Programme Leader

Recruitment PackProgramme LeaderNottingham Diocesan Catholic Youth ServiceClosing Date for Applications:  30 April 2026thInterviews to be held w/c 4  May 2026thDear Candidates,Thank you for your interest in the ProgrammeLeader position at Nottingham Diocesan CatholicYouth Service (NDCYS). We are delighted you areconsidering joining us.As Programme Leader, you will be at the heart ofwhat we do — designing and delivering powerfulencounters with Christ for young people throughretreats, school and parish outreach across thediocese, and online. It is a role that genuinelychanges lives.The Brairs, our retreat centre in Crich, Matlock, haswelcomed visitors since 1970 and today servesover 5,000 people every year. It is a place with aremarkable history — and even greater potential.We are an organisation proud of what we havebuilt, but clear-eyed about where we are going:forward-thinking, dynamic, and committed tocreating exceptional, life-enriching experiencesfor the young people of this diocese.This is an exciting moment to join us. We arelooking for someone with the vision, energy, Faithand heart for community to help lead that nextchapter.We look forward to receiving your application.Kind regards,Erin DoughtyDirector of Youth ServicesWelcome from our Director The Nottingham DiocesanCatholic Youth Serviceprovides opportunities foryoung people to discovercommunity, come tofriendship with Christ, and adeeper awareness ofthemselvesOur Mission The Role Profile and Person Specification for this role are essential to the selection andrecruitment process. They form the starting point for consideration of a candidate’s eligibility for interviewand guide the selection panel. It is important that you use both documents to prepareyour application form. Application forms are to be found in this pack.The Role Profile sets out the role, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken by thesuccessful candidate. It is a written statement of what is expected by the post holder. Itprovides basic guidance on day-to-day tasks and responsibilities. It includesinformation about the way in which the role should be approached and what the roleneeds in order to be successful. The Person Specification sets out the criteria used to identify the most suitablecandidate for the role. It specifies the particular experience, skills, knowledge andpersonal qualities required. The selection panel will use information from theapplication form to assess whether a candidate has met the criteria. We are committed to treating all our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective oftheir actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.Guidance for Applicants ShortlistingThe procedure used to arrive at ashort list will allow sufficient time fora thorough and rigorous analysis ofall applications. A selection panel,the members of which will also makeup the formal interview panel, willcarry out shortlisting. Decisionsabout who is invited for interview willbe based on how well applicantsmeet the role profile and the personspecification criteriaReferencesReferences of shortlisted candidateswill be requested before theinterview. Referees will be contactedvia email and, on occasion, may becontacted by telephone. At least onereferee should be your currentemployer and a contact at your lastpost working with young people ifnot currently doing so.The Interview DayDuring the Interview Day, we will take every opportunity to find out if you are the rightperson for the role. Similarly, it is an opportunity for you to find out more about the centreand those who work here. The interview is a two-way process, please feel free to ask anyquestions that you might have.The Interview Day will offer you a range of different opportunities to demonstrate yourpotential to meet the requirements of the post.Some or all of the following activities and procedures may be used:• A presentation   • A formal interview     • A tour of the centreUnsuccessful candidates can requestfeedback from the panel on theirapplication and interview viadirector@ndcys.comAll copies made of identificationdocumentation taken from unsuccessfulcandidates will be shredded, with theexception of interview notes that may bestored for reference.  In line with our Safer Recruitment policies,references may be requested prior tointerview. During your interview, you will be asked toprovide identification documents,  so thatwe can commence a DBS application withthe successful candidate as soon as theoffer of employment has been made andaccepted.Please visit the government’s DBSguidelines website HERE to confirm thedocuments that you will need to bring withyou. The PanelUnsuccessful Candidates References & DBS ChecksApplications Forms  & SubmissionThere will be a panel of interviewers. Theinterview panel is made up of The Directorand trustees. A minimum of one person on the panel willhave undertaken Safer Recruitment Training.In making the final decision whether toappoint, the following good practiceguidelines will be