Community Engagement Officer

The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a diverse network of Christ-like, lively and sustainable Christian communities in every place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and Gods world.Applying for this role is straight forward Scroll down and click on Apply to be considered for this position.The churches of St James, Clifton, St Cuthberts, Herringthorpe, and St Mary Magdalene, Whiston are seeking to appoint a Community Engagement Officer to strengthen their presence, relationships, and participation within local community life.Rooted in a shared vision of welcome, hospitality, safety, and support, this role will help ensure the church is not only open to the community but fully integrated into it, listening to local needs, building partnerships, and enabling creative initiatives that support community cohesion and wellbeing.Inspired by the Church of Englands Five Marks of Mission, the Community Engagement Officer will work at the intersection of faith, service, and community life supporting inclusive activities, nurturing relationships, and creating accessible pathways for people to feel connected, valued, and supported, and for those who wish to explore or deepen their faith as part of the life of the church.Could you walk alongside those in need by bringing practical care and spiritual hope to our vibrant, multi-cultural neighbourhood? Then this role is for you! The Community Engagement Officer role includes: Working with clergy and volunteers to ensure community activities reflect shared values Planning and delivering inclusive community events that promote wellbeing and connection Supporting initiatives such as youth work, intergenerational projects, and cultural events Building partnerships with local schools, community groups, charities, and statutory services Being a visible and welcoming presence within the parishes and identifying local needs Supporting promotion of activities through social media, newsletters, and noticeboards Recording activities and outcomes, and contributing to reports and reviews Recruiting and coordinating volunteers as needed Contributing to parish and Mission Area meetings and mission planning Please note this role may be subject to a Basic DBS check in accordance with Safer Recruitment and Safeguarding provisions.This post is funded by a National Church grant currently until the end of 2028, with the potential for review and extension (subject to funding) to 2031.Regular reviews will take place, though no guarantees can be made.Part-Time, up to 28 hours per week Working Pattern Monday to Thursday with some flexibility for evening and weekends Salary 23,600 (FTE 29,500) 10% employer contribution to pension Generous Holiday Entitlement Location: St James, Clifton, and working collaboratively with St Cuthberts, Herringthorpe, and St Mary Magdalene, Whiston A full vision and an application pack can be found on our website Please send your completed application form to recruitment(AT) Closing date: Monday 2 March 2026 Shortlisting Date: w/c 2 March 2026 Interview: w/c 16 March 2026 For more information on the role please email Rev Caroline Wyman : carolinewyman(AT) or call Or email Alex Shilkoff: alex.shilkoff(AT) JOB TITLE: Community Engagement Officer EMPLOYER: Sheffield Diocesan Board of Finance RESPONSIBLE TO: Oversight Minister (Vicar) Rev Caroline Wyman RESPONSIBLE FOR: n/a HOURS: Up to 28 hours per week The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a diverse network of Christ-like, lively and sustainable Christian communities in every place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and Gods world.MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The Community Engagement Officer will play a key role in developing and strengthening the churches presence and participation in local community life, with the post based primarily at St James, Clifton, and working collaboratively with St Cuthberts, Herringthorpe, and St Mary Magdalene, Whiston.Rooted in the shared vision of the churches to be places of welcome, hospitality, safety, and support, this role exists to help ensure that the church is not only open to the community but actively embedded within it.The postholder will help nurture community cohesion by listening carefully to local needs, building partnerships with local organisations, and enabling creative, responsive initiatives that meet gaps in local provision.The work of the Community Engagement Officer will be shaped by the Church of Englands Five Marks of Mission proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom through presence and relationship; responding to human need by loving service; seeking to transform unjust structures; nurturing new believers; and safeguarding the integrity of creation understood not as abstract principles, but as lived, local commitments.Through community events, collaborative projects, and relationship-building, the role will support the churches mission to serve their neighbourhoods with compassion, inclusivity, and openness, while also helping to create accessible, invitational pathways for those who wish to explore or deepen their faith as part of the life of the church.MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES- Work alongside clergy and church volunteers at St James, St Cuthberts, and St Mary Magdalene to ensure that community activities reflect the churches shared values of hospitality, compassion, and respect- Develop and deliver community events and initiatives that bring people together, promoting inclusion, wellbeing, and neighbourliness.We are open to the successful candidate understanding the context and exploring options.However, some initial ideas that have been discerned are; youth work, a community engagement space with social activities and opportunities for people to access information, food festival, other activities that brings together and celebrates cultures.The role would help deliver these activities through teamwork and partnership networks- Build and maintain partnerships with local organisations identified in the parish profile including local schools, voluntary and charitable organisations, community groups, and statutory services to support collaborative projects such as youth drop-in sessions, intergenerational activities, family support initiatives, and local celebrations- Act as a welcoming and visible presence within the parishes, developing a culture of invitation and helping to identify local needs and opportunities for engagement- Support communication and publicity for community initiatives, including social media, local newsletters, and noticeboards- Keep accurate records of activities, attendance, and outcomes, and contribute to reports for funding and parish review- Recruit and coordinate volunteers where needed for events and projects- Contribute to team meetings and mission action planning as a team member in the parish and wider Mission Area This role description provides a guide to the duties and responsibilities of the post and is not an exhaustive list.The post holder may be asked to undertake any other relevant duties appropriate to the post.The role description will be amended over time, in full consultation with the post holder, to meet the needs of the Diocese.Person Specification: Communtiy Engagement officer CRITERIA Qualifications/Key Attributes Educated to A-level or equivalent Study or qualifications relating to community development and cohesion building Experience Experience of planning and delivering community projects or events Able to work as part of a team as well as taking the initiative