National Vocations & Discernment Adviser

The National Vocations and Discernment Advisers play a key role in developing the ministers and leaders needed for the Church of England’s mission, nurturing both lay and ordained vocations. Working within the Ministry Development Team, the postholders partner with dioceses and local churches to strengthen vocation and discernment pathways, so that people can be supported from initial enquiry through to formal discernment.

The roles combine vocations and discernment responsibilities throughout the year, with a stronger emphasis on vocations activity between August and January, including encouraging, resourcing and supporting diocesan vocations work. From February to July, the focus shifts increasingly towards being a Panel Secretary in the national Shared Discernment Process.

Please note: We are recruiting for two National Vocations and Discernment Adviser positions.

The discernment part of the role has the same responsibilities for each post. The vocations part of the role has some responsibilities shared in common. Alongside these, one post will focus on the responsibilities set out in Role A in the Role profile and the other role will focus on the responsibilities set out in Role B.

When submitting your application, please indicate whether you wish to be considered for Role A or Role B in the vocations part of the post and clearly state your preference in the About You Section of the application.

This role will be split evenly but flexibly between supporting dioceses to nurture new lay and ordained vocations and supporting the shared discernment process, particularly in the role of Panel Secretary.

Vocations – Shared Responsibilities

Play a leading role in supporting the renewal of lay and ordained vocations for dioceses and parishes by:

• Supporting the development of strategic capacity among Diocesan Directors of Vocations (DDVs) and Ordinands (DDOs) and their diocesan teams to sustain growth in lay and ordained vocations.
• Providing theological and spiritual advice, guidance and consultancy to dioceses on vocation and discernment matters.

Vocations – Specific Responsibilities

Role A: An emphasis on vocational engagement and growth

Providing focal leadership for

• the ongoing development of the ‘What’s your part in God’s story?’ lay and ordained vocations campaign.
• the development and delivery of lay and ordained vocations short courses and other materials for parishes and dioceses.
• promotion of vocations to lay ministries, working in partnership with the Lay Ministries team and the 30k Project Team.
• national vocations events including the national Vocations consultation and the Church of England’s presence at Christian Festivals and General Synod, working in partnership with the 30k Project team and others.

Role B: an emphasis on vocational practice and context 

Providing focal leadership for

• the development and delivery of good practice guides for parishes and dioceses.
• the design and delivery of high quality and effective training and development programmes for DDVs and DDOs and others involved in vocations.
• the content of the vocations and discernment sections of the national Church of England website.
• the interpretation and application of vocations statistics and wider ministry data, working in close partnership with the Data Services team (especially the Ministry Data Analyst).

Discernment – all shared responsibilities

Regularly act as Panel Secretary, leading Stage 1 (primarily online) and Stage 2 (residential) panels within the national Shared Discernment Process, supporting Bishops in the prayerful assessment candidates for ordained ministry. This includes:

• Working with Discernment Support colleagues to ensure the completion and quality assurance of pre-panel documentation.
• Prayerfully advise, support and mentor Bishops’ Advisers in the discernment of candidates and decision-making processes.
• Coordinating and overseeing assigned panels, ensuring their efficient and effective operation.
• Leading worship and contribute addresses (homilies) as part of the panel programme.
• Editing and preparing candidate reports for Bishops, and provide feedback to Bishops and Diocesan Directors of Ordinands (DDOs).
• Ensuring all post-panel records, reports and documentation are completed accurately and retained securely.
• Promoting consistent application of the Qualities for Discernment across all panel processes.

Actively support the work of the Candidates Panel and contribute to its effective operation.

Collaborate with the Discernment Support Team on the implementation and effective use of administrative processes and digital systems that support national vocations and discernment work.

In exercising all of their responsibilities, the post holder will work in close, open and collaborative relationships with other vocations and discernment colleagues in the Ministry Development Team.

Skills & Abilities

• Able to bring a rich breadth and depth of Christian theology, ecclesiology and spirituality to the work of discernment, showing a capacity to engage reflectively with the diverse traditions of the Church of England.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to influence, mentor and support a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex processes.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, nuanced and well-judged reports and proposals.
• Ability to facilitate meetings, training and discussions, including presenting to diverse audiences.
• Good digital and IT skills, including proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and online collaboration platforms.

Knowledge/Experience

• A fruitful track record of nurturing lay and/or ordained vocations.
• Knowledge of good practice in vocational development and discernment processes.
• Substantial understanding of and experience within the ministry and structures of the Church of England.
• Proven ability to build effective partnerships and work collaboratively within teams and across organisations.
• Ability to work confidently through change, supporting the implementation and development of new processes.

Personal Attributes

• High levels of emotional intelligence, self-awareness and resilience, with the ability to navigate difference, conflict and complex relationships.
• Be willing and able to travel extensively within England, including regular attendance at residential events away from home.
• The role involves leading worship, contributing theological reflection, supporting the Church's prayerful discernment of vocation and advising bishops and diocesan officers on matters of ministry and discernment. The postholder must therefore be able to participate authentically in the faith, worship and ministry of the Church of England.
• In accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the postholder be a communicant member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with it.