Disability Ministry Development - Consultant

Purpose and Scope

To support the Diocese of Phoenix in its mission to Encounter the Living Christ. The Diocese of Phoenix is seeking an experienced Catholic ministry consultant to help establish a sustainable diocesan support system that strengthens the ability of parishes to welcome, accompany, and include children and adults with disabilities and their families in the full life of the Church.

Working in collaboration with the Office of Evangelization, Discipleship and Spirituality, the consultant will assess current diocesan and parish needs, recommend a strategic and operational framework, develop practical parish resources and formation, assist with selected pilot activities, and prepare diocesan staff to oversee and sustain this ministry after the engagement concludes.

Essential Job Functions

• Conduct a diocesan and parish needs assessment through document review and stakeholder consultation.
• Develop a strategic plan, governance model, and phased implementation roadmap for diocesan disability ministry support.
• Recommend a sustainable role and structure for the diocesan advisory committee.
• Design a scalable parish disability ministry liaison or advocate model.
• Create parish assessment, planning, communication, and referral tools.
• Develop or curate formation and resources related to welcome, belonging, accessibility, catechesis, sacramental preparation, and participation in parish life.
• Support a limited pilot with selected parishes and refine the model based on feedback.
• Prepare a sustainability and transition plan for continued diocesan oversight.

Additional Job Functions

• Provide project updates and presentations to diocesan leadership.
• Perform other consulting duties required for successful project completion.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• An active, practicing Catholic in good standing with a strong understanding of Catholic theology, ecclesiology, parish life, and sacramental ministry.
• Demonstrated experience with disability ministry, inclusion, accessibility, adaptive catechesis, or related pastoral support.
• Experience conducting needs assessments, facilitating stakeholders, developing strategic plans, and creating sustainable programs or ministry systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with persons with disabilities and their families, clergy, diocesan leaders, parish staff, volunteers, and community partners.
• Strong project management, writing, facilitation, organizational, and presentation skills.
• A relevant graduate degree is preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and substantial relevant experience.
• Ability to travel throughout the Diocese of Phoenix as reasonably necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active practicing Catholic in good standing.
• Relevant graduate degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated success developing ministry, nonprofit, or organizational programs.
• Ability to travel throughout the Diocese of Phoenix as reasonably necessary.

Work Environment

Combination of remote work, diocesan meetings, parish visits, and stakeholder engagement.

Physical Demands

Regular communication, meeting facilitation, travel, and standard professional consulting activities.

Other Duties

This description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties. Responsibilities may change as project needs evolve.