Community Participation Coordinator - Brentwood
Location: England
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £35,668 - £39,005 (Full time equivalent)
Hours of Work: 21 Hours PW
Closing Date: 18 May 2026
Community Participation Coordinator - Brentwood
Starting Salary: £35,668 - £39,005 (pro rata) This is the full-time amount, and the salary will be prorated based on the hours of the post.
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home
The successful candidate must be able to travel widely around the area covered
Hours: Part-time (21 hours per week)
Job Profile
CAFOD’s work in the Catholic community of England and Wales is to inspire and resource our diverse Catholic community to participate in the Church’s mission to overcome poverty and injustice in partnership with CAFOD.
The main purpose of this role is to inspire and increase the participation in CAFOD’s work of Catholic parishes, schools and the broader Catholic community within the Brentwood Diocese, though at present CAFOD’s work in diocesan schools is being held by someone else. This will be accomplished by recruiting and supporting a team of committed, inspired and well-resourced volunteers working in parish and school communities and by building fruitful relationships with clergy, church administrators, networks and other stakeholders across the diocese to enable and equip Catholics to give, act and pray with CAFOD.
The Community Participation Co-ordinator (CPC) is part of a regional team working across a group of dioceses and whilst having a primary focus on a diocese, is responsible for the results of the regional team plans in relation to volunteer recruitment and retention and parishioner and school participation. Flexibility regarding the area covered is important as we may need the postholder to cover a different area in the future.
The role will be home-based with an option of being based at the Westminster volunteer centre or CAFOD’s Headquarters at Romero House by discussion, although it is expected that the post holder will be mobile and flexible to frequently meet volunteers, clergy and other stakeholders as required around the Brentwood diocese. The post holder will also be meeting with other regional team members as required both virtually and face to face.
The role involves extensive travel across the diocese, therefore access to a car is essential. Mileage expenses will be reimbursed in line with organisational policy.
From time to time, the post holder will be required to transport equipment and resources, and to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends for which time off in lieu (TOIL) may be claimed
The post holder must be willing to adapt to the needs of the regional team, contributing skills, knowledge and, where appropriate, supporting activity in other parts of the region.
Key Responsibilities
Delivering participation plans
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Contribute to the development and delivery of annual plans in the region (a group of dioceses) with a primary focus on Brentwood diocese, and for fundraising, education, campaigns, and other targets, as delineated by the participation plan for the region.
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Ensure that the regional plans are delivered taking local context and opportunities into account.
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Share reports, information and insights on the participation of parishes and schools in CAFOD’s activities and on the recruitment, activity, development and retention of volunteers. Adapt the plans and priorities through periodic reviews with your manager.
Managing volunteers
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Be the lead volunteer manager for an identified portfolio of volunteer roles locally and ensure effective coordination and communication.
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In discussion with you manager agree targets for recruiting and retaining volunteers.
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Match the offers, skills, experiences and expectations of volunteers with opportunities and needs in relation to CAFOD’s plans.
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Ensure each volunteer is appropriately inducted, briefed, trained and resourced
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Organise and promote volunteer meetings and training opportunities online and offline to be delivered either by national programme teams or self or members of her/his regional team
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Ensure data is regularly recorded, accurate and up to date on CAFOD’s database.
Managing relationships
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Represent CAFOD in the diocese and ensure CAFOD retains a diverse range of fruitful relationships (eg the bishop, clergy, administrators, senior representatives and chaplains).
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Ensure CAFOD is promoted via various diocesan communication channels, working with diocesan communications officers and church administrators.
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Be a point of contact for local broadcast and print media, to increase opportunities for Catholics to hear about CAFOD’s work, working with and through media volunteers where possible.
All staff are expected:
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To attend and contribute to regular Team, Group and CAFOD-wide meetings and briefings
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To participate in training and other activities as requested by the line manager
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To work as a supportive member of the team, providing cover for and training of other team members and volunteers as required
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To be accountable for the achievement of objectives set by the line manager
Person Specification
Working with others: Builds positive, respectful and fruitful partnerships, particularly with volunteers; works effectively as part of a regional team to ensure sharing of good practice and shared workload; being willing and able to help other team members and be helped to achieve the delivery of a regional team plan
Communicating: Can communicate strongly CAFOD’s vision for community participation and volunteer partnership; share knowledge and information across CAFOD
Looking outwards: Collaborates with partners, supporters and donors to achieve the best balance between their objectives and CAFOD’s Mission
Managing resources: Confident with analysing and using data for planning, monitoring and reporting: Proven planning, time-management and organisational skills
Achieving results: Ability and willingness to focus on achieving results, especially for the delivery of shared regional plans for community participation and income growth
Managing our performance: Ability and willingness to work to targets and achieve results
Taking the lead: Motivates others to get things done
Job-specific competencies
- A demonstrable commitment to volunteering and understanding of its potential as a force for change
- Experience of managing multiple relationships eg with clergy, stakeholders and a wide variety of volunteers
- Experience of managing volunteers, including recruitment, retention, deployment and celebration.
CAFOD is a welcoming, supportive workplace committed to a safe, inclusive culture where everyone is respected. CAFOD will make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process to ensure candidates with disabilities or individual needs are fully supported.
Safeguarding for Children and Vulnerable Adults
CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect. CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount. Any candidate offered a job with CAFOD will be expected to adhere to CAFOD’s Safeguarding policy and sign CAFOD’s Code of Behaviour as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. This post involves contact with children and young people and applicants will be subject to specific checks related to safeguarding issues. The post holder is required to present or obtain a Disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service).
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, and appropriate screening checks can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent to, these recruitment procedures.
Please click here for a full list of CAFOD’s Staff Benefits
Come and join us and help make a real difference in the lives of the world’s poorest communities.
