The British Academy – the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences - is seeking an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Manager to join our Governance & Fellowship Office, providing key support in the delivery of the Academy’s overall EDI ambitions across all aspects of its work.

ROLE PURPOSE / OVERVIEW

Working closely with the Academy’s senior management and workstream leads within other teams, you will oversee the delivery of the Academy’s ambitious EDI activity and strategy. With experience of supporting and delivering EDI initiatives in similar contexts (HE, research funding, fellowship bodies or the charity sector), you will be responsible for both overseeing current and ongoing EDI activity, as well as initiating new areas of work as needed.

You will need excellent communication skills, be able to liaise and report internally across all levels as well as provide high quality external communications and act as an ambassador for the Academy and its work.

You will have up to date knowledge of the statutory and best practice contexts of EDI matters and be able to bring these to inform the Academy’s activity, acting as both internal adviser across Teams and the Fellowship and an ally for staff, researchers and the audiences we serve. You will have an understanding of the specific EDI challenges within the UK HE funding and research sector, and work closely with internal and external partners to develop responses and new initiatives. You will have the opportunity to design and deliver new EDI initiatives, as well as influence our governance and accountability processes to ensure EDI outcomes are measurable and effective. You will play a key role in implementing the Academy’s cross-cutting EDI strategy, and ensuring this is evidence based and supports our role as a key player in the UK HE and Research landscape.

This post sits within the Governance and Fellowship Office and reports directly to the Head of Fellowship Engagement & Governance. This Team supports the Chief Executive and the President of the British Academy, as well as its executive and strategic committees (Council and Senior Management Team). The Office also provides core Fellowship support, including their biannual meetings, nomination and election processes and a number of Fellowship engagement activities. This means that not only will your EDI activity be embedded across the main governance functions of the Academy, but you will also have the opportunity to work closely with senior stakeholders and decision makers across all of our work.

OFFICE LOCATION - 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, St James Park, London, SW1Y 5AH

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leading EDI activity

• Monitor and review progress against agreed EDI deliverables and report to SMT/Council as appropriate

• Provide oversight, advice and guidance to the EDI workstreams within Academy Teams, particularly around opportunities for sharing best practice, training etc

• Convene workstream leads and relevant staff regularly, including running workshops/away days to share achievements, latest developments and best practice

• Deliver EDI Governance and accountability processes including acting as secretariat for the main bodies responsible for delivery of EDI matters (Council advisory sub group, Staff Diversity Group). Secretariat duties include organising meetings, commissioning and issuing papers, monitoring actions and minute taking.

• Support other initiatives including affinity groups, staff awareness sessions etc

• Liaise with Fellows, VPs and other committees as required, driving decision making at pace

Driving the Academy’s EDI strategy and setting of long term goals

• Oversee the finalisation, publishing and delivery of the EDI strategy and principles, including setting deliverable objectives and longer term ambitions

• Ensure our EDI activity is evidence based, that objectives are measurable and to identify where more data or analysis is needed to support prioritisation

• Oversee the creation of workstream action plans, helping to steer these through the appropriate governance mechanisms, negotiating between different views and opinions, and seeking approval at senior leadership and Council level

• Develop and review processes to monitor the delivery of our EDI strategy and report to Council/SMT as required.

Embedding EDI considerations across the Academy’s Fellowship and Workforce

• Act as an advocate and internal adviser on matters relating to EDI

• Develop and nurture networks (internal and external) of advice and best practice and utilise these for the benefit of the Academy

• Share knowledge internally, offering advice or sourcing training and consultancy as appropriate.

Communications and Data

• Draft and publish internal and external communications pertaining to EDI matters, for different audiences including, annual report, webpages, staff and Fellows newsletters.

• Write reports/updates for Council/SMT based on internal data,, working closely with other team members to ensure their action plans are supported by evidence

• Support other data initiatives as appropriate, including data collection or analysis of sector-wide evidence, working with our internal data holders and/or the Monitoring & Evaluation Team.

• Ensure we make consistent use of our data capturing and reporting software (CRM) and exemplify best practice in terms of data management.

Other Duties

• Ensure compliance with GDPR regulations, particularly in how we handle Fellow’s personal data

• Contribute to other projects or support the team with the delivery of other activity as required

• Take responsibility for your own personal development

• Connect with colleagues in sister Academies to share knowledge and best practice

Key Stakeholders

Internal

• Chief Executive and President of the British Academy

• Vice Presidents for Humanities and Social Sciences

• Directors, Heads and workstream leads

• Chairs of EDI groups and committees.

