Chaplain and Welfare Dean

Location Details: Harris Manchester College, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TD 

Harris Manchester, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford, is seeking to appoint a Chaplain and Welfare Dean.

The Chaplain will play a central role in supporting the wellbeing, pastoral care and inclusion of all members of the college community, providing spiritual and pastoral support, supporting student welfare, and acting as a visible and approachable presence in College life. The post-holder will work in close collaboration with the Principal and senior colleagues, participate in relevant College committees and meetings as required and contribute to the strategic development of the Chaplaincy and its future direction. They will also develop and implement a Welfare strategy to support the wellbeing and resilience of students or residents to help create a culture where students feel safe, respected and cared for. 

The key responsibilities and duties for Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care include: 

• Leading and overseeing the worshipping life of the College.
• Organising services, ceremonies, and events.
• Maintaining the Chapel as an inclusive and welcoming space.
• Planning sermons and liturgy that are engaging and sensitive to a diverse community.
• Providing confidential pastoral and spiritual support to all members of the College.
• Promoting care, compassion, and respect within the College.
• Participating in the College's intellectual and cultural activities.
• Being a visible and approachable presence in College life.
• Engaging with the academic context of the University and its unique college community.

Key duties for the Welfare Dean role include:

• Managing and supporting the Welfare Lead (a qualified nurse).
• Developing and reviewing college welfare policies and procedures.
• Providing welfare support for students and residents facing academic, personal, health, or wellbeing issues.
• Referring individuals to professional services when needed.
• Promoting a culture of wellbeing and contributing to welfare discussions and policy development.
• Collaborating with the Senior Tutor, wellbeing structures, and committees for effective support.
• Attending University and external meetings to ensure compliance and best practices.
• Coordinating with University services, including other colleges, doctors, counselling services, and peer supporters.
• Addressing serious or complex welfare cases in line with safeguarding obligations and University guidelines.

Further details of an optional Ministerial Studies role can be found on our website.  

Essential Criteria:

• Work sensitively and respectfully with people of all faiths and none.
• Experience in leading and overseeing the worshipping life of a community.
• Excellent listening, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Understand pressures faced by students in a demanding academic environment.
• Be an active and visible member of the College community.
• Exercise sound judgment in complex and sensitive situations.
• Understand safeguarding obligations, boundaries, and referral processes.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate welfare policies and procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with Welfare Lead, tutors, doctors, counselling services, and University structures.
• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and legal/policy frameworks.

Desirable Criteria:

• Interest or understanding of Unitarianism.
• Willingness to apply for Tutor for Ministerial Studies post (additional 0.2 FTE).
• Flexible working hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Experience in mature student education.
• Research experience or postgraduate qualifications (Masters/Doctorate).
• Ability to contribute to the research life of the College and University.

The above should be submitted by email to hr@hmc.ox.ac.uk via the above 'Apply' button by 10:00 am on the application deadline of 23rd March. Interviews are expected to take place on 20th April.

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