Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Job Description

Location: Flexible - York/London, UK (Hybrid role, minimum of 2 days per week office based)About usThe Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is a UK-wide independent social change organisation, working to support and speed up the transition to a more equitable and just future, free from poverty, where people and planet can flourish.Our values

• We are built on trust
• We show we care
• We make a difference

Purpose of the roleResponsibility for fulfilling JRF’s commitment to equality sits with all members of staff: we each have an obligation to lead in this area. The purpose of the role of the JRF Head of EDI is to support people across the organisation to fulfil these commitments.About youThe Head of EDI is a new and exciting role. As the subject matter expert, you will work closely with the JRF CEO and the Executive team, providing support, but also challenge - helping to ensure creative and ambitious leadership in this area. JRF is committedto challenging unequal power and social injustice through the work that we do, and in our partnerships and communications, and we want to foster an organisational culture in JRF which aligns with that commitment. We want our internal organisational cultureto match the ambitions we have set out in our wider external strategy on equality and helping us to achieve that will be a particular focus of the role. But we also want the Head of EDI to engage with that external work too, helping us live up to our statedprinciples and mission.Key Responsibilities

• Working closely with the CEO and Executive, ensure JRF has an ambitious and properly resourced programme of work to move us closer to our stated ambitions on equity and inclusion, including our commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation. Co-ordinate,contribute and champion the development and delivery of this work programme, putting in place suitable arrangements for monitoring progress, reporting back and ensuring progress is made.
• Champion an inclusive and respectful culture for JRF where everyone can bring their whole self to work, identifying areas where improