Description

As Community Engagement Officer, you will play a key role in growing and strengthening ACN’s community network across Scotland. A central focus of the role will be to recruit, train, equip and support parish appealers, helping to develop and expand a strong and sustainable parish appealer network. To facilitate this process, you will build and strengthen relationships with dioceses, parishes, schools, universities, chaplaincies, religious communities and Catholic organisations; identify opportunities to increase awareness of ACN; encourage participation in campaigns and events; and develop lasting relationships that contribute to the charity’s long-term growth and impact.

This is a varied, outward-facing role suited to someone who enjoys meeting people, developing partnerships and creating opportunities that make a lasting impact.

Why work at Aid to the Church in Need?

ACN is a Catholic charity bringing spiritual and practical help to Christians – especially those who are persecuted for their beliefs. We carry out our mission of reconciliation and love through local Church partners: supporting priests, Sisters and catechists, building churches, providing transport, training seminarians, and providing religious literature and media - as well as supplying emergency aid for Christians struggling to survive or fleeing persecution. ACN also advocates on behalf of suffering Christians denied a voice. Through prayer, information and action we are keeping the Faith alive in a troubled world.

In Scotland, we work closely with dioceses, parishes, schools, religious communities, volunteers and benefactors to inspire solidarity with the suffering and persecuted Church and encourage practical and spiritual support.

Key Responsibilities – Community Engagement

• Attend and participate in Masses, including leading prayer where appropriate.
• Obtain and deliver an agreed number of parish appeals and presentations on behalf of the organisation to respond to changes in appealer availability.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with dioceses, parishes, clergy and lay leaders across Scotland.
• Build partnerships with Catholic schools, universities and chaplaincies delivering school assemblies as required.
• Support the development and growth of the appealer programme by identifying new opportunities, appealers, and parish partnerships.
• Encourage participation in ACN’s campaigns, appeals and events.

Key Responsibilities – Relationship Development

• Identify new opportunities to introduce ACN to communities across Scotland
• Recruit and support volunteers and benefactor engagement
• Represent ACN at meetings, conferences and events.

Expectations

• Manage workload effectively, ensuring agreed objectives are achieved.
• Build and maintain data of all parishes and individuals to build better ongoing relationships with stakeholders
• Comply with data protection legislation and act responsibly on matter of data disclosure, both internally and to third parties
• Professionally and positively represent the organisation at all times
• Support organisation-wide initiatives to facilitate cross-team working
• Proactively contribute to the effectiveness of meetings, knowledge sharing and staff development
• Contribute to the delivery of ACN’s strategic objectives
• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and for that of others who might be affected by their work, as required by law and described in the relevant operating procedures and policies
• Undertake any other duties and reasonable requests that are in keeping with the nature of this post

Person Specification

Essential

• In-depth knowledge of the Catholic Church and its structures, especially in Scotland.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to engage a wide range of audiences.
• Experience of building partnerships or engaging communities.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to work.
• Attendance at the Scottish Office minimally twice per week, on a Wednesday, and at other times as directed by your manager.
• Flexibility to attend evening and weekend work as required.
• Ability to travel throughout Scotland with a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Desirable

• Experience working with volunteers or community groups.
• Experience working with schools, universities or parish communities.
• Experience in the charity, education or community engagement sectors.
• Experience using CRM databases.