The purpose of the role is to support the Bishops of Hereford, Southwell and Nottingham, and Coventry 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 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. Both the Bishop of Hereford and the Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham have a shared concern for issues affecting rural communities.
Policy interests:
- Bishop of Hereford: Rural Affairs & Agriculture, Science & Technology. He chairs the Rural Bishops’ Group and the Remuneration and Conditions sub-committee of the Archbishops’ Council. He also serves as Clerk of the Closet to His Majesty the King (heading up the Ecclesiastical Household).
- Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham: Defence and the Military, Children (with a particular interest on children in care, Marriage & Families, Health and Social Care, Mental Health.
- Bishop of Coventry: Gender/Equalities, Reconciliation, Disability