Historic England: Community Development Advisers: Taylor Review Pilot

Refs: 8556/8554

Join Historic England and be a part of an exciting Pilot project focussed on delivering and evaluating the maintenance and community engagement of listed places of worship. This is both a practical project to help those who care for places of worship, and a research project that will provide evidence to inform how resources are focussed in the future.

As the public body that champions England`s historic environment, we help people understand, value and care for a diverse range of cultural records from the stone-age to the contemporary.

This Pilot project follows recommendations in the recent Taylor Review to test approaches to the maintenance, repair and community engagement of listed places of worship in two areas -Manchester and Suffolk. We are working closely with DCMS to deliver and evaluate the impact of a series of community engagement initiatives focussed on the maintenance and conservation advice, plus a minor repairs fund.

As a key member of the project team you will work closely with community faith groups, helping them to explore local opportunities to use their place of worship – strengthening relationships with individuals and organisations willing to support the building or use it for wider community activities. You will also advise on ways of establishing support groups, such as Friends or maintenance volunteers and potential income generation initiatives.

You will work closely with the rest of the Taylor Pilot team, as well as colleagues around Historic England to support and engage with different faith groups. You will be sensitive and diplomatic, with the ability to both plan and deliver community engagement initiatives whilst fully respecting diverse traditions and cultures. You will have worked on similar projects or community engagement programmes before and will have an understanding of the issues faced by those who care for places of worship. You will also have knowledge of funding streams and grant programmes and experience with income generating initiatives. With enthusiasm and passion for the historic environment, you will be committed to the success of this project.

This is a great opportunity to work with a dynamic project team and contribute actively to delivering positive change for specific listed places of worship and their communities. At the same time you will be contributing to a wider research programme that may have national impact in the future. We also offer a wide benefits package including a competitive pension scheme, 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites as well as the flexibility in your working day that creates a strong work-life balance.

This role will require travel and some out of hours working and is a fixed term position until 31 March 2020.

Closing date: 17 June 2018.

Click here to apply https://historicengland.org.uk/about/jobs/vacancies/