Head of Equality

Job Description

Location: Hybrid / London, UK - BSB Offices, 289-293 High Holborn, WC1V 7HZ Majority Home Worker (minimum 4 days per month in the office)The BSBThe Bar Standards Board (BSB) regulates barristers and their professional practice and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. We are responsible for setting education and training requirements, setting standards,authorising organisations, monitoring the service provided, and handling complaints. Barristers work at the heart of our justice system so BSB’s mission is fundamentally important to the maintenance of the rule of law. It is an exciting time to join the organisation,as we deliver a transformational change programme that will demonstrate good practice and bring benefits to consumers of legal services.Our VisionWe will ensure that the BSB regulates the Bar in the public interest by promoting high standards, diversity and access to justice.Our ValuesFairness and RespectIndependence and IntegrityExcellence and EfficiencyPurpose of the RoleLead on the BSB’s priority to promote equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar, whilst proving executive leadership to the organisation on equality, diversity and inclusion matters. Set longterm outcomes for the profession and work with stakeholdersto achieve those.General Responsibilities

• Strategic thought leadership, challenging the BSB and the profession to achieve improved diversity and a more inclusive culture and setting clear long term goals
• Lead programmes of work to review or amend the BSB’s regulatory arrangements relating to equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Put in place systems to ensure appropriate governance and delivery of projects, with appropriate project and programme management
• Provide thought leadership on equality, diversity and inclusion, and management across the BSB, contributing to the strategic direction of the organisation by:

1. Contributing to the strategic and business planning processes;
2. Developing a departmental business plan and budget; and
3. Contributing own expertise to enable continuous improvement across the organisation.

• Lead responsibility for stakeholder engagement on equality, diversity and inclusion issues. This will include undertaking speaking or other external engagements on behalf of the BSB focusing particularly on outreach to under-represented groups.
• Develop and implement policies and strategies that promote equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar
• Develop and deliver learning events for stakeholders on areas related to equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession
• Leadership and management of the equality and access to justice policy team, including:

1. Budgetary and business planning responsibility for the operation of business plan and emerging activity;
2. Line management, development and coaching of the members of the team (initially one direct report).

• Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion good practice across the BSB by providing expertise and input to programmes, projects, polices, learning initiatives and events.
• Deputising for the Director of Strategy and Policy where appropriate.
• Other such tasks which the Director of Strategy and Policy may assign from time to time.
• Maintain up to date knowledge of the Legal Services Board’s Internal Governance Rules and an awareness of how they apply to the organisation to ensure regulatory independence
• Fulfil the role of Data and Information Owner as set out in the Data Management, Retention and Disposal Policy for the data managed in the Team, including ensuring that regular data disposal takes place and that data protection impact assessments are carriedout before any new processing of personal data takes place, if necessary.

Knowledge

• Knowledge, understanding and experience of implementing and managing policy development in regulatory or similar context
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity law and policy and related training
• methodologies
• Understanding of standard project management principles
• An understanding of the principles of leadership and influence at senior levels
• Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline

Skills

• Personal credibility with senior stakeholders and the ability to make decisions quickly
• Collaborative working, with excellent interpersonal, influencing and networking skills
• Excellent project management, organisational, operational and forward planning skills
• Gravitas in dealing with difficult situations, people and issues
• Commitment to continuous learning and development, including making a difference across the organisation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, presenting complex information and difficult messages clearly and The Bar Standards Board persuasively
• Excellent planning skills and proven ability to develop innovative services
• Well developed strategic thinking and analytical skills

Experience

• Experience of developing complex policy in a regulatory or other challenging environment
• Experience of providing training on equality and diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
• Public speaking and presentations
• Well networked with relevant professional bodies/organisations
• Leadership and line/performance management
• Providing expert advice on equality and diversity matters

The Bar Standard Board aims to recruit a talented workforce and values the diversity in background, skills and experience of its staff. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity for all job applicants irrespective of race, sex, disability, age,religion or belief, sexual orientation, maternity or pregnancy, marital or civil partnership status or gender re-assignment.

Keyskills :
DiversityEqualityInclusionStrategic ThinkingStakeholder Engagement