observed: • The chair of the interview panel will seekeach panel member’s assessment of eachcandidate and use these to inform the finaldecision • Sufficient time will be given for the panel todeliberate on the decision • The chair of the interview panel willsummarise each candidate’s writtenapplication, responses and references tosupport clarity in coming to judgements The method of reaching a decision willinclude discussion and gradual elimination.This will be agreed with the interview panel inadvance and made clear to all • All papers relating to the interview processwill be collated, one copy held confidentially,and all other copies shredded • The trustees should ratify appointment • All appointments are subject to satisfactoryreferences, DBS, proof of Right to Work,satisfactory qualification verification andmedical clearance.Guidance for Applicants Application forms can be accessed HERE Please complete all of the questions,incomplete submissions may not be considered. All completed applications or further questions need to be submitted torecruitment@ndcys.com Applications will close at 5pm on 30 April 2026, your application may not beconsidered if submitted after this time.thPlease Note: We reserve the right to close applications before this date.  If you feel called to this position but are still in the process of workingtowards the qualifications required for this role, please give us a callas we may have opportunities for you.  NOTTINGHAM DIOCESAN CATHOLIC YOUTH SERVICE Programme Leader RecruitmentPack|JobDescription&PersonSpecification ROLE OVERVIEW Faith CommitmentThis role requires the successful candidate to be a practising Catholic, living faithfully in accordance with theteachings of the Church, committed to their own ongoing spiritual growth, and able to model Christian life forthe young people and volunteers in their care. MAIN FUNCTIONS ABOUT THE ROLE Nottingham Diocesan Catholic Youth Service (NDCYS) serves young people aged 11–18 across the Diocese ofNottingham and beyond.The Programme Leader is based at The Briars, our retreat centre in Crich, Derbyshire— a place with over 50 years of history and a clear sense of purpose. This is an exciting opportunity for an emerging leader to develop both existing provision and new ways of enabling young people to encounter God, grow in discipleship, and participate in the mission of the Church — through residential and day retreats, outreach to schools and parishes, and online engagement. This role comes with something rare: a genuine home. The Programme Leader lives on site at The Briars as part of an intentional Catholic community of 5–10 people — a household of young adults giving a year or more in service and mission. Life together is built around shared meals, daily prayer and the mission of The Briars, creating a rhythm that is both grounding and energising. For the right person, this is one of the most compelling aspects of the role: the chance to live and lead from within a community of faith, not just to visit it. Role Salary Hours Contract Start Date Holiday Probation Line Manager Programme Leader £26,000 - £31,000— includes comfortable live-in accommodation (suited to a single person) and meals on duty 40 hours per week, full-time. Flexible working required, including evenings and weekends Two-year fixed term, initially May or Mid-August start dates available 20 days plus bank holidays 6 months Director – Deliver holistic residential and day programmes supporting the personal, spiritual, social and educational development of young people aged 11–18. – Support the growth of residential, day, school and parish outreach and mission programmes. – Provide pastoral support to the volunteer team within the Catholic ethos of the centre. – Promote and nurture the Catholic community at The Briars. – Contribute to the development of the youth service as a whole. General AdministrationKPIs & Performance Programme DeliveryDUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Programme & Mission Team Leadership– Maintain a 90% + visitor booking retention rate.– Achieve 95%+ staff satisfaction.– Foster and embody the Catholic ethos of The Briars.– Undertake training, development and professional supervision as required.– Hold a full, valid UK driving licence (essential to the role). – Work with the operations team to track and manage retreat documentation and data accurately. –Maintain up-to-date, accessible records using appropriate IT and administrative skills. – Attend andcontribute to relevant meetings, including weekly programme and evaluation meetings. – Support therunning of The Briars shop as a funding stream of the centre. – Lead up to four residential retreats per month, ensuring a safe, supportive, engaging and authentically Catholic environment.– Plan, deliver, monitor, evaluate and develop residential and day retreats and outreach, empowering the mission team to exercise their own leadership.