Role Title: Core Member, Office and Communications
The Othona Community (charity number 1154204) seeks a Core Member, Office and Communications to be part of the resident core community at its West Dorset Centre.
Othona is an open and inclusive Community rooted in the Christian tradition, and drawing on a wealth of other inspirations. We welcome people of all ages, abilities, backgrounds and beliefs. Through sharing in a daily rhythm of work, learning, worship, and play, we seek personal renewal and glimpses of the sacred. In community we explore the relationship between faith and life, and encourage one another in caring for the world and its people.
Timeline
Closing Date: Applications will remain open initially until 15th August 2025 but please apply early as we will shortlist and interview candidates on an ongoing basis
Starting Date: Ideally our new Core Member, Office and Communications will be able to join us in October, if not before.
How To Apply
First, read For All Applicants: The Three Keys.
Then read the job description below. Do you think living and working with us in this role might suit you?
If so, email us at recruitment@othonawestdorset.org.uk Please use 'Office and Comms' as the subject. Please send a CV and supporting statement addressing some key questions
• Why have you chosen to apply to Othona as a core community member?
• How would you describe yourself and what would you bring to Othona (including any personal circumstances that are relevant)?
• Please say something about your spiritual life and orientation
• Do you have any special working or living requirements?
If you are shortlisted, depending on your previous experience with Othona, you will need to visit and volunteer with us at a mutually convenient date. As well as an introduction to the work, this allows you and the Othona team to get to know each other. We interview at the end of such a volunteer period, if both you and Othona decide to go ahead with your application.
Core Member, Office and Communications
Your working week will encompass a range of core tasks that are often shared amongst community members. You will be expected (after an initial learning and induction period) to host and facilitate events, lead chapel gatherings, take a turn cooking, cleaning and helping around the house and gardens. If you have particular practical skills in these areas that would be an advantage. On occasion you will need to cover for colleagues in their absence. These shared tasks apply to all established members of our core community and we work very much as a team to plan our work and develop our offer to our visitors
As Core Community Member with lead responsibility for office work and digital communication at Othona you’ll be representing the ethos and values of Othona to all who contact the Centre, offering a friendly and helpful response and working to increase our online presence and thus our reach.
You will need to be a good administrator, and enjoy planning and organising the office tasks including responding to enquiries, taking bookings, maintaining good records and other aspects of office work.
You will have good digital skills and be at ease in using social media and other online communication. You will become the key person in rationalising and improving our office IT and in exploring effective new marketing opportunities. Your work, within an overall communications policy agreed with the warden as your line manager, will help us to attract a wider demographic to attend and enjoy what Othona offers.
But just as important, you need the personal qualities to interact sensitively with our visitors and other contacts, to be well organised without being inflexible, to cope calmly in changing circumstances and work cheerfully in a small team. So spiritual and emotional intelligence and an interest in people will need to underpin your technical skills.
You will need to live on-site where the available accommodation is a self-contained flat. A job-share with someone who shares your accommodation could be feasible. Please let us know if you have this in mind so that we can discuss the practicalities.
The salary offered is £9,918.38, but with full board and lodging, pension provision, utility bills and council tax paid by Othona, this equates to a much higher figure in real terms. You can expect two days off a week (on a variable rota) and 28 days annual leave allowance.