesus LaneCambridge

CB5 8BPTelephone: 01223 741000www.westcott.cam.ac.uk

Who We Are

Westcott House is a Church of England theological college in the heart of the university city of Cambridge. In the past decade we have grown from a community of 60 to over 80 men and women, preparing for the challenges and opportunities of public ministry. Our vision is to train wise and faithful priests and lay leaders, committed to the renewal of the Church and the transformation of society. This is enabled by our distinctive training, which equips each student to serve in diverse and challenging contexts, and to respond to the spiritual and pastoral needs of those they serve at local, regional and national levels.

What We Do

Westcott House is a diverse Anglican community, where we learn to engage constructively with differences. As a member of the Cambridge Theological Federation – an association of theological colleges based in Cambridge – we offer an ecumenical dimension to training, with our students studying with those from other Anglican traditions as well as students from the Roman Catholic,Methodist, Orthodox and United Reformed Churches. The Federation also has a multi-faith dimension, enabling our students to learn from those of other faiths.

Most of our students spend two or three– some four – years in full-time training with us, and all undertake a rigorous academic programme of theological learning to enable them to think theologically, both to nurture the faith of fellow Christians, and to engage with the challenges of our contemporary world. Students normally undertake a degree course with the Faculty of Divinity of the University of Cambridge, or the Common Awards validated by the University of Durham.

In addition to prayer, study and community life, it is the practical experience of ministry in a range ofcontexts that teaches our students to adapt and be flexible whatever the situation. All of our students are attached to local churches during their training, and spend a term on full-time placement in a parish, many based in our unique urban project in Manchester. Many also gain experience of the church overseas, for a few weeks, a term, or even a year in places as diverse as the USA, India, South Africa or Hong Kong.

The Role

Job Title: Personal Assistant

Reports To: Principal

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week

Benefits: 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays, non-contributory defined contribution pension scheme, free lunch during term, on-site parking available.

Main Purpose of the Job:

To provide administrative assistance to the Principal. This includes management of the Principal’s diary, assisting with administration of teaching programmes, handling correspondence, making travel arrangements and general administration. To do this in a way that is in accord with the ethos of a Christian college and community.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. organising and maintaining the Principal’s diary and making appointments;2. dealing with incoming email and post, often corresponding on behalf of the

Principal;3. responding to the Principal’s written or verbal instructions or dictation;4. maintaining office systems, including data management and filing;5. arranging travel, visas and accommodation; 6. screening phone calls, enquiries and requests, and handling them when

appropriate;7. meeting and greeting visitors at all levels of seniority;

8. handling administration relating to the Principal’s teaching responsibilities;9. providing some additional administrative support to the Vice-Principal;10. assisting with the fundraising appeal, including providing administrative support for

the Fundraising Group;

11. participating in training designed to minimise occupational risks. This may include manual handling training, safe use of Display Screen Equipment and other training as required;

12. undertaking such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required, commensurate with your grade and/or salary level.

1. administration of College meetings;2. maintaining college contact and email lists;

3. assisting with the preparation of the college’s annual Induction Programme;

4. working with other college staff members on the administration of College events;

Person Specification

Qualifications/academic achievements required to do the job:

Essential: Educated to A level standard – including English and Mathematics

Experience – type and depth of experience required to do the job:

Essential: Comprehensive IT skills, with good working knowledge of windows based software

applications including Word, Excel and email Working knowledge of databases

Desirable: Previous administrative experience in higher education Experience working in a Church related institution

Special attributes required

Essential: Excellent listening, communication (verbal and written), and interpersonal skills. An ability to interact with a wide variety of people. An ability to work unsupervised and to take the initiative. Attention to detail. Accuracy. An ability to prioritise workload and deal with several projects at once. Discretion at all times when dealing with matters of a personal or financial nature. An awareness of the Data Protection Act. Strong customer care focus.

Desirable:

An ability to update web pages

Circumstances

The demands of the role may fluctuate depending on the time of the year, flexibility of working hours and ability to manage own workload are therefore essential. The role may occasionally require weekend or evening work for which overtime is not payable.

Recruitment Process

Personal disposition

Essential:

Smart appearance and friendly disposition An ability to work well within a small team, and the flexibility and willingness to assist other

team members as necessary

A good telephone manner and ability to respond courteously and helpfully to enquiries made on the telephone and in person, or by e-mail and letter

Committed to continuing personal and professional development

Loyalty and commitment Energy and enthusiasm

Desirable:

Understanding and appreciation of the aims and ethos of a Theological College of the Church of England.

A covering letter outlining suitability for the role along with a completed application form containing details of two referees, one of which should be a current or most recent employer, should be submitted to the Bursar, Mrs Victoria Espley to the address below or via email to: bursar@westcott.cam.ac.uk.

Applications will be considered on receipt and should arrive no later than 12 noon on Tuesday 15th September 2015.

If you are short listed, you will be contacted by telephone and asked to attend an interview on 22nd September. All candidates must also bring with them:

A passport A current driving licence (both the photocard and the paper counterpart) or a birth

certificate A utility bill or financial statement showing your current name and address. This must be less

than three months old Any evidence of a change of name, where appropriate

Please note that originals of the above are necessary. Photocopies or certified copies are not sufficient.

Westcott HouseJesus LaneCambridge

CB5 8BPSwitchboard: 01223 741000

www.westcott.cam.ac.uk