Welcome
This post is a tremendous and exciting opportunity for bold and creative communications leadership not just within Britain and Ireland, but also at a global level.
Historically, USPG was at the heart of the formation of the Anglican Communion. It still plays a vital role in the life of churches across cultures and contexts, facilitating the transformation of communities and individuals. With well-established and warm relationships with churches in over 50 countries, the potential for deeply mutual and multi-lateral engagement at a global level is substantial. If you are a person with vision, with a strong strategic sense and a genuine love of the richness and diversity of culture and context and worldview – then this is the role, which will transform you and USPG.
So, what’s the message? who or what is USPG? Well, we’re not the standard NGO doing our thing in the hope of benefiting others ‘less fortunate than ourselves’. Rather we work in close partnership with the churches of the Anglican Communion, walking alongside and engaging with their priorities. Those priorities might be tackling engrained forms of social injustice, like gender-based violence, or supporting particular groups (survivors of trafficking, refugees, those with HIV/AIDS), but equally the focus could be on theological education or leadership development. But, crucially, in all that we do, we seek to support the unity and mission of the churches in their life and mission.
That engagement with churches – as partners – involves being alongside in the midst of joys and sorrows; engaged in mutual encounter through prayer and sharing. We act in the present, but we also need to know and understand our past. Not least because we share our history as a mission agency with those churches, many of whom identity very strongly with USPG. But of course, we also have a responsibility to the future – to reimagine mission, to be prophetic in word and action. Our communication and engagement is critical in this.
USPG is well known in many parts of the world. But not in Britain and Ireland today. So raising its profile, engaging with new audiences and creating a deeper understanding of its work is a major organizational priority. As the lead Communications professional within USPG, you will have the opportunity to shape the development of the communications function, its strategy and implementation, to drive a proactive approach to external communications and media relations, manage USPG’s engagement with the press and media, and be responsible for developing an approach to content that helps build awareness and understanding of USPG’s work among key audiences.
The person appointed will also oversee a very capable and creative fundraising team and have responsibility for our engagement with volunteers, but the real challenge in this role is to help USPG articulate its voice.
Thank you for considering this post.
The Revd Dr Duncan Dormor,
General Secretary (CEO)