Experience of working with young people or vulnerable groups Skills & Knowledge Excellent networking and relationship building skill in order to bring about change Strong organisational skills Strong communication abilities (verbal, written, and social media) Reflection on and evaluating the impact and effectiveness of different activities and be able to adapt accordingly Knowledge of community development and empowerment methodologies / practice Familiarity with local voluntary and statutory services Personal A commitment to inclusivity and community cohesion Sympathetic to the Christian faith and supportive of the mission of the Church of England Ability to work some evenings and weekends as required A practising Christian with a deep-rooted faith Please note this role may be subject to a Basic DBS check in accordance with Safer Recruitment and Safeguarding provisions.For further information, please do not hesitate to contact the HR Team at HR(AT) This is a post which is funded by a grant from the National Church currently up to the end of 2028.There will be further opportunity for us to review and extend the role if further funding is available with the current expectation that this could be until 2031.Regular reviews on this will take place.We have a strong record for applications and grants, but we are not in a position to give guarantees.Our Vision At the heart of St James is a simple but demanding vision: To be a place of welcome, hospitality, safety, and support a place where people of all faiths and none can gather, where community is nurtured, and where gaps in local provision are met with compassion and creativity.We are committed to working collaboratively with local organisations to strengthen community cohesion, to listen carefully to emerging needs, and to allow our mission to remain organic, responsive, and open to change as the community itself changes.Shaped by the Five Marks of Mission Our life and direction at St James are grounded in the Church of Englands Five Marks of Mission :- To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom- To teach, baptise, and nurture new believers -T o respond to human need by loving service- To seek to transform unjust structures of society- To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain the life of the earth In a parish marked by deprivation but rich in people, cultures, and possibility, these marks are not abstract ideals.They are daily work, holy work and work we believe God continues to call St James to share.Parish Profile: St James, Clifton The parish of St James, Clifton sits at the heart of a dense and vibrant urban community in Rotherham, within the Diocese of Sheffield.With a population of just under 15,000 people living within a compact area of 1.2 square miles, Clifton is one of the larger parishes in the diocese and one of the most economically challenged, ranking 71 out of 12,178 parishes nationally for deprivation.Yet statistics only tell part of the story.A young, diverse, and resilient community Clifton is a surprisingly young parish.Nearly a third of the population is under the age of 20, and over half are under 45.This brings energy, creativity, and potential alongside real pressures on families, schools, and local services.Poverty is a daily reality for many: -Around one in three children live in poverty -One in three working-age adults live in poverty -One in three pensioners live in poverty Educational inequality also shapes life here, with over a third of adults having no formal qualifications.These challenges are not abstract they are lived realities affecting housing, health, opportunity, and wellbeing.Clifton is also richly multi-ethnic and multi-faith.Around a third of residents identify as Christian, nearly a quarter as Muslim, and almost a third say they have no religion.There is a significant Romani Slovak population, alongside long-established White British families and communities of Asian, Black, Mixed, and other ethnic backgrounds.This diversity is one of Cliftons greatest strengths, even as it calls for careful work in building trust, understanding, and cohesion.St James: belonging that runs deep Although average Sunday attendance is modest, St James continues to hold deep significance for many local families.In the past twelve months, 44 baptisms have taken place.Many families maintain a strong sense of belonging through historic connections: baptisms, weddings, and funerals of parents and grandparents have shaped a shared memory of the church as a place of meaning and care.We are, by our own admission, a church a little rough around the edges but with a very big heart.Buildings, resources, and opportunity St James is blessed with a substantial church building and a well-used hall including a kitchen, stage, and three additional meeting rooms.These spaces are used regularly by: -A warm room -Drama and music groups -Choirs -Foster carer groups The hall is also hired for one-off events and community use.We are currently developing a business plan to strengthen income generation so that we can cover costs more sustainably and reinvest in local mission and outreach.Over the coming years, we plan to undertake development and repair work to address building issues and sensitively update our spaces.This work will be shaped not only by practicality, but by mission ensuring that our buildings serve the needs of the community and remain welcoming, accessible, and fit for purpose.Schools and partnerships There are five primary schools and one secondary school in the parish.Historically, St James enjoyed strong relationships with the primary schools; while these links have weakened in recent years, we are actively and intentionally rebuilding them, seeing schools as key partners in the life of the community.We also work alongside a range of local organisations, including: -REMA -Flux -Clifton Learning Partnership -Rotherham Minster Social Supermarket -ROAR -The Methodist Church -The United Reformed Church These partnerships are vital signs of hope reminders that the church does not serve alone, but alongside others committed to the flourishing of Clifton.Conclusion: Hope, Calling, and Commitment St James, Clifton stands in a place of real challenge and real possibility.The needs of the parish are complex and often pressing, shaped by poverty, inequality, and social change.Yet this is also a community rich in people, cultures, relationships, and resilience and a place where the church continues to matter deeply.St James is not a church with all the answers, nor a church untouched by struggle.But it is a church rooted in its neighbourhood, trusted by many, and committed to staying, listening, and serving.Its story is woven into the lives of local families across generations, and its buildings, relationships, and worship continue to offer spaces of belonging and care.Looking ahead, the parish is seeking to grow not by retreating from complexity, but by engaging with it faithfully strengthening partnerships, stewarding resources wisely, renewing buildings with purpose, and shaping mission that is responsive, relational, and grounded in prayer.In a parish where the needs are great but the potential is greater still, St James believes it is called to be a steady, hopeful presence: proclaiming good news, offering loving service, working for justice, nurturing faith, and helping to hold the community together. xjdpvnf This is not quick work, nor easy work but it is holy work.And it is work that St James is committed to sharing, trusting that God is already at work in Clifton, and continues to invite the church to join in.

Created: 2026-02-05