Equality & Diversity

Grade 7: - £34,304 - £40,927 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 01/08/2022 - 18/08/2023
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 09-Jun-2022, 6:59:00 AM

The Department and role purpose

Durham University recognises that providing equality of opportunity, valuing diversity and promoting a culture of inclusion are vital to our success. With EDI running throughout the University Strategy and our values, we help to create a working, learning and social environment in which individuals can utilise their skills and talents to the full.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit works in partnership with academic and professional service colleagues across the University to provide specialist support and advice across the EDI portfolio of work at Durham. We are looking for a talented, self-motivated and innovative EDI professional to join our team in the role of EDI Lead. This is an exciting time to join our team, we have just appointed our first Pro-Vice Chancellor for EDI, 21 of our 24 Departments hold an Athena Swan award, with the rest working towards submitting and after signing up to the Race Equality Charter in 2019 we are about to submit our first application.

Our team works to deliver key events, activities and initiatives across the EDI calendar, and provides specialist support and guidance to academic, professional support and student facing areas. Working collaboratively, both within and outside the University you will develop and implement policies and initiatives to promote an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.

You will have excellent knowledge around EDI issues and legislation and have experience in leading EDI initiatives, ideally in a Higher Education setting. Excellent project management skills are vital, along with the ability to coordinate input from a wide range of stakeholders across the organisation, in the delivery of our Gender Equality and Race Equality Action plans.

Data analysis and presentation forms a significant part of what we do, so good technical and data presentation skills are a must, along with the ability to synthesize data from a range of sources, draw conclusions and provide a compelling narrative for a range of audiences.

You will be an excellent communicator, with well developed written, verbal and social media skills, and the ability to produce content for a range of channels and audiences. A flexible and proactive approach along with the ability to exercise tact and discretion to deal with issues sensitively is key, along with the ability to build excellent working relationships with colleagues.

This post is fixed term until 18th August 2023 as a maternity cover. Applications are welcomed from all candidates including those who are internal and wish to apply as a secondment opportunity. (subject to the agreement of their current line manager)

Core responsibilities:

• Recognised professional practitioner and service specialist.
• Implement changes to the design and development of service processes, techniques and deliverables for one or more service strands or project streams.
• Act as specialist point of contact, dealing with complex data and information sources, interpretation and analysis, including conducting surveys, collating, analysing and presenting relevant workforce and student profile data.
• Collect and analyse stakeholder feedback to help define needs and requirements and the design and planning of services.
• Contribute to the development of operational service activities to ensure excellence in the stakeholder experience.
• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working, networking and participation to engage and influence future services and the University’s reputation.
• Identify and design activities to meet learning objectives and outcomes in line with the University’s strategic direction.
• Deliver training, teaching and/or development delivery for stakeholders.
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals such as widening participation and access, and provision of advice using specialist knowledge.
• Contribute to and lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at departmental and operational service levels.
• Responsible for managing small budgets for consumables and some capital items, keeping records and processing invoices.

Role responsibilities:

• Maintain an awareness of current equality issues in the sector; gathering and analysing national data to provide benchmarking statistics in support of EDI initiatives.
• Promote EDI related projects internally and externally (to include the use of multi-media platforms) including producing promotional material, organising best practice and discussion forums.
• Provide management for stakeholder service areas and/or processes ensuring a high-quality and timely service to all stakeholders, including prospective, existing and past students and staff.
• Contribute to operational leadership teams and decision making to shape the nature and level of support services.
• Support ongoing work towards equality charter marks both at institutional and departmental level including associated action plans.
• Analyse EDI service data and provide reports to Service Heads making recommendations for improvement as appropriate.
• Provide proactive and comprehensive EDI input and support to Heads of Service, School and/or Department to achieve strategic and operational priorities.
• Provide advice and assistance with equality impact analysis to stakeholders in relation to University, School and or Department policy, procedures and regulations.
• Ensure the review and improvement of data and process systems and procedures in line with University, School, Department or unit frameworks.
• Distribute service information and provide advice to stakeholders regarding compliance and regulations to help meet the requirements of the Equality Act.
• Ensure regulations and procedures are updated to take account of internal and external changes.
• Coordinate and provide business support to key University EDI committees and working groups.
• Provide training and/or instruction to stakeholders on key EDI policies and projects.
• Awareness of the external environment and maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of EDI developments within and beyond the HE sector including nationally published reports and disseminating best practice.
• Organise events which support EDI priorities and expand the breadth of work across the University.
• Any other reasonable duties

Working Arrangements

At Durham we recognise that our staff and students are our greatest asset and we want to support the health and wellbeing of all. Hybrid working supports this ethos and provides many benefits to our colleagues, including empowering people, where their role allows, to work in a manner which is more suitable for them, whilst encouraging our commitment to environmental sustainability.

Depending on the needs of the business and the job role, Durham University is piloting hybrid working for all Professional Services colleagues in the academic year 2021/2022, which may include the opportunity to work both on and off campus and to flex working hours. If appointed to the post, your line-manager will discuss the specific arrangements with you. Any hybrid arrangements are non-contractual and may change within the pilot and when the pilot ends.

