Buddhist Chaplain - Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre  

8 hours per week  

Job objectives and responsibilities 

To assist in delivering a comprehensive programme of worship and teaching opportunities for all faiths, with a particular focus on Buddhism  inline with contractual requirements, company standards and resident needs 

Main duties 

• Plan, organise, promote, facilitate and deliver opportunities for worship and study for Buddhist residents, including all necessary arrangements or protocols for emergency contact in line with contractual requirements, company standards and resident needs. The needs of potentially vulnerable residents will be a particular (but not exclusive) focus for this post. 

• Facilitate and deliver services, programmes, activities and visits, liaising with external religious contractors, accredited religious representatives and volunteers, especially within the Buddhist community, to meet contractual requirements, company standards and resident needs. 

• Assist in the development of links with outside faith communities, especially within the Buddhist community, so the support provided within the Centre is current, in line with best practice and caters for all faiths. 

• Contribute to the maintenance of the dedicated faith areas, especially the Buddhist areas, ensuring an appropriate environment is provided.  

• Acquire and distribute, especially among Buddhist residents, after appropriate agreement and authorisation from the Manager of Religious Affairs and any other relevant authority, religious literature, supplies and materials allowing residents to fully discharge their commitment to their faith.  

• Advise the Manager of Religious Affairs, religious team and operational management team of relevant religious events, especially within Islam, including festivals, fasts, feasts to ensure that wherever reasonably possible residents can fully observe them.  

• Maintain a stock of appropriate Buddhist religious artefacts which will allow residents to fully discharge their commitment to their faith. Provide pastoral care to residents, staff, volunteers and visitors and their families, to assist in their safety, care and wellbeing.  

• Carry out, under the direction of the Manager of Religious Affairs, other reasonable duties and activities that contribute to the furtherance of the goals of the chaplaincy team. 

Person Specification 

This is a specialist position requiring appropriate qualifications and experience of organising and leading religious services. You must be able to produce evidence of appropriate accreditation within the Buddhist community for the provision of religious services or ministry. 

YOU MUST BE ELIGIBLE FOR CTC CLEARANCE, YOU MUST HAVE A VALID BRITISH PASSPORT, OR EU PASSPORT WITH SHARE CODE, HAVE LIVED AND WORKED IN THE UK FOR 3 YEARS WITH NO EXTENDED TRIPS OVERSEAS, HAVE NO CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS OR BE PART OF AN ONGOING POLICE INVESTIGATION.