30k Formation and Training Lead

Based within the Ministry Development Team's Lay Ministries Team, the 30k Project Training and Formation Lead will play a key role in developing a new generation of Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) ministers. Working with dioceses, theological education institutions and national partners you'll provide spiritual, theological and practical leadership of national Christian training and formation initiatives, strengthen pathways into Christian ministry and connect vocation, volunteering and learning opportunities, including through the JOIN campaign which aims to recruit and equip 27,000 volunteer CYPF ministers for Christian mission and ministry. You'll also provide expert spiritual, theological and practical insight to shape strategy, policy and best practice across the Church, helping to deliver the Church of England's vision to equip 30,000 new ministers for mission and ministry by 2030.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Leading the strategic development of Christian training, formation and vocational pathways to equip CYPF ministers for mission and ministry across the Church of England.

• Embedding safeguarding best practice across all CYPF training and formation initiatives.

• Building partnerships that support Christian formation and ministry with dioceses, theological education institutions, training providers and other stakeholders.

• Representing the Church of England's theology and vision for CYPF ministry in engagement with dioceses, theological education institutions and partner organisations

• Convening national CYPF mission and ministry training provider networks to foster collaboration and share best practice.

• Overseeing the allocation, monitoring and evaluation of CYPF training and formation grants, including assessing training, formation and grant-funded initiatives against the Church of England's vision, theology and understanding of Christian mission and ministry.

• Supporting the development and delivery of the JOIN campaign, linking volunteering, vocation and ministry pathways.

• Providing specialist spiritual, theological and practical expertise to inform national strategy, policy and workforce development for CYPF mission and ministry.

• Making a significant contribution to developing theology, thought leadership and resources to equip CYPF ministers.

• Reporting to the 30k Project Board on progress, outcomes, risks and opportunities.

Through this work, you will help shape the future of CYPF mission and ministry in the Church of England, supporting the development of a growing, diverse and sustainable workforce that enables more children, young people and families to encounter and follow Jesus.

This role description outlines the main responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. Duties may evolve over time to reflect the needs of the 30k Project and Ministry Development Team. Any changes will be reasonable, consistent with the level of the role and agreed through consultation.

The closing date - 14th September at 23:55.

• A passionate advocate for Christian Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) mission and ministry, with the ability to inspire others to explore and respond to vocational opportunities.

• Significant experience of Christian CYPF mission and ministry within the Church of England or a comparable denomination.

• A good understanding of Christian vocation, discipleship, ministry development and lay ministry within the Church of England.

• Experience of developing and leading Christian training, formation and leadership development programmes.

• Experience of working strategically with churches, dioceses, theological education institutions and other partners to support the mission and ministry of the Church.

• Excellent relationship-building, influencing and communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.

• Experience of managing projects, programmes or grant funding, including monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.

• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to translate vision into practical plans and measurable outcomes.

• Knowledge of Church of England structures, ministerial formation frameworks and vocational pathways.

• Experience of contributing to theological reflection, research, policy development or thought leadership.

• A strong commitment to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.

• Theological training and/or a relevant Christian ministry qualification.

• There is a Genuine Occupational Requirement under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 for the postholder to be a practising Christian. The postholder provides Christian leadership and theological guidance, contributes to theological reflection and policy development, exercises theological judgement in the design, evaluation and oversight of training and formation pathways, and helps shape the Church of England's approach to CYPF mission and ministry nationally. These functions require the postholder personally to profess and practise the Christian faith.