Part time 15-20 hours per week, salary pro rata

Help to drive and implement policy on marriage, family, life issues and religious freedom for Australia’s Catholic bishops. This is a challenging position to help coordinate information and advice for bishops and to ensure decisions are fulfilled. Work with a great team who provide support for the bishops to advance the common good.

The Executive Secretary will provide secretariat support to the Bishops Commission for Life, Family and Public Engagement to nationally address issues related to the mandate for the bishops commission. The Executive Secretary will work in close collaboration with the other Canberra-based Executive Secretaries in the provision of this support, which is to cover absences and assist during times of increased activity.

The role

• Provide secretariat support to the bishops commission through timely and relevant meeting agenda papers, reports and minutes.
• Uphold, in consultation with key stakeholders, the mandate and operating principles of the bishops commission and its advisory bodies, for the approval and adoption of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
• Coordinate planning of the works of the commission in consultation with key stakeholders to ensure achievable work flows.
• Manage the finances of the bishops commission by good stewardship of budget funds and by adhering to approved expenditure budgets.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with agencies of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and where applicable, external Catholic entities, that can contribute to the work of the bishops commission and its advisory bodies.
• Undertake and manage projects that the bishops commission has approved from time to time.

About You

• An understanding of and a commitment to promote the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and Gospel values within the workplace.
• Strong awareness and understanding of the issues impacting the participation of the faithful in the life of the Church.
• Strong awareness and understanding of the political, social, demographic, theological and moral issues concerning the life and mission of the Church in Australia.
• Demonstrated experience in working independently with minimal supervision and in working within a defined expenditure budget.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully working collaboratively within large and small teams.
• Proven ability in planning, designing, leading and undertaking project work.
• Excellent electronic, oral and written communication skills, and demonstrated experience in the use of the Microsoft Windows operating environment and the Microsoft 365 software suite.
• Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
• An understanding of the Church structures, relationships and organisational attributes of pastoral life and ministry.

For a copy of the position description or any other enquiries regarding this role please contact [email protected].

How to apply

Please click on “find out more” to submit a current resume along with a cover letter demonstrating your knowledge, skills and experience as aligned to the dot points in the “About You” section above.

Applications close at Midnight Sunday 17 November 2024

About Us

The Catholic Church in Australia is served by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (the Conference), the permanent collegial assembly of the Bishops of Australia.

The General Secretariat exists to support the work of the Bishops Conference, which meets twice each year but is a permanent institution that operates between plenary meetings through the Permanent Committee and bishop’s commissions.

The Mission and Values of the Catholic Church of Australia are that work is for people, not people for work. Our Vision is that through work, individuals contribute to the common good and achieve fulfilment as human beings. The Church teaches that employees and employers are regarded as partners in their place of work and their respective roles. Mutual respect, esteem, and goodwill underpin the relationship between the employer and the employee. Employees are encouraged and enabled to see their work not merely as a source of income but as providing a service and a benefit to others in society.

Benefits

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is an equal employment opportunity employer and promotes and supports a family-friendly workplace, including flexible work options such as:

• Free onsite parking in Braddon
• Hybrid work-from-home options along with other flexibility provisions are available through our flexible work policy
• Generous leave provisions including:

1. additional Christmas leave
2. 14 weeks of paid parental leave
3. study support and leave
4. paid retreat and formation leave

Additional Information for Applicants

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is an inclusive workplace and encourages applications from people from diverse backgrounds, we are an equal employment opportunity employer and promote and support a family friendly workplace. The successful applicant must be eligible to work in Australia and may be required to provide a Working with Children Check or a suitable Police Check as part of the recruitment process.

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference respects your privacy. In applying for this position, you will be providing the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference with personal including sensitive information. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference regards its child protection responsibilities with the utmost importance. Our privacy collection notice and Policy and Safeguarding Policy can be obtained by visiting www.catholic.au.