At a Glance
- Tasks: Support parishes in community engagement and social action initiatives.
- Company: Join the Diocese of Rochester, a vibrant community-focused organisation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous holidays, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and to build meaningful relationships across diverse communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping communities live out their faith through action.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 37121 - 37121 £ per year.
Based at the Diocesan Office, Rochester (with hybrid working)
Full-time (4 year FTC)
Grade 6 | Salary: £37,121
Are you passionate about the Church’s role at the heart of community life? Do you have the drive to support parishes in living out their faith through social action and local engagement? Are you someone who can help deliver and organise the strategic vision of the diocese? The Diocese of Rochester is seeking a Community Engagement and Social Action Adviser to join our dynamic team supporting parishes as they respond to the needs of their communities. You’ll work to equip churches to live out the third and fourth Marks of Mission—responding to human need and transforming unjust structures—enabling local Christian communities to show God’s love in action.
About the Role
Reporting to the Lead Community Engagement and Social Action (CESA) Adviser, you’ll play a key part in helping churches understand their local contexts and develop impactful responses to social needs. You’ll support parishes in accessing data, funding opportunities, and partnerships, help grow volunteer‑led community initiatives across the Diocese, and collaborate with multiple workstreams, contributing to the wider strategic aims of our programme.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Planning and supporting the delivery of diocesan community engagement and social action initiatives
- Taking the lead on some of the key social issues affecting local communities
- Nurturing positive working relationships with parishes
- Offering advice and signposting on funding, partnerships, and best practice
- Developing and analysing local demographic data to inform parish strategy
- Delivering and collating surveys and listening exercises, and facilitating events and focus groups
- Coordinating and expanding community networks across the Diocese
- Encouraging and equipping parish volunteers and community hubs
- Building strong relationships with parishes and external partner organisations
- Acting as a bridge between local churches and wider community stakeholders
- Working in collaboration with other departments within the Diocese on shared endeavours that help support the Diocesan Strategy.
You will be a visible and supportive presence across the Diocese—helping churches to connect deeply with their communities and respond with creativity, compassion, and confidence.
About You
We’re looking for someone who is:
- A disciple of Jesus with a deep commitment to faith in action and social justice
- Passionate about faith in action and addressing the 3rd and 4th Marks of Mission
- Experienced in community engagement, social action or the voluntary sector through working in the charity, local authority or public sector
- Has experience of organising and leading events and focus groups
- A skilled communicator who is approachable, encouraging, and adaptable
- A natural networker who can build strong partnerships across sectors
- Organised and detail‑oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects
- Experienced in project coordination and working with volunteers
- Comfortable analysing and presenting data to support local planning
- Confident using Microsoft Office and digital communication tools
Desirable: Bid‑writing experience, and familiarity with Church of England parish structures and contexts.
There is an Occupational Requirement (OR) for the postholder to be a communicant member of the Church of England (or a Church in communion with it, or a member Church of Churches Together in England, Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, or the Evangelical Alliance). This role will include travel across the Diocese including some evenings and weekends.
What we can offer:
- Flexible working, hybrid working and TOIL
- Generous holiday entitlement
- Contributory pension scheme
- Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and counselling service
The Diocese is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. The wider a group’s diversity, the smarter, wiser, and more compassionate and creative its decision making becomes. We are committed to achieving diversity throughout our Diocese by seeking UKME/GMH colleagues and those from a wide‑range of backgrounds, to help us create a culture of inclusion and belonging.
Closing date for applications: 26 July, 2026
Interviews will be held on: 5 August, 2026
Community Engagement and Social Action Adviser in Rochester employer: Community Energy England
The Diocese of Rochester is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that values faith in action and social justice. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, generous holiday entitlement, and a commitment to employee well-being through an Employee Assistance Programme, we empower our staff to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in their communities. Join us in fostering strong partnerships and driving social change across the Diocese, where your contributions will be valued and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Engagement and Social Action Adviser in Rochester
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Community Energy England.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Community Energy England.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Community Energy England.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Community Energy England. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Engagement and Social Action Adviser in Rochester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Community Energy England. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Community Engagement and Social Action Adviser, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Community Energy England
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Community Energy England. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
