Wycliffe Bible Translators is looking for a Special Assistant for the Executive Director, to be based at our office in Central High Wycombe.This page contains all the information you need to apply for this role.

1.5 billion people are still waiting

For over 60 years, we’ve been pioneering and innovating, working alongside communities big and small, creating partnerships, and training local people to translate the Bible.

Today Wycliffe Bible Translators is engaged with 326 minority language groups around the world that make up 469 million people, but globally 1.5 billion people are still waiting for the complete Bible in a language they understand well. As part of Wycliffe’s response to this need, we’re growing and restructuring parts of the organisation.

Wycliffe is looking for an enthusiastic, energetic and proactive Special Assistant to support the Executive Director (ED) in fulfilling the vision of the organisation. They will provide high-quality support to the ED in the areas such as administration, project management and research. The chosen candiate will be mentored in their leadership and management skills by the ED, so that they can achieve their potential and make a substantial contribution to the ministry of Bible translation.

Aims of the role

The Special Assistant (SA) to the Executive Director (ED) will provide high-quality support to the ED in the areas of administration, project management and research, so enabling the ED to achieve personal aims and objectives.

To achieve this support the SA will need to be comfortable in making decisions on behalf of the ED, within agreed parameters. The SA will have responsibility for managing the diary, and parts of the ED’s correspondence. The SA will arrange meetings for the ED. The SA will also – when agreed and appropriate – represent the ED at meetings.

The ED will have a mentoring relationship with the SA, which will help to develop the SA’s leadership and management skills, and provide opportunities in which they can learn, grow and develop their skills.

Reports to: James Poole, Executive Director

Location: Central High Wycombe – within walking distance of fast rail services to London, Oxford and Birmingham

Key tasks

The Special Assistant to the Executive Director will:

• Proactively plan the ED’s diary by booking, accepting and declining meetings to ensure that time is used effectively in line with the ED’s objectives and priorities
• Manage the ED’s correspondence, including replying to routine emails and drafting responses to other enquiries
• Organise the ED’s meetings, including agendas, itineraries, and travel arrangements
• Represent the ED as required at both internal and external meetings
• Coordinate communication between the ED and senior staff, and between the ED and the Board of Trustees, including tracking of projects
• Lead projects on behalf of the ED within agreed parameters
• Monitor developments and carry out research, providing relevant information to the ED in a timely manner
• Make decisions and act on behalf of the ED within agreed parameters.

Person specification

Skills and experience

Essential

• Educated to degree level or above
• Evangelical Christian, passionate about the organisation’s aims and ethos, with a personal commitment to cross-cultural mission
• Clear evidence of potential to grow into a future management role
• Strong desire and clear ability to support senior management
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Excellent administrative skills, with attention to detail
• Excellent research skills, with the ability to summarise and present data and other relevant information
• Entrepreneurial self-starter and leader with initiative, confidence and drive
• Exceptional skills at building and managing relationships, including the ability to influence and persuade a wide range of individuals and groups
• Clear, friendly telephone manner
• IT literate, proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products or their equivalents
• High degree of personal organisation and self-management, with the ability to prioritise, multitask and work to deadlines
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to summarise and synthesise meetings for the ED
• Willingness to learn and receive constructive feedback.

Desirable

• Personal experience of cross-cultural mission, in the UK or overseas
• Proven project management skills
• Willingness to travel in the UK, and overseas to visit projects when needed.

Personal qualities

• Passionate about Wycliffe’s aims
• Ability to take appropriate initiative
• Trustworthy and honest
• Self-starter, ability to use own initiative and work independently, but also as part of a diverse team
• Able to develop good working relationships internally and externally
• Problem-solver, with ability to find creative solutions.

Other requirements

It is an Occupational Requirement that the post-holder be a committed Christian who assents to Wycliffe’s Statement of Faith.

Applicants must be able to prove that they have the legal right to work in the UK.

Further information

Working hours

We creatively consider all requests for flexible working wherever possible.

This position is full-time (37.5 hours per week). The office is open from 8am to 6pm and core business hours for this role, when you are normally expected to be present, are from 9:30am to 5pm. You are encouraged to take a one-hour lunch break.

Annual leave

Full-time employees are entitled to 33 days’ annual leave, to include public holidays and the office closure between Christmas and New Year.

Salary

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, with competitive pension plan and life assurance cover.

Term of appointment

This is a permanent post with a probationary period of six months.