Lancaster University

Anglican Chaplain to Lancaster University

Recruitment Pack

1. Job Description

Reporting to: Head of Children, Youth and Chaplaincy at the Board of Education & Lead Chaplain at Lancaster University

2. Purpose of the Role

This role is an invitation to join the Lancaster University Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Team. The primary responsibility will be to serve as a hospitable Christian presence in both word and action, signposting and networking those of faith and no faith. Operating out of the main Chaplaincy Centre, the Anglican Chaplain will proactively engage the wider university by offering a Christian presence across all areas of campus and connections in the city of Lancaster.

Interfaith cooperation is at the heart of the ‘Chaplaincy Team’ which comprises a number of ‘Honorary Chaplains’ from across the faith traditions, in which the Anglican Chaplain will serve as a senior member.

The Anglican Chaplain will journey alongside staff and students to deepen their Christian faith and pursue their vocational calling. Part of this will be the leadership of an emerging and committed worshipping Christian community of staff and students which meets weekly in the Chaplaincy, in partnership with the Lead Chaplain.

3. Key Responsibilities

• Lead the provision of Anglican Christian ministry within Lancaster University

Engage in holistic mission, including by providing pastoral care to staff and students of all faiths and none and signposting to specialist University services as necessary.

Nurture and support links with Christian organisations, especially student-led Christian associations operating through the Lancaster University Students’ Union, hearing the student voice and developing services that is responsive to their needs.

Support the Christian vocational development of Lancaster University staff and students.

Work collaboratively as part Lancaster Chaplaincy Team which sits within the wider Student Wellbeing Services teams signposting to advice and guidance for staff members in their mission to support student mental health and wellbeing.

• Foster & grow the on-campus Worshipping Community with the Lead Chaplain.

Support the University priorities through participation eg in Graduations, student celebrations, Freshers’ Week, Carol services, Graduations, Student & Staff bereavements support, Student & Staff death

Supporting the work of the wider Chaplaincy team in planning, development and reflection

Undertake memorial services and the offices of funerals and weddings as required

An active member of local and regional chaplains in the higher education community, sharing good practice and evaluating interventions for adoption at Lancaster University.

• An active member of the Lancaster University Chaplaincy Team

Abiding by all University policies and training with respect to issues such as Prevent, Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Mental Health Awareness

There is so much scope for ministry on campus that the balance of the role can be shaped round the passions and gifts of the person recruited.

Offer collegial support to the Anglican Chaplain at the University of Cumbria at their Lancaster campus, who in turn will reciprocate their support to you.

4. Key Relationships

Church/External

Head of Children, Youth and Chaplaincy in the Board of Education who will be the Chaplain’s line manager within Blackburn Diocese

• The Bishop of Lancaster, who is the Episcopal Lead for University Chaplaincy.

• The Anglican Chaplain to the University of Cumbria

Chaplains in the local and regional Higher Education community

University

The Lead Chaplain of Lancaster University who will be the Chaplain’s Line manager within Lancaster University

The University of Lancaster’s Associate Director of Student Wellbeing Services, who oversees Chaplaincy within the University.

Person Specification

(1) Genuine Occupational Requirement

There is an occupational requirement for the post-holder to be a practising Christian, and a member of the Anglican Church, in accordance with Schedule 9 to the Equality Act 2010.

(2) Enhanced DBS

This post will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

(3) Qualifications

Essential

• An Anglican Priest

Completion of a pre and post ordination theological training programme within a Church of England context.

Evidence of continuing professional and self-development.

Desirable

• A degree or equivalent in Christian theology and ministry.

(4) Experience

Essential

• A Priest of good standing who takes genuine delight in their own call to service and lives it out in a way that can be a role model to others.

• Some experience (e.g. a placement) of chaplaincy in an educational setting.

Desirable

Experience of being employed as a chaplain in an educational setting, especially as a University Chaplain

Experience of providing pastoral care to clients/students living away from home, parents or social networks

Experience of providing bereavement support and/or leading memorial services to support bereaved staff/students and friends

(5) Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to network, collaborate and readily build trust with a diverse range of people and organisations to create communities with a shared purpose

• Able to exercise a high degree of personal initiative in organising their own work

• Ability to organise and publicise events and programmes.

Well-developed administrative skills

• A good working knowledge of Microsoft IT packages such as teams, Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

Desirable

• A well-developed understanding of the contemporary higher education sector and challenges facing students and staff in their daily lives.

(6) Personal

Essential

A person who is loyal to the inheritance of faith revealed in the Scriptures, who is excited by the Gospel and articulate in communicating the saving news of God in Jesus Christ.

A person of prayer who is serious and disciplined about their own formation in Christ.

Someone who takes real delight in the breadth of the Church of England with a genuine appreciation of the Five Guiding Principles and the willingness to work in diverse cultural and theological contexts.

A person who can flourish in an Anglican worship setting, is secure in their own tradition and willing to work beyond it to support staff and students of other faith background and traditions and none.

Someone who can play a constructive role as part of a wider parish and multifaith chaplaincy team.

• A team player who displays advanced relational and emotional intelligence and can work well with those they differ from.

• An enthusiast who can inspire others.

• A heart for Christian service and hard work.

(7) Other

Essential

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends with appropriate notice

Willing to travel both within the Diocese and beyond.

• Full Driving licence and use of car for work purpose.

5. Outline of Terms and Conditions

Employer: You will be employed by the Blackburn Diocese Board of Education

Salary: £31,031 per annum

Hours: This is a part-time role based on a 35-hour (5 day) working week, but the post holder may be required to work additional hours as to meet the reasonable requirements of the role.

Location: The post holder will be based at the University of Lancaster, with office base provided. The nature of the role requires occasional travel around the diocese, and sometimes beyond. A smartphone and laptop can be provided to assist remote working.

Pension: Pension Scheme,10% employer contribution 2% minimum employee contribution. Membership of the Clergy pension scheme is available via a salary sacrifice.

Annual leave: The full-time entitlement is 36 days. The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Probationary period: The appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a sixmonth probationary period.

Notice Period: During the six-month probationary period two weeks’ notice is required on either party. Thereafter you will be required to give three months’ notice should you wish to resign.

Expenses: The role holder is entitled to claim for all reasonable expenses. This does not include travelling to the base of work but does include any excess travel to other locations above the normal home to base of work mileage.

Relationship with the University: It is a condition of employment that the Chaplain retains the good will of the University to perform their duties.

Right to work: The post-holder must have the right to reside and work in the UK.

6. How to Apply

Applications will be invited by applying via the Blackburn Diocese website vacancy page at General vacancies | The Diocese of Blackburn

Deadline: 8th June 2026 Interviews: 19th June 2026 – all interviews will be in person.

For informal conversation about the role please contact: Rev John Rogers (07483 952175 or j.e.rogers@lancaster.ac.uk) or Rev. Craig Abbott (07503673748 or craig.abbott@blackburn.anglican.org)