JOB PROFILE: Development Worker (General)

Ministry Area / Department
Mission Development / Regional & Residential
Objective / Purpose of the Department
To fulfil the mission of Scripture Union within the region:to pioneer and create opportunities for children and young people to explore the Bible, respond to Jesus, grow in faith and become sharers of the good news of Jesus themselves. Our priority is to reach those who don’t yet know Jesus.
Objective / Purpose of the Job
To provide leadership, direction and energy to Scripture Union’s Regional Ministry, in particular establishing new and sustainable ministry opportunities.As a result of that to recruit, motivate, train, equip and support a larger number of volunteers with whom they work in partnership as well as leading by example through the modelling of the provision of excellent mission delivery to children and young people consistent with Scripture Union’s mission.
“Because we loved you so much we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of Christ but our lives as well”.
1 Thes 2:8.
Dimensions and Quantities
Above all, the Development Worker is a strategic thinker and will have solid judgment of ministry impact. They will have considerable insight into ministry with children and young people, are passionate advocates, excellent practitioners and capable communicators. They influence networks, shape opinion, challenge inertia and inspire creativity. They are self-disciplined, able to organize and prioritise their own workload and manage multiple projects. A Development Worker is able to visualise and work towards long-term goals.
The Development Worker is also someone who is open to and comfortable with different traditions, styles and expression of spirituality, prayer and worship and has a growing familiarity with and understanding of the Bible. They have a total commitment to God and are a Christian disciple.
The Development Worker is responsible for protecting children and young people from all forms of abuse and to report any disclosures of abuse in addition to suspicions or concerns.
The Development Worker is jointly responsible, with the regional team, for the ministry of Scripture Union. Together they will:
  • Shape the strategic direction of ministry delivery according to identified needs
  • Define, develop and promote the distinctiveness of the Movement
  • Pioneer, lead and support face-to-face mission with children and young people on a range of Scripture Union holiday and mission events
  • Identify and implement means of sustainability through funding for ministry and activities
  • Maximise the use of resources, both within and without the Movement
  • Train and equip people with the means and methods of engaging with the mission of the movement
  • Grow local mission partnerships and other strategic initiatives, such as sports mission and children’s Bible engagement (Guardians of Ancora)
The Development Worker reports to the Regional Team Leader and will have a responsibility to establish and grow Scripture Union’s mission in the designated area, developing ministry which is effective and sustainable. This will include the forging of formal and informal partnerships; direct delivery of mission to children and young people who don’t yet know Jesus; growing local community mission in its broadest sense; and facilitating the growth of Christian Groups in schools.
The Development Worker will work closely with regional team colleagues within the regional team. An outline of the specialisms is include below in brackets. The General Development Worker will normally be expected to concentrate on developing, and making sustainable, new opportunities for ministries in strategic locations within the region.
(Church / Community / To grow local community mission in its broadest sense and to oversee major initiatives that have a church-based focus within the local area (including X:site). With an average of 3,000 churches in each region, this individual will have the ability to devise and implement a suitable strategy for this work.
Schools / To grow Christian Groups in schools by encouraging and supporting volunteer leaders, and to oversee major initiatives that have a schools’ focus within the local area (including Lifepath). With an average of 2,000 primary and 400 secondary schools in each region, the Development Worker will have the ability to devise and implement a suitable strategy for this work.)
Key Activities / Accountabilities
Strategy
  • Shape the strategic direction of ministry for their specialism across the whole region according to identified needs
  • Research contemporary ways in which to deliver effective and fruitful ministry
  • Maximise the use of resources to make the greatest impact across the region
  • Think, contribute and participate as a team player within a geographically dispersed team
Ministry Development
  • Develop locally led ministry through the recruitment and equipping of volunteers
  • Create and support locally developed models of ministry that can be adapted for a broader audience
  • Act as a consultant and trainer for local and specialist ministry
  • Identify opportunities and needs for, and support the developmentof, local trusts and partnerships
  • Fundraising to enable ministry to be sustained and developed
  • Leading by example through the modelling of the provision of excellent mission delivery to children and young people consistent with Scripture Union’s mission
Advocacy
  • Define, develop and promote the distinctiveness of the Scripture Union Movement
Networking
  • Network with other agencies to create ministry that surpasses possibilities of lone activity
  • Identify creative methods of managing and developing ministry in a dispersed community
  • Develop appropriate partnerships to increase reach and make best use of resources

In common with all members of staff:

  • Further the aims and objectives of Scripture Union, working in accordance with its ethos
  • Participate in the prayer life and fellowship of Scripture Union, including staff prayers, team/group prayer meetings, staff days of prayer and worship and residential staff conferences, which combine prayer, worship and strategy
  • Undertake personal development through study and reflection and participate in Scripture Union's staff development process, including annual work reviews, supervision and in-service training as agreed
  • Participate in other Scripture Union activities arranged centrally or by other areas of the movement where appropriate

Adverse Working Conditions
The role brings with it the need to travel often taking resources, so the ability to drive and take a car is preferred. There is also a need to work unsociable hours. Occasional time will be spent away from the usual place of work to partake in residential meetings.The role is likely to be home-based.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Educational and / or Training Qualifications & Certificates
Desirable:
  • Degree-level Theological or Educational qualification; equivalent experience will be considered.

Preferred Experience and Knowledge
Essential:
  • *A committed Christian with a heart for the ministry of Scripture Union and in agreement with its aims and beliefs.
  • Active in church life
  • An ability to further mission among children and young people
  • A proven track record in training others
  • Confidence to work and communicate with people at all ages, backgrounds and levels
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • An ability to work collaboratively
  • An ability to take initiative and organise / delegate tasks effectively
  • Strong people and communication skills
Desirable:
  • An understanding of issues in theology and biblical interpretation
  • A broad knowledge of the issues, developments, trends and styles of different churches across the UK
  • An understanding of the English schools system
  • A proven track record of developing new ideas
  • Development of sustainable local ministry methods
* Occupational Requirement (OR)
Necessary Technical / Functional Skills
  • Ability to identify potential volunteers with a view to gaining trust and cooperation
  • Ability to support and/or lead as a means to empower others and grow ministry
  • Ability to identify and positively harness networking opportunities
  • Proactive capability to fundraise at local and area levels
  • Critical awareness of the implications of developing culture in terms of how to best equip people
  • Ability to identify the needs in any given context and draw from various available means to address them

Required Behavioural Competencies
Commitment to goals & values / Shows commitment in theory and practice to the objectives, values and goals of the movement.
Strategic thinking / Envisions future long-term direction. Identifies a strategy to bring about the vision with a realistic approach to context. Ensures consistency of short-term actions with long-term goals
Concern for impact / Anticipates and responds to the needs of others in order to achieve the required outcome. Develops and modifies approach to reflect the feelings, views and concerns of others in order to influence
Strategic influencing / Consciously considers different forms and sources of influencing and chooses between different strategies to impact long-term positive change to the movement
Results Focus / Sets challenging yet realistic goals and objectives, focusing energy into striving to achieve them within agreed timescale.
Thoroughness / Follows tasks through to completion with attention to detail and accuracy.

Profile completed by: Mission Development Director

Manager
Name: Keren Mallinson
Signature: / HR Officer
Name: Adelaide Nketsia
Signature: / Stakeholder
Name:
Signature:
Date of last profile update: 21 June 2016
Date of current update:April 2017