Vacancy for a Manager for the CAP Thurrock Debt Centre
Christian Against Poverty (‘CAP’) in Thurrock is seeking to appoint a new Debt Centre Manager (‘DCM’) on a voluntary basis from June 2022, or as soon as possible afterwards.
The minimum time commitment is 16 hours per week, comprising four sessions of four consecutive hours, with at least two sessions being within normal working hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
An Occupational Requirement exists for the post-holder to be a practising Christian in accordance
with the Equality Act 2010
Why the Vacancy?
The present manager, David Acreman, believes that God is calling him to step down as Thurrock DCM from 31st March 2022, after fulfilling this role for seven years; David feels that he is called to pursue a wider ministry in evangelism throughout Thurrock.
There is therefore a vacancy for a new DCM to take over from Spring 2022 and we invite applications from suitably committed and qualified local Christians. You do not need to live within Thurrock, but you will need to live fairly locally and be able to drive a car throughout the Borough.
How the Thurrock Debt Centre Operates
Thurrock Christian Fellowship is the lead church that partners with CAP in overseeing Thurrock’s Debt Centre, and we wish to continue the good work that the Debt Centre is doing for those in debt in Thurrock, as seamlessly as possible.
The role of DCM is outlined in detail here: CAP – Role of Debt Centre Manager . Note that, as well as managing the Debt Centre, the DCM also fulfils a debt coaching role, visiting clients in their homes.
How is a New DCM Appointed and What Qualities does CAP look for?
CAP centrally approves and trains applicants for DCM posts, and applicants have to be fully in agreement with CAP’s CAP – Statement of Faith and CAP – Cultural Values .
No detailed financial skills or experience are required from the outset, since CAP will provide all the training necessary; CAP does, however, expect applicants to have a compassionate heart for the poor and a strong commitment to the Gospel.
Therefore, the applicant must be a committed Christian and a regular member of a local church since a significant part of the role includes praying for clients and aiming to introduce them to Jesus. Satisfactory references must be provided from their church leader, relating to their spiritual and personal suitability before an appointment can be made or training can begin.
Finances and Key Dates
Thurrock CAP Debt Centre is offering this vacancy as a volunteer ministry (unpaid) role, but with travelling costs and other agreed expenses reimbursed. The Debt Centre Manager is responsible for securing / raising sufficient funding for the overall running of Thurrock CAP Debt Centre; this can include applying for grants. (Some funding has already been secured for the medium term.)
If the selected applicant needs personal financial support, then it will be their own responsibility to seek this either from the churches or by making grant applications.
The official closing date for CAP centrally to receive an application form is 1st April 2022, for the role to begin on 10th June. This allows for the necessary training to occur prior to the start date. Such training will either be online or involve a few days spent at CAP Head Office in Bradford.
Once in post, the DCM is accountable both to the CAP Area Manager and to the TCF Leadership who oversee the Thurrock CAP Debt Centre. There is an expectation that the successful applicant would commit to spending at least two years in post.
A smooth handover plan will be devised between David Acreman, CAP, and David’s successor, with the aim to ease the new DCM in smoothly and to avoid any existing CAP client being left without ongoing support.
David plans to continue his ministry of evangelism and prayer support to CAP’s clients, so he will not be leaving the Centre entirely, but operating within CAP Thurrock in a wider and more informal role.
If You Are Interested?
Stage One: Contact Andy Acreman (Chairman of Trustees, Thurrock Christian Fellowship) by email on andrew.acreman@gmail.com by the internal closing data of Friday 17th March 2022 (and ideally even earlier). This email will represent an informal application that enables TCF to evaluate your candidacy, with a view to recommending the preferred applicant(s) to CAP. Please explain why you have applied for the role, and how you believe that you can satisfy the criteria in this advertisement.
Stage Two: CAP’s Selection Team will then send out the formal application forms and will request a reference from your church leader. Once completed, you will be called for interview – either online or at a regional CAP Centre. After the interview, applicants are notified on the day if they have been successful or not.