Reward and Benefits

To support the delivery of the University's People Strategy to attract, retain and reward the very best, we offer a fantastic range of rewards and benefits to our staff, including:

• 30 days annual leave, plus 4 customary days and 8 bank holidays (pro-rata for part time) and the option to purchase additional leave;
• Automatic enrolment into a pension scheme;
• Corporate and local discounts;
• Wellbeing resources and discounted health benefits;
• Health discounts on sports and activities at Maiden Castle Health and Activity Centre;
• Reward and Recognition Schemes;
• Personal and career development;
• And SO much more, with further information available here

Recruiting to this post

In order to be considered for interview, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification. In some cases, the recruiting panel may also consider the desirable criteria, so we recommend you evidence all criteria in your application.

Please note that some criteria will only be considered at interview stage.

Please note: Candidate’s applying via Redeployment are only eligible to apply for a post at the same Grade or one Grade lower.

How to apply

We prefer to receive applications online.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

Information if you have a disability

The University welcomes applications from disabled people. We are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk.

What you are required to submit

1. A CV;
2. A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential, with examples of how you meet requirements set out in the essential and desirable criteria;

Please ensure that you submit all documentation listed above or your application cannot proceed to the next stage.

Contact details

For further information regarding this post, please contact; Rachel Archbold - rachel.archbold@durham.ac.uk

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.

At Durham University, our aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

As a University we foster a collegiate community of extraordinary people aligned to the University’s values. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive, and in doing so, recruit the world’s best candidates from all backgrounds and identities. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

Person specification - skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience required

Essential Criteria

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to develop excellent working relationships both internally and externally.
2. Proven IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office.
3. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
4. Proven analytical and problem solving capability.
5. Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise used to contribute to the delivery and development of people related services, events and activities within the organisation.
6. Experience of implementing policy and procedures and involvement with future changes for a service area.
7. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
8. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
9. Experience of being able to network effectively and develop strong and productive working relationships, to influence perceptions of the University.
10. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues and conversations with tact, diplomacy and discretion.
11. Experience in managing projects with multiple deliverables from a range of contributors spanning the organisation.
12. Experience of working in a comparable EDI role preferably in a Higher Education setting.
13. Understanding of equality legislation and its application within a public/HEI sector environment.

Desirable Criteria

• A relevant postgraduate or professional qualification.
• Previous experience of working on Athena SWAN or Race Equality Chartermarks or similar EDI initiatives.
• Experience of using multiple datasets, with sources such as HEIDI data and PowerBI or their equivalent to produce high quality infographics and narratives.
• Experience of design and delivery of surveys using appropriate software.
• Experience of managing or supervising individuals or project teams.
• Experience of using web content management systems and databases.
• Continuing professional development required to maintain professional recognition.

Durham University

OUR CHARACTERISTICS: We are a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, in a unique and historic setting.

OUR VALUES: We are inspiring, challenging, innovative, responsible and enabling.

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Business, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

It is expected that all staff within the University:

• Contribute to our learning culture by engaging in mentoring, training and coaching.
• Positively contribute to fostering a collegial environment; as well as demonstrating commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Have due regard to Health and Safety requirements appropriate to grade and role.

Family key attributes

Roles in this family provide a comprehensive service and deliver the efficient administration and governance of the University.

Overall family purpose

• Deliver direct and indirect services to stakeholders.
• Provide advice and answer queries as part of an enquiry-desk/help-desk function.
• Respond to and manage requests for information and resources.
• Deliver services to meet regulatory requirements and procedures.
• Plan and deliver a joined-up approach to University business and people services.
• Align business processes and services to meet operational and strategic policy objectives.
• Deliver business processes to ensure effective management, governance and the economic viability of the University.
• Encourage, collaborate and participate in the development of productive cross-institution relationships and working.
• Provide excellent professional services that meet strategic and operational goals and business needs.
• Carry out monitoring, analysis, development and planning to design new services and service updates for continuous improvement whilst meeting changes in regulations.
• Engage with specialist professionals, consultants, and suppliers to exchange knowledge and facilitate partnership working.
• Work collaboratively and network across the University with staff in other families to ensure a smooth, timely and high-quality delivery of service.
• Align and deliver programmes and activities to meet operational and strategic objectives to enhance the stakeholder experience.
• Engage and encourage participation with external professionals, schools, alumni and donors.

Link to key strategic plan

• An economically sustainable approach to delivering Professional Services across the University;
• A joined-up approach to University professional services, regardless of location or line management;
• A culture and practice of continuous improvement;
• Design services that meet business need;
• A stakeholder-focused orientation, offering satisfying careers to all staff;
• Support and facilitate programmes that offer intellectual challenge, cohesiveness and a strong sense of progression;
• Ensure that an increasingly diverse workforce is treated equally, fairly and with respect, and that all staff are demonstrably valued and actively engaged.

DBS Requirement: Not Applicable.