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Role Description

JOB TITLE: Secretary to the Ethical Investment Advisory Group (EIAG)

GRADE: Band 2

SALARY: c£65,000 – 75,000 per annum

FLEXIBILITY: Offered on a full time, part-time, term-time, or job-share basis

LOCATION: Flexible: 1-3 days per week in an NCI office (London/York) or fully home-based with travel to meetings as required.            

ACCOUNTABLE TO: Chief Executive of the Church of England Pensions Board (line manager)[1]
on behalf of the National Investing Bodies (NIBs)[2]
Working closely with the Chair of the EIAG

RELATIONSHIPS: Members of the EIAG; the National Investing Bodies (NIBs), particularly their CEOs and Responsible Investment leads/teams; senior staff within the NCIs, notably the Director of Faith and Public Life, Lambeth Palace and Communications; ecumenical counterparts, notably in the Methodist Church; civil society and investor groups when relevant and not covered by NIBs.

JOB SUMMARY: To facilitate the mission of the EIAG and the ethical investment work of the NIBs by leading programmes of work and co-ordinating with stakeholders to support distinctly Anglican ethical investment policies.

BACKGROUND:

The Church of England Ethical Investment Advisory Group seeks to provide timely and practical advice to the three NIBs to enable them to invest in a way that is distinctly Christian and Anglican.  The NIBs use this advice to develop their ethical investment policies in close liaison with the EIAG.  The EIAG comprises independent and NIB-nominated experts in areas including theology, investment, business ethics.  The EIAG’s world-leading work covers a complex range of issues ranging from climate change to human embryology; from corporate taxation to ‘big tech’.  Its work informs church investors and the broader investment community.

The secretariat is currently hosted by the Pensions Board on behalf of the NIBs.  The Secretary plays a pivotal role in the life of the EIAG.  The Secretary advises on policy, leads and commissions research and development of advice, and co-ordinates the EIAG, working with the Chair.  A key aspect of the role is commanding the confidence of EIAG members, the NIBs, and wider stakeholders including the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office.  This role requires excellent organisational skills combined with sound judgement, diplomacy, and a real passion for making a difference in the world through this work.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Enable the development of distinctly Anglican ethical investment policy advice for the NIBs by working with the Chair and NIBs to develop the EIAG programme, and lead the delivery of the work programme, working with members, the NIBs and other stakeholders as required.
  2. Commission research and input to support the EIAG’s work, draft advice reflecting the views of the EIAG, and work with the NIBs to ensure that policy recommendations are practical and will lead to real world outcomes. Contribute to the NIBs development of policy in response to EIAG advice.
  3. Organise and prepare EIAG meetings, including the timely preparation and circulation of agenda, papers and minutes; provide papers to the relevant NIB trustee committees; and ensure that all EIAG papers are of a high quality.
  4. Maintain the EIAG’s ethical investment advice, ensuring that advice and policies are regularly reviewed and refreshed as appropriate; maintain the content of the EIAG’s webpages; prepare EIAG publications; organise EIAG events e.g. high profile roundtable discussions or launches of advice/policies.
  5. Ensure the highest standards of governance for the EIAG (including maintaining a register of interests, supporting the work of the EIAG’s Nominations Committee, managing the processes to recruit independent members, and ensuring the best use of resources).
  6. Support the Chair and members including ensuring appropriate member induction, including liaison with NIB governance teams as required.
  7. Maintain excellent relationships with the NIBs, particularly their responsible investment specialists, as well as relevant representatives from Faith and Public Life (part of the Archbishops’ Council) and the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Participating in the NIB monthly meetings and NIB CEO meetings, and attend committees and team meetings as appropriate.  Work proactively with the NCI communication team, particularly on events.
  8. Provide high quality briefing materials and share learning with NIB Trustees/CEOs and other stakeholders including the Archbishops and Faith and Public Life on any relevant topic. Draft responses to Parliamentary and General Synod questions on EIAG matters, and co-ordinate responses across the Members, NIBs and other stakeholders as required.
  9. Manage the EIAG budget (c£180k pa) including forecasting, preparing budget papers and ensuring that income and expenditure are properly recorded. Manage, as required, consultants, contractors and project teams supporting the EIAG’s work.
  10. Act on behalf of the EIAG, in consultation with its Chair, on matters requiring urgent attention (which may include media and other stakeholder communications, either direct or supporting one or more NIBs).
  11. Speak at events and conferences about the work of the EIAG and contribute to the broader body of thinking on any relevant ethical investment topic as agreed with the Communications team and line manager.
  12. Any other duties as set out in the EIAG Terms of Reference or as may reasonably be required by the line manager or Chair of the EAIG.

The main duties and responsibilities of your post are outlined in this job description.  This list is not exhaustive and is intended to reflect your main tasks and areas of work.  Changes may occur over time and you will be expected to agree any reasonable changes to your job description that are commensurate with your banding and in line with the general nature of your post.  You will be consulted about any changes to your job description before these are implemented.

[1] Hosting of EIAG rotates periodically between the NIBs so the line manager may change during the appointment.

[2] The NIBs are: The Church Commissioners for England; the Church of England Pensions Board; and the CBF Funds (managed by CCLA Investment Management).