The Hilfield Project is a Franciscan initiative for peace and the environment, established at Hifileld Friary, Dorset, by the brothers of the First Order of the Society of St Francis, an Anglican religious order. Based on the life and witness of St Francis of Assisi and the spiritual tradition which flows from him, the Project focuses on two of the major issues of our age: the growing tensions between peoples, particularly between those of different cultures and religious faiths, and the disharmony between ourselves and the rest of creation which threatens cataclysmic changes in the future.
The Hilfield Project will involve:
- A conservation programme, working with and caring for nineteen acres of meadow and woodland designated an area of Special Nature Conservation Interest.
- An organic market garden, growing food for use in the Friary and for sale, and teaching good practice to those who are involved
- Reflection on our relationship with the environment, learning from the insights of the Franciscan and other traditions and discovering practices for peaceful and sustainable living.
- Dialogue between people of different faith traditions, seeking deeper understanding and greater co-operation
- Working for reconciliation and healing in people’s lives and among communities
- Praying and working for peace and justice at home and throughout the world
The Project seeks to offer:
- A place to meet and share with others who care about peace, justice and the integrity of creation
- Courses throughout the year on peace and environment issues
- Accommodation suitable for both individuals and for self-catering groups
- The opportunity for volunteers, both as residents and as day visitors , to participate in the aims of the Project
- A ‘still centre’ where we can become ‘instruments of peace’.
- The Hilfield Friary Shop where material on the Franciscan approach to peace, justice and the integrity of creation is available.
The Hilfield Project is seeking a Development Officer:
- To work with Brother Samuel and the Project Steering Committee to assess and evaluate the aims of the Project and their practical development
- To research and establish relations with other groups, organizations and individuals working in the fields of peace and justice, the environment, reconciliation and interfaith relations.
- To research and develop a conservation project on the Friary land, seeking co-operation with the Dorset Wildlife Trust and other conservation organizations
- To assess the ‘market’ for what the Project is seeking to offer – among schools, colleges, churches and other organisations and communities and to prepare appropriate publicity.
- To advise about appropriate administrative support for the Project, including a data base and to assist in the setting up of this administration.
- To assess the financial needs of the Project and to explore sources of funding.
- To help with the advertisement for and selection of volunteers, both local and residential, and to set in place a pattern of supervision for the volunteers.
- To work with Br Samuel and others in preparing an annual programme of meetings and events run by the Project.
- To work with Alastair Dennis and Brother Samuel in preparing and advertising the self-catering houses for letting and to organise an appropriate lettings management.
- To prepare a job description for a longer term Project Director.
- To provide a written report on the above to the Steering Committee by July 2007
Person Specification.
It would be helpful for applicants to feel confident in as many as possible of the following:
- the Franciscan ethos of the Project
- some knowledge of the organisations involved in peace and environmental fields
- to be a self-starter
- to have some experience of shaping and managing an open-ended project
- to understand good practice in relation to recruitment, training and team-building of volunteers
- computer and internet skills
The length of employment for this post will be for one year, starting as soon as possible in 2007. The successful applicant could also apply for the longer-term post of Project Director when this is advertised.
Free furnished accommodation can be provided in a recently refurbished one bed-roomed cottage
The remuneration will be £20,000 p.a.
Further information about the Hilfield Project can be found on the Hilfield Project website: www.HilfieldPROJECT.co.uk
If you wish to apply for this post then please send a short CV plus a letter saying why you are interested, linking your experience to particular areas of the job specification, and send by 6th January 2007 to:
Brother Samuel SSF
The Friary
Hilfield
DORCHESTER
Dorset DT2 7BE samuelssf@franciscans.org.uk
