Communications Officer
posted 1 week ago

Description

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The Bishop of New Westminster seeks to appoint a Communications Officer for the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster. This is a full-time position, housed at the Synod Office: 1410 Nanton Street, Vancouver, BC.

About the Diocese of New Westminster:

The Diocese is the encompassing body for the Anglican churches across the Lower Mainland. It is dedicated to serving the spiritual and missional needs of its diverse parishes and members. Committed to ardent worship, congregational vitality, and the pursuit of justice, including: climate justice, indigenous justice, and community engagement, the diocese is seeking a Communications Officer to help shape its narrative and promote its values in pursuit of its mission: “Growing communities of faith in Jesus Christ to serve God’s mission in the world.”

Position Summary:

The Communications Officer for the Diocese of New Westminster assists the Diocesan leadership in shaping and amplifying the narrative around congregational vitality and a commitment to social justice issues within the diocese. They achieve this by crafting compelling stories and supporting the diocesan bishop in articulating God’s mission and vision for the church in this place, as well as empowering parishes and clergy in their ministry. By envisioning and executing a comprehensive communication strategy, this role ensures that diocesan priorities, values, goals, and messages are effectively conveyed both internally and externally.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Narrative Development

• Craft compelling stories that highlight the positive impact of diocesan & parish vitality.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to identify and promote initiatives that reflect the diocesan values.
• Ensure consistency across platforms to reflect diocesan ethos, values, and needs.

2. Maintenance and Development of Strategic Communications Vehicles

• Manage existing communications vehicles:
  • Print media, online newsletter, website, social media
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current communications vehicles with a view to improving and adapting.
• Collaborate with diocesan leadership to develop a long-term vision for diocesan communication, identifying emerging trends and technologies that can enhance outreach and engagement.

3. Departmental Support

• Assist the bishop in communicating sermons and messages throughout the diocese.
• Engage with parishes, clergy, and other stakeholders to foster unity and cooperation.
• Collaborate with the Mission and Ministry Development Department to create communication strategies that inform and engage parish leaders in various areas.
• Collaborate with those responsible for the development of training materials and resources that empower parishes in their ministry and outreach efforts.
• Promote collaboration and knowledge sharing among parishes within the diocese.
• Assist the Finance Department in communicating diocesan financial policies and best practices to parish leaders and clergy.
• Advise parishes developing communications materials that advance their mission.
• Foster a collaborative and creative work environment that encourages innovation and excellence in communication.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.
• Native fluency in English language with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the values and mission of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Diocese of New Westminster.
• Experience in strategic communications and media.
• Skill in writing, public speaking, and working within a creative environment.
• Proficiency in communications software: Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and other video and audio editing software.
• A minimum of 2 years working in communications and faith communities.
• Driver’s license and vehicle access are essential.

Working conditions and Hours of Work:

• Standard office conditions are the norm, though flexibility for off-site work required. Office includes standard work station and equipment supplied including telephone, computer, internet, photocopier, software, photography equipment.
• Standard Office Hours are the norm, though flexibility for work on evenings and weekends is required. Time worked outside of regular office hours is expected to be reclaimed during the work week.
• Standard expectation is that this is an in-person position with the possibility of negotiating occasional remote work after a 3-month probationary period.
• The position involves regular local travel for which access to a vehicle is necessary, as well as once-per-year national travel (mileage & travel is compensated).

Physical requirements:

Standard office conditions: long hours sitting and using computers/other office equipment. Light lifting of supplies and materials from time to time. Meeting set-up including moving tables, chairs, etc. from time to time. Limited mobility in church spaces for photography is required.

Ways of Working or Working Standards:

• The Communications Officer is required to remain current on Criminal Records Check – Vulnerable Sector, as well as Diocesan Dismantling Racism Training and Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training.
• Collaborative team environment working with Synod Staff, clergy, and lay leaders.
• This position is often privy to highly sensitive material. Absolute discretion, adherence to privacy rules and confidentiality are working standards.
• This position reports to the Executive Archdeacon

Applications for this position will be received until close of business on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024.

Please email a cover letter, a current C.V. or resumé, and 3 references to the Diocesan Archdeacon, The Ven. Nick Pang.

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