Job vacancies

Church Worker (Durrës)

Reporting to:

Pastor and Team Leader

Location:

Durres based with some travelling to Tirana

Hours:

28 hrs per week

Salary range:

ALL 62,640–68,958 (Net) per month

Start date:

April 2024

Summary of the role

We’re looking for a ‘Church Worker’ to join our team by co-ordinating the activities of Tek Ura’s

church work and leading people in their Christian faith journey.

✓ In faith, you will seek to live out our values, seeking to put Jesus at the centre of your life, building a community for all. Leading our community in our values of empowerment, inclusion and celebration, you will explore innovative ways of Christian mission and develop skills and experiences that will shape your future.

✓ Building on your previous experience, you will be responsible for supporting and developing faith of people in and on the edge of our church community, leading and coordinating new discipleship cells especially with women and families.

✓ As part of a close team, you will work with the pastors and programme leaders, together coordinating activities for children and families to foster inclusion and belonging, by leading outreach programs

✓ You will use your creative skills to lead our community in a range of inclusive worship expressions

Commitment to ‘Church Tek Ura’

This role requires that you join the church team at Tek Ura.

The Church Worker will not be obliged to leave their existing church, but they are required to commit as members and dedicate their service to Tek Ura’s ministries. We are looking for candidates with a strong sense of ‘calling’ and commitment to our mission and community in Durres.

Who you are...

You will demonstrate the following qualities to thrive:

• Jesus centred. You see him as your hero and role model. And the Kingdom values of Tek

Ura will resonate with you. We can help you to continue and grow in faith.

• Creative. We want someone who can think outside the box and isn’t afraid to have a try. We embrace risk and strive for the new, we create a safe environment to have a try. Our

church model doesn’t meet on Sunday or around a single weekly gathering, but across

small cell communities where creativity is encouraged.

• Adaptable. Life at Tek Ura is full of the unexpected and can be chaotic. To thrive, you will

be able to adapt to the present reality, changing your plans and communication to fit the

demands of the day.

• A change-maker. A strong applicant will be able to inspire and guide others and develop

concrete and realistic steps, which lead to progress. You will not lose sight of the long-term

goals when adapting to current circumstances.

• Collaborative. We work to help people change whilst expecting to be changed ourselves.

To keep it this way, our team of facilitators must be radically collaborative as they lead others. You will want to both serve and be served, sharing life with others, often from marginalised groups.

• Socially astute. As a member of our team, you will also be learning how communities flourish and grow. This includes the desire to invite community participation and learning the skills to manage conflict and behaviours.

• Passionate about life in Christ – and what this means for people in Durres. You will be comfortable in sharing your faith, being radically inclusive and creative in seeking to break down the barriers that often divide communities.

Key responsibilities

  • You will take responsibility for the pastoral needs of people in the community, supporting the pastors and church team to develop a pastoral network and culture of prayer

  • You will take a role in the co-ordinating and teaching of a weekly Christian cell group(s) including a new group for women and children

  • You will work alongside our pastor and team leader as part of our ‘church organising team’ – and be jointly responsible for developing new resources that are used by our cell leaders

  • You will work alongside the pastors to develop groups and play a role in the discipleship of the community

  • You will be responsible for supporting the development of a new weekly children’s group (Play and Pray) and be responsible for the discipleship of this group of teenagers

  • You will also participate in the wider Tek Ura activities and the initiatives of Tek Ura including where appropriate, coordinating small projects

  • You will be able to build deep relationships within Tek Ura and beyond it, contributing to the life of the surrounding community and support individuals on their faith-journeys and spiritual growth

  • You will be helping to raise public awareness on issues relevant to the community and enabling local people to be heard by those who make decisions about them

  • You will work with the pastor(s) and leadership of Tek Ura to prepare reports and policies relating to faith and community

  • You will help the leadership of Tek Ura to develop the prayer culture and spiritual climate of our new centre in Durres

Other responsibilities

  • You will assist the team in the promotion and marketing of broader Tek Ura activities by contributing to the production of publicity materials and participating in scheduled events.

  • You will participate fully in staff training and team building activities

  • You may be required to commit to professional development and theological training

  • You will be responsible for connecting with the wider public using social media (i.e. Facebook, Instagram) and developing our online presence

  • Carry out other duties commensurate with the position, as may be determined by the leadership

  • You will enthusiastically represent Tek Ura and specifically our church at conferences in Albania, the Balkans and occasionally overseas.

  • You will embrace fully training and development aimed at broadening theological reflection and formation as a worker in the church.

Job Specification

It is an occupational requirement for this post holder to have active Christian faith.

Qualifications

  • Essential: Degree level qualification is not a prerequisite, but candidates must prove an ability to engage at this level

  • Desirable: Degree/ Masters qualification is a relevant subject

Experience

Essential

  • Experience leading group activities

  • Experience of working with children and/or groups of men/women

  • Experience developing the faith in others

  • Experience of leading others in prayer and worship

  • Willingness to use drama, music, creative arts, sport or multi- media to communicate aspects of the Bible and faith

  • Evidence of experience that displays an interest in applied theology

  • Evidence of experience(s) showing a desire to connect with marginalised and excluded people

  • Evidence of an active role within church community

Desirable

  • Experience of working with women in the Durres area

  • Experience of working with marginalised groups

  • Experience of supporting others to conduct baptisms and the Lord’s Supper

  • Experience of working with different faith groups and Christian denominations

  • Experience of coordinating projects and events – especially ‘summer camps’

  • Experience of using social media and producing videos

  • Experience of using drama, music, creative arts, sport or multi- media to communicate aspects of faith

  • Experience of translating and

    interpreting in English/ Albanian

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential

  • Excellent all round communicator

  • Formal seminary training is not required but candidates should demonstrate adequate understanding of scripture

  • Proficient level of spoken and written English

  • Ability to sustain deep relationships with people

  • Able to learn/ use Google Suite

Desirable

  • Experience in theological education, with a relevant qualification

  • Advanced IT Skills

  • Knowledge of the structures and cultures of various types of church denominations in Albania

  • Able to creatively engage with contemporary culture & social media

  • Excellent English language skills

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • A strong sense of God’ s ‘calling’ to this work – and heart for Durres

  • Values are of key importance and there must be an excellent match with Tek Ura values

  • Evidence of theological interest and desire for on-going education

  • Able to communicate excellently with a wide range of people, in particular women and children

  • They must be a positive person with an attitude of thankfulness

  • Appreciates new ways of being community alongside inherited patterns

Desirable

  • Someone living in Durres or the surrounding area

  • Passion for working ecumenically.

  • Passion for working inter- generationally

General

Essential

  • Willingness to continue learning and engage with staff training

  • Excellent ‘fit’ with the existing Tek Ura team

  • Able to relate to and connect with the people of Durres

Desirable

  • Full driving licence

Apply now!

Please complete our application form stating clearly the job for which you are applying. Download the application form and return it to jobs@tekura.org

Application deadline is 31 March 2024 at 23:55. We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

All applicants will need to agree to our declaration of values.