Communications and Programmes Officer

Caritas Social Action Network

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) was launched in March 2003 to help raise the profile and voice of Catholics involved in social justice.  CSAN was a new organisation which incorporated the functions of three former social welfare bodies of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The Social Welfare Committee was established in 1984, when a new committee structure replaced a former system of commissions. It was one of several committees in the Department of Christian Responsibility and Citizenship.

Its purpose was to advise the bishops on matters concerning social welfare and social policy, and to assist dioceses and parishes by providing advice on the pastoral care of people and groups with particular needs. Following the establishment of CASC (see below), however, the Social Welfare Committee focused more upon pastoral concerns, leaving social policy matters more to CASC. The Social Welfare Committee produced several reports and publications on a range of themes, including the pastoral care of offenders and people with a homosexual orientation, dementia and spirituality, volunteers and substance misuse

About the role

Are you passionate about social justice, communications, and Catholic Social Teaching? Do you enjoy working in a collaborative, mission-driven environment? We’re looking for a Communications and Programmes Officer to help us strengthen our voice, support our members, and deliver impactful events and resources.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and analyse the annual survey of members and other occasional surveys as required using available forms.
• Provide logistical and clerking support for CSAN’s course sessions, events/conferences, alliances, and task groups, in particular the Diocesan and Youth alliances.
• Serve as Course Administrator for the Caritas Academy (England and Wales).
• Collect and maintain internal data on member agencies, supporters, funders, and other contacts; analyse any significant changes in engagement.
• Enhance the reach and impact of CSAN’s communications, consistent with our editorial standards:
  • Administer our content calendar and obtain materials from authors within publication deadlines.
  • Prepare copy and multimedia content for formation resources, supporter development, news, advocacy, and events, and publish to CSAN’s digital channels.
  • Contribute to CSAN’s social media output.
  • Research content for, and distribute, CSAN’s public e-newsletter and members’ newsletter
• Prepare ad hoc briefings and guidance on policy and practice affecting social mission.
• Contribute to the induction and support of new colleagues and volunteers.
• Keep records and produce management information related to the work above.
• Contribute to a positive team ethos by participating creatively in team meetings and team days, and stepping in when further support is needed.
• Any other duties as required by the line manager that are commensurate with the grade.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Essential:

• Commitment to CSAN’s mission, vision, and values.
• Enthusiasm for the ethos of the Catholic Church and for Catholic Social Teaching, and a desire to learn more.
• Reliable, well organised, willing and able to travel, including occasional evening and weekend meetings, for which time in lieu will be given.
• Resilient and flexible: able to set the pace on tasks; maintain personal stamina; identify and manage risks to delivery.
• Ability and enthusiasm for working as part of a small team on long-term projects. 
• Ability to manage workload on own initiative within a team environment, with multiple and simultaneous priorities.
• Ability to manage staff, volunteers, and consultants.
• Ability to manage projects, including defining an outcome, planning and working within resources to reach goals on time, preparing and monitoring budgets, and analyzing basic statistics.
• Maintain team records of work undertaken and of significant contacts; apply principles of Data Protection, commercial confidentiality, and appropriate information sharing.
• A collaborative working style within the team, particularly in new areas of work; participate in constructive reflection on what we do and how we do it; positively introduce proportionate, agreed change in practice; be clear and courageous in saying ‘no’, delegating and outsourcing non-core activities.
• Interpersonal – relate with empathy and humility to people from any background, by phone, email, and in person, to identify their purpose and motivation; build productive working relationships that sustain goodwill and good use of the resources of stakeholders and team members (staff, ad hoc volunteers, and consultants).
• Able to effectively communicate complex information to a wide variety of audiences, including preparing copy for the range of print and digital channels used by the team and presenting to individuals and groups concisely and effectively.
• Able to maximise own and the team’s effectiveness through efficient use of desktop software.
• Maintain professional knowledge and awareness of developments relevant to our charitable objects, and those affecting the organisation and its stakeholders.
• Service, and where appropriate, take the initiative in or lead task groups and committees.

Desirable:

• Experience in setting up package-based information and communication technologies relevant to course administration, virtual learning platforms, and/or supporter and membership development.
• Experience in implementing knowledge management tools.
• Experience in the evaluation of organisational development.
• Experience of working in a faith-based organisation.
• Graphic design skills.
• Creativity and entrepreneurship to proactively contribute to funding bids, pitches, and appeals.

Required Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience

Compensation & Benefits

• 20 days’ annual leave plus 6 discretionary closure days and public holidays.
• Pension: CSAN offers a defined contribution pension scheme including an annual employer’s contribution of 3% (6% after two years’ service), subject to an employee’s minimum contribution of 3%.
• Other: A laptop and mobile phone for work purposes will be provided.

Working locations

• CSAN office is Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1
• Occasional travel throughout England and Wales, and rare travel overseas.

How to apply

• Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form
• CSAN Application Form
• Please return the form (saved with your name as part of the document’s name) along with your equal opportunities monitoring form to [email protected]
• For informal enquiries about the role, please send questions to [email protected] and include a telephone number for us to make contact.

Interviews

• We cannot offer interview expenses or offer feedback to applicants who were not shortlisted.
• Interview date: w/c Monday 8th December in London

Policies

You’ll be part of a small national team committed to making a difference through faith-inspired social action. We offer a supportive working environment, opportunities for learning and development, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to the Catholic social mission in England and Wales.

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