
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager
The British Academy
- Closing: 12:00pm, 5th Oct 2023 BST
Job Description
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.
You can find out more about the British Academy here, including our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.
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, to be able to liaise and report internally across all levels but also to 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, but also to influence our governance and accountability processes to ensure EDI outcomes are measurable and effective. You will play a key role in shaping and delivering 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
To monitor and review progress against agreed EDI deliverables and reporting to SMT/Council as appropriate
To provide oversight, advice and guidance to workstreams, particularly around opportunities for sharing best practice, training etc
To convene workstream leads and SROs regularly, including running workshops/away days to share achievements, developments and best practice
Delivering EDI Governance and accountability process including acting as secretariat for the main bodies responsible for delivery of EDI matters (Council advisory sub group, Staff Diversity Group)
To support other initiatives including affinity groups, staff awareness sessions etc
To 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
To oversee the drafting and delivery of the EDI strategy and principles, including setting deliverable objectives and longer term ambitions
To ensure our EDI activity is evidence based, that objectives are measurable and to identify where more data or analysis is needed to support prioritisation
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
To act as an advocate and internal adviser on matters relating to EDI
To develop and nurture networks of advice and best practice and utilise these for the benefit of the Academy
To share knowledge internally, offering advice or sourcing training and consultancy as appropriate.
Communications and data
To draft and publish internal and external communications pertaining to EDI matters, for different audiences including (e.g.) in annual report, webpages, staff newsletter, Fellows newsletter
Writing internal reports/updates for Council/SMT based on internal data
To support other data initiatives as appropriate, including data collection or analysis of sector-wide evidence.
Other Duties
Ensuring compliance with GDPR regulations, particularly in how we handle Fellow’s personal details
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
The British Academy Early Career Researcher Network members
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
QUALIFICATIONS
A degree in a humanities or social sciences subject would be preferable but is not essential.
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
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Must have the right to work in the UK
BRITISH ACADEMY 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, which could incorporate a task or presentation 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.
Interviews are currently scheduled to begin 20 October 2023.
Removing bias from the hiring process
Applications closed Thu 5th Oct 2023
Removing bias from the hiring process
- Your application will be anonymously reviewed by our hiring team to ensure fairness
- You won't need a CV to apply to this job
Applications closed Thu 5th Oct 2023