External

• Peers in other organisations

• External members of Council EDI Advisory Group

• ECRN members

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

N/A

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Works and communicates effectively

• Is proactive in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with others internally and externally

• Is sensitive to different working styles and views, adapting where appropriate

• Is willing and able to compromise and negotiate, including to resolve possible conflicts

• Is willing to challenge preconceptions and encourage critical reflection, whilst being sensitive to different perspectives

• Handles difficult situations with sensitivity & respect

• Communicates effectively with staff across departments an at all levels of seniority, including Trustees/VPs.

• Promotes a positive impression of the Academy both internally and externally

• Encourages commitment & positivity in self and others

• Takes a consultative and collaborative approach, utilising the insights of Fellows and colleagues to deliver change in the most effective way.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Demonstrates and develops appropriate knowledge and skills

•  Knowledge and understanding of the regulatory context of EDI issues

• Has worked in EDI in a professional context and successfully implemented EDI initiatives

• Awareness of specific EDI challenges in the higher education funding and policy realms

• Keeps abreast of broader debates around diversity, social context and shifting sensitivities

• Makes suggestions for improving the way things are done

• Shares knowledge, insights and skills with others

• Identifies ways to support the development and knowledge of other colleagues, particularly with regard to EDI matters

PROACTIVITY AND PLANNING

Manages time and resources effectively in order to achieve own and organisational objectives

• Prioritises tasks to meet deadlines, including short and longer term objectives

• Displays resilience in coping with workload or competing timelines

• Sets clear and structured objectives

• Keeps relevant colleagues informed and seeks input at early stages of planning

• Evaluates and manages risks effectively, including barriers to progress and organisational/reputational risks

• Monitors progress effectively and adapts plans where possible

• Agrees timescales with others and prompts/chases as appropriate

PROBLEM SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING

Ensures good decisions are made through a rational and methodical approach

• Identifies problems and opportunities and acts on them

• Has a pro-active, can do, attitude, taking personal responsibility for correcting problems or resolving issues

• Focuses on solutions and manages pressure

• Uses data and evidence to support decision making and recommendations made to others

• Anticipates obstacles and thinks ahead

• Sets the right balance between referring decisions to the appropriate level and taking things forward without referral

• Takes a flexible approach to their work, happy to take on different responsibilities in the interests of the Academy

LEADERSHIP

Gives a clear sense of direction while inspiring others with vision and actions

• Inspires personal trust, engenders kinship around a shared vision

• Shows integrity and wisdom, decisiveness and consistency, sincerity and honesty, especially under pressure

• Tackles and owns difficult issues, resolves rather than avoids conflict

• Looks to the medium and long-term future, anticipates change

• Enables and empowers others to effect change

WORKPLACE VALUES

The Academy’s workplace values and supporting text are set out below. We share these core values with each other. They guide how we work together and with others. We demonstrate them through our behaviours.

COLLABORATION- We consistently work together to a common purpose, supporting each other, communicating openly and sharing knowledge. We are flexible and adaptable, receiving feedback constructively

CREATIVITY - We bring imagination and curiosity to our work, valuing learning, diverse thinking, and innovation. We are open-minded, receptive, and responsive, taking account of alternative perspectives

EMPATHY-We are understanding, sensitive, compassionate, and considerate, mindful of our own wellbeing alongside that of others

EXCELLENCE - We always do our best, without striving to be perfect, applying our expertise and experience to develop and grow

INTEGRITY - We are open and honest with each other, accepting personal responsibility and demonstrating loyalty. We are reliable and dependable, having belief that we will be transparent and clear

RESILIENCE - We are confident, bold, and tenacious, knowing when to listen as well as when to speak up. We respond positively to challenges and overcome problems

RESPECT - We are inclusive in our regard for each other, showing courtesy and appreciation. We treat people fairly and equally, welcoming everyone’s contribution and difference

APPLICATION PROCESS

We have a two-step approach to hiring, beginning with submitting an application through the Applied platform. This will be followed by a panel interview and may involve a task component.

Please note that you may be asked to reference any literature that you may refer to, as applications that are highly plagiarised and not your own work. e.g. ChatGPT, will be declined.

The deadline for applications is 12 August 2024, however, we may close this role sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.  In these circumstances we will give those who have shown interest 24 hours notice of the change of deadline.

Interviews for this role are currently scheduled for 22 August 2024 but this may be subject to change.