About us

We are Britain’s national equality regulator and a United Nations accredited ‘A status’ national human rights institution.

We uphold people’s rights without fear or favour. We use the full force of our legal powers to defend people from unfair or unequal treatment and to challenge breaches of the law. We advise on developing laws and provide guidance, training and support to enable compliance.

We bring people together to create change. We work with employers, governments and a wide range of organisations, to promote understanding of equality and human rights and we support them to make improvements in practice.

Our strategy for 2022-25 gives us a strong platform to show that we will use our powers to protect and promote equality and human rights, and that we have identified the main challenges in society where we can make a difference in our role as a regulator.

Overview of the role and responsibilities

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is looking for a Press Officer to join its friendly and high-performing team, dealing with crucial subjects that are never out of the news.

The role would ideally suit someone with a background in journalism (print or broadcast), or someone with experience of a busy press office.

As a key part of our team, you will protect and enhance our reputation, ensuring people know who we are, what we do and what we stand for.

First and foremost, you’ll act as the first port of call for journalists, providing a reactive and proactive media handling service. You’ll shape messages and create stories that resonate and cut through noise, correcting the record and promoting our good work.

With a sharp eye and solid understanding of newsrooms and the media, you will be able to spot risks and opportunities and give trusted advice.

You will work closely with the EHRC’s leadership team and Board, demonstrating your media handling expertise and professionalism by supporting them to engage with the media.   

You’ll be able to see through complexity, to understand and explain difficult issues. You’ll produce strong statements, press releases, op-eds, media handling plans, creative content so those outside the EHRC know the value of our work. You’ll also produce concise media analyses, so that people inside the EHRC know what’s being reported and how we’re being presented.

Dealing with a variety of topics from gender pay gaps to human rights monitoring, your every work day will be complex, varied and fascinating – and make a real difference to people’s lives

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

The full list of Knowledge, Skills and Experience required for the role can be found in the Candidate Pack.

Benefits

In return you can expect to receive a competitive salary, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (full time FTE) and access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme and partnership pension schemes.

We will provide investment in your career, giving you access to Civil Service Learning, our peer learning programme, specialist training and mentoring.  

We offer a range of family friendly benefits, such as enhanced parental leave, flexible working including non-contractual hybrid working.

You will also have access to our wellbeing offering, including our employee assistance programme, mental health first aiders, health checks, discount gym membership and retail discounts, cycle to work scheme and other salary sacrifice options. In addition, we have a range of staff networks and social groups.

How to apply

If this sounds like the role for you, please review the attached Candidate Pack for more information and submit your application today!

If you encounter any problems with Applied or have a question about the recruitment process, please contact Becky Roberts, HR & Recruitment Officer, Becky.Roberts@equalityhumanrights.com  

Disability Confident Leader

As a Disability Confident Leader, the Equality and Human Rights Commission offers an interview for people with disabilities (as defined by the Equality Act 2010 and The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004) and who meet the minimum criteria for this appointment.

Where high numbers of applications are received, the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria for the role may only be invited to interview. If you wish to apply for consideration under this scheme, please complete the appropriate section on the online application form. This will enable us to make the appropriate arrangements, if necessary.

If you require an alternative accessible version of the application form or wish to discuss your application or reasonable adjustment – please contact us by email at Becky.Roberts@equalityhumanrights.com or by telephone on 0161 829 8100

Diversity in our workforce

At the Commission, we are proud of our respectful workplace that values the contribution of all our staff, whatever their background.  We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open competition, with appointment on merit. We welcome applications from everyone to ensure we achieve a balanced representation in our workforce in all grades.