The purpose of the role is to support the Bishops of Manchester, Peterborough, and St Edmundsbury & Ipswich in their duties as Members of the House of Lords. The work includes research and information gathering, drafting speeches and questions, managing meetings, appointments and other events on behalf of the Bishops and such other work as they and the Head of Parliamentary Affairs may require from time to time.

The Parliamentary and Policy Researcher’s priorities and tasks will be determined by the Bishops, with whom the postholder will be expected to have frequent direct contact along with their key advisers. In conjunction with their offices, the Head of Parliamentary Affairs will manage, guide and oversee the parliamentary work of the postholder.

The Parliamentary and Policy Researcher will be based with the Parliamentary Team. This is located at Lambeth Palace, London, SE1 7JU (within the Church of England’s wider Faith and Public Life Team), and at Church House, Westminster, SW1P 3AZ. Some flexibility, including home working, is possible, though there is an expectation that the postholder be available to attend Westminster.

The postholder’s working time will be divided equally between the three Bishops. Flexibility in the working pattern will be required, depending on the respective requirements of each, their commitments in the House of Lords, including duty weeks.

The work of the Bishops in the House of Lords is guided by their policy and local interests, as well as their status as religious leaders with a national profile.

The postholder will need to have access to the Parliamentary Estate, so will be required to apply for a security pass sponsored by one of the employing Bishops, and will be expected to abide by the rules and codes set by Parliament that accompany the issuing of a pass. The postholder will also have access to the facilities offered to Lambeth Palace and other NCI staff, observing the responsibilities and protocols which apply to all.