Diocesan Director of Mission and Evangelisation – Catholic Diocese of Townsville

The Catholic Diocese of Townsville was established in 1930. There are 26 parishes within the Diocese, covering an area of 434,400 square kilometres, extending from Townsville on the Coast, to the Whitsunday and Burdekin regions in the South and North to Ingham and Halifax, south-west to Winton, and west to the border with the Northern Territory, encompassing Mount Isa and several small, isolated western towns and east to Palm Island.

The Most Reverend Timothy Harris is the Sixth Bishop of Townsville.

As well as nurturing the spiritual lives of the Catholic population, the Diocese supports many more in the local community through education, welfare and community services and health and aged care.

The charitable works funded by the Diocese include, amongst others, Centacare North Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council, Prison, and Multicultural ministries and the formation of priests in seminaries.

Townsville Catholic Education supports 30 schools in the Diocese, located in a region extending to Mount Isa in the west, Proserpine in the south and north to Ingham. Our education choices include primary, secondary and prep-to-year 12 institutions, as well as kindergarten and childcare facilities.  Townsville Catholic Education employs more than 2,100 teaching, professional and ancillary staff to fulfil our mission of providing quality educational services through our Catholic school communities.

The Diocese owns a small portfolio of properties, including schools and Parishes, Retreat Centres and Sacred Heart Cathedral.

The population of the Townsville Diocese is approximately 260,000. The Catholic population of the Diocese is approximately 76,000.

Further Information

Additional information can be viewed by visiting https://www.tsv.catholic.org.au/

Position Overview

Position Title: Diocesan Director of Mission and Evangelisation

Reports to:       Bishop of Townsville, Most Reverend Timothy J. Harris DD

Position Purpose

To support the Bishop in this ‘outward facing role’ by providing leadership for a range of pastoral programs, projects and events, throughout the parishes and agencies, which support the mission and priorities of the Diocese. This role also provides oversight of the Diocesan Centre financial, governance and administrative support functions.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Bishop in his pastoral and administrative responsibilities by coordinating and guiding parishes and agencies, and ensuring alignment of activities with the mission and priorities of the Diocese.
• Developing policies, procedures and strategic planning to support the mission, including ensuring the optimum allocation of resources to meet mission needs.
• Advise the Bishop, Diocesan authorities on matters of significance as well as emerging needs of the Diocese.
• Research, review and evaluation of programs and activities to determine effectiveness in support of the mission and priorities.
• Working closely with and supporting parish communities, including assisting in addressing the wide range of challenges faced by Priests and communities in such a geographically diverse Diocese.
• Assist with the induction and welcome of new Priests into the Diocese.
• Leadership of pastoral programs, financial, governance and administrative functions, delivered by approx. 20 employees.
• Provide thoughtful leadership, outstanding professional skills and a personal commitment to the Church, making a positive and significant contribution to the life of the Church in Townsville.
• Be an influential leader who promotes a positive organisational culture that fosters and supports the mission of the Catholic Church, providing inspiring leadership, motivation and operational direction for Diocesan entities, Agencies & Parishes.

Initial Priorities

The initial priorities of this role will be discussed with people as we progress through this recruitment process.

Key Relationships

The Diocesan Director of Mission and Evangelisation interacts with the following internal and external stakeholders:

• Bishop of Townsville
• Staff of the Bishop’s Office and Diocesan Centre
• Diocesan clergy and parish administrators.
• Diocesan Pastoral Council, Diocesan Finance Council, College of Consultors, and various Boards, Committees and Commissions in the Diocese.
• Agencies and other employees of the Diocese and various Catholic organisations and tertiary institutions such as Saints’ Catholic College at James Cook University.
• Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
• External bodies including Government authorities that impact on the delivery of Diocesan services

The Diocesan Director of Mission and Evangelisation operates in a collegial manner with the Executive Director of Centacare and the Executive Director of Catholic Education, both of whom also report to the Bishop.

The Diocesan Director of Mission and Evangelisation manages a team of approx. 20 with 10 direct reports including:

• Diocesan Financial Administrator
• Liturgical Consultant
• Communications and Vocations Coordinator
• Director, Matrimonial Tribunal
• Diocesan Archivist
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council Coordinator

An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this process.

Reason for Vacancy

The current Chancellor and Director of Parish Life and Ministry is retiring after more than 35 years in the role. The Bishop has taken the opportunity to review the operation of his Office and this role has been reshaped to provide an increased focus on supporting parishes and the mission of the Catholic Church.

Commencement

The commencement date is negotiable however ideally it will be by February/early March 2018.

Location and Travel

The role is based in the Catholic Diocesan Centre, 266-270 Stanley Street, Townsville, Qld.

The nature of this leadership role is likely to require considerable travel in the first 12 months to visit with parishes throughout the Townsville Diocese to establish relationships and develop some level of understanding of the needs and challenges of each one. Thereafter, travel will be on an ‘as needs’ basis however it is still anticipated the Director will be available and involved with the many parish communities rather than office-bound.

Conditions of Employment

• The remuneration and conditions of employment package will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• Appointment: a three-year contract with annual review. The precise nature and range of duties will evolve and develop during the course of the contract and be determined in consultation with the Bishop.
• As a full time executive position, this position involves extended hours, evening meetings, overnight absence and travel.
• Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• Applicants will require a current “C” Class Drivers Licence to fulfil the requirements of the role.
• The Working with Children (Risk Management & Screening) Act 2000 requires the preferred applicant to be subject to “working with children check” as part of the employment screening process. Further details regarding this check may be obtained by accessing the web site of the Public Safety Business Agency at the following internet address: https://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au

Selection Criteria

The Bishop of Townsville invites expressions of interest from people who align with the following expectations:

• A personal commitment to the faith, ethos, values and mission of the Catholic Church;
• Leadership experience in a complex and diverse Church organisation such as the Diocese;
• An ability to translate mission and values into operational plans with a record of developing strategy, policy and managing change;
• A sound understanding of good corporate governance;
• The interpersonal and relational skills to build and sustain effective relationships across a broad range of stakeholders;
• Commitment to client service and a willingness to be accountable for performance;
• A track record of ongoing personal and professional learning and relevant tertiary qualifications, ideally in areas such as Canon Law, Theology, and Pastoral Care.

People with experience in a senior level role in a Catholic Church agency are encouraged to explore this opportunity.

Are You Interested in this Opportunity?

If you are interested in this role, then simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email us at jobs@traksearch.com stating your interest and nominating ref number TS1373. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

At this stage we do NOT ask you to address the selection criteria or provide an application document – just complete the panel on this page or send a brief email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Townsville Director TS1373’; and providing your brief resume and contact telephone number.

If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our weekly job alert.

Any questions can be directed to either (a) our Director John Chesher by telephone (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via jobs@traksearch.com. The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours.

The Selection Process

Key dates are as follows:

Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:

• Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for confidential discussions and to provide information to allow you to explore this opportunity and determine your interest in the role
• A range of additional information will be provided to you as we progress through this process
• At the outset you will not be required to: complete an application form; provide a lengthy document to address the selection criteria; or supply referee details. However, you will be invited to supply us with additional information (verbally and in writing) as you progress through the process
• A late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the schedule. Please be aware however that any application received after close of business on the date noted above is more likely to be returned to you
• At the appropriate time we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent to do so
• We expect to contact one work-related referee and a Priest referee prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process.  You should always expect that before reaching the final stage of the project, we will ask to speak with at least one person who has: directly managed you; recently; and for a significant period of time
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Bishop or nominee unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.

You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.