Could you oversee the delivery of our strategy for Focal Ministry in Sussex?

Following a successful Diocesan Investment Programme bid and funding from the National Church of England we are seeking a Focal Ministry Officer to help develop, equip and grow Focal Ministry across the diocese.

Focal Ministers are an exciting new model of church leadership and key to our Diocesan Growth Strategy. Following a period of training they will be appointed to be ‘the face of the church’ locally – providing leadership and a consistent presence in their communities, under the oversight of the incumbent of the benefice.

As Focal Ministry Officer you will provide strategic leadership of the Focal Ministry programme and work with the Apostolic Life team to lead our mission and ministry across Sussex to live out our vision to “Know, Love and Follow Jesus”.

The principal duties include:

• To promote and develop the Focal Ministry programme with clergy, parishes and congregations
• To work with the Officer for Lay Ministry and Training to develop training programmes for Focal Ministers
• To facilitate training and support networks for Focal Ministers to help share learning, good practise and celebration stories
• To oversee the running of the Focal Ministry Project Board and ensure that the project is monitored and measured and that data and learning is used to inform to develop the service

Our ideal candidate will:

• An ordained Deacon or Priest in the Church of England
• Have the ability to lead people and teams and work supportively with those working and worshipping across a range of traditions in the Church of England
• Have the skills and ability to develop course material and teach and facilitate training programmes
• Be able to project manage, work within budgets and analyse data to provide feedback and evaluation
• Have the enthusiasm and self-motivation to lead and inspire others to grow their gifts and talents

For full details of the job please see the job description and person specification.

What we offer:

• A salary equivalent to a half time stipend, £16,350 per annum, for 18.5 hours per week.

• Flexitime and the opportunity to apply to use the DBF’s remote working policy to work from home for part of the week.
• A 0.5 pro-rata equivalent of 28 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays and two privilege days per year.

• Membership of the Clergy Pension Scheme (for existing members) or Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with a generous 15.1% employer contribution and an employee contribution between 0-6%.
• Free parking, and the ride to work scheme and development opportunities

The post will involve occasional work at weekends.

Chichester DBF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment and to comply with the relevant safeguarding policy. Our full safeguarding policy can be found here.

This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check and completion of the Church of England Confidential Declaration Form.To understand how the information you supply in your Confidential Declaration Form is used and your rights with respect to that data please read ourprivacy notice.

Please note this is post to which a Genuine Occupational Requirement under paragraph 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act applies, the requirement being that the post holder is ordained in the Church of England.

For an information conversation about the role please contact the Director for Apostolic Life, The Revd Canon Rebecca Swyer (Rebecca.swyer@chichester.anglican.org).

Please complete the application form and return it to recruitment@chichester.anglican.org by midnight on 7^th September 2025.

Interviews will be held at Church House, Hove on 22^nd September 2025.   

For more information the Diocese of Chichester please visit https://www.chichester.anglican.org/