– Participate fully in all aspects of the programme: activities, small groups, shared meals and hospitality. – Lead sessions and activities that foster connection, spiritual growth and joy. – Guide visiting staff to maximise their experience at The Briars through clear communication and active involvement.– Act as first point of contact and be responsible for visiting groups throughout their retreat. – Plan and co-ordinate outreach and mission weeks for schools and parishes, with Director support. – Work towards becoming a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO); liaise with the DSO to implement and monitor safeguarding policy and good practice.– Promote a safe environment in accordance with NDCYS health and safety policies. – Communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues, the Chaplain, and visiting staff and priests throughout programmes and outreach.– Provide hospitality to own programme groups and other users; take on on-call responsibilities as appropriate.– Support the Director in managing the volunteer mission team,ensuring every member feels valued, supported and clear in their role.– Provide regular supervision and check-ins with mission team members; document notes and maintain open communication.– Deliver team training and support the ongoing development of individual team members. – Support the recruitment of mission team members.– Reside on site and participate actively in the Catholic community, engaging daily in community life and prayer(some community commitment may fall outside normal working hours). – Serve as the primary contact for a set of partner schools, building strong, sustained relationships that grow and strengthen our work with them.– Support the promotion of retreats and NDCYS’s wider work through assemblies, social media and other channels.– Support the operations team to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the centre. PERSON SPECIFICATION SAFEGUARDING & GDPR NDCYS recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults and is committed tocreating a safe environment for all. All staff and volunteers undertake to do everything in their power to preventphysical, sexual or emotional abuse. The interests of children and vulnerable adults are paramount. The successful candidate will berequired to adhere to NDCYS’s Safeguarding and GDPR policy, sign the Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment, and conduct themselves in accordance with its provisions at all times. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references. Appropriate screening checks, including an enhanced DBS check, will be required.  ✓ ✓ ✓  ✓ RefCriteria TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONSEducated to degree level in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional qualification Professional qualification in Youth Work or equivalent (or working towards) Evidence of continuing professional development EXPERIENCE Significant and varied experience of working with young people Substantial experience of residential work with young people Experience of youth ministry within the Church Experience of working with adult volunteers Experience of leading liturgy and prayer Experience of living and working in community Experience of working with young people in schools Experience of organising events and/or project managementPROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS Ability to manage a varied and complex workload and meet deadlines Full, valid UK driving licence Understanding of equality and diversity; able to challenge discriminatory behaviour Creativity and imagination in work with young people Ability to lead, inspire and develop staff and volunteers Strong interpersonal skills; able to communicate clearly both orally and in writing Able to build positive working relationships with volunteers, teachers, catechists and clergy Essential Desirable AA1A2A3BB1B2B3B4B5B6B7B8CC1C2C3C4C5C6C7✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓RefCriteria Experience of working within a wider network and with diversestakeholders PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Committed practising Catholic Inspires trust among the community and stakeholders Builds and sustains quality relationships through effective communication Demonstrates personal and professional integrity; models the values and vision of NDCYS Able to prioritise, plan and organise self and others effectively Enthusiastic and able to enthuse others Promotes equality of opportunity and diversity Resilient and able to remain calm under pressure Self-aware; receptive to feedback and committed to ongoing development SAFEGUARDING Committed to fostering a strong safeguarding culture Demonstrates and promotes effective staff and young person wellbeing at all times Appropriate professional development/experience to act as Deputy DSO when required Essential Desirable ✓ ✓ E3C8DD1D2D3D4D5D6D7D8D9EE1E2✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓Nottingham Diocesan Catholic Youth Service | The Briars, Crich, Derbyshire Phone Number01773 852044Email Addressrecruitment@ndcys.comCharity Number: 522334