Presbytery Support Officer

**The organisation**:
The Uniting Church in Australia is a passionate and diverse Christian church, a community of people who are shaped by Jesus' teaching and example. The church in Queensland includes congregations, faith communities, presbyteries, schools and colleges, early learning centres, hospitals, aged care centres and many expressions of mission and community service. We are a multicultural church, committed to reconciliation with First Peoples and social justice for all, seeking to steward our resources wisely in the furtherance of God’s mission in the world.

The Queensland Synod is the state council of the Uniting Church who come together every 18 months for Synod in Session - a meeting to discern together and make decisions for the management of the Synod.

The Office of the Synod’s purpose is to act upon the discernment of the Synod, to enable, equip and encourage a renewing and growing Church across Queensland. We are mission-driven, service-orientated and relationally focussed.

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**Position purpose**:
The purpose of this role is to provide high quality advice and support related to Queensland Synod Office Functions such as finance, property, compliance, safe church, reporting, people and culture, and general administration. Work as part of a team to effectively and sustainably build knowledge and process capability and capacity in staff, ministry agents, office-bearers and volunteers particularly in congregational and presbytery contexts.

***Key responsibilities**:

- Working collaboratively within the Presbytery Support team to liaise and support the provision of support services across Presbyteries and congregations.
- Act as a point of contact between the presbytery and congregations, committees, and other stakeholders, including the Synod Office, where required.
- Facilitate effective communication within the Presbytery and stakeholders.
- Participate in the review, implementation and evaluation of operational administrative initiatives to align and fulfil the strategic priorities identified within “Flourishing Presbyteries”
- Develop and contribute expertise to the Presbytery Support Team in one or more fields of interest, including safe church, finance, property, compliance risk and general administration
- Build and maintain relationships through which advice and support can be delivered effectively and consistently
- Address, support and navigate conflict arising from the introduction of a new initiatives and changes to ways of working
- Develop and maintain an understanding of all culture elements and values. Embody and continually demonstrate the value-based behaviours by setting a clear clean and consistent example for others.
- Inspire others to perform, build trusting relationships,
- Model the values of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod in day-to-day work including interactions with managers, lay staff, ministry agents, clients and stakeholders.
- Compliance with Queensland Synod policies, procedures and relevant legislation.
- Comply with Health and Safety directions and Public Health directions.
- Undertake other duties as and when directed within the scope of the role and the capabilities of the incumbent.

***Key performance indicators**:

- Increase efficiency of Synod Support Services provided to Presbyteries
- Improve operational administrative processes and procedures between congregations, Presbyteries and the Synod Office that align with strategic priorities
- Improve engagement with stakeholders to deliver effective resolutions to emerging issues through effective communication between the Synod Office and Presbyteries/congregations
- Comply with delegations of the Office of Synod where delegations have been permanently or temporarily assigned to the position.
- Maintain alignment with the Office of Synod purpose, culture and values (values referenced under additional requirements).

**Reporting relationship and delegations**:

- Presbytery Support Manager

Qualifications:

- Minimum Year 12 or equivalent education.
- Certificate III in Business Administration or equivalent (desirable)

Experience and skills:

- A commitment to, and understanding of, the ethos of the Uniting Church in Australia (for a fuller understanding of the ethos of the church, refer to _The Basis of Union_) is adventageous.
- Experienced in service delivery roles in complex church/business environments.
- Proven ability to listen and communicate both orally and written
- Experienced in building relationships, and liaising with multiple stakeholders
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills that include conflict resolution and negotiation
- Knowledge and experienced with Microsoft Office environment including Sharepoint and Teams
- A commitment to working within the purpose and values of the Uniting Church in Australia Queensland Synod and adhering to all policies and processes.

**Additional requirements**:

- Current Driver’s license.
- Suitability Card for Child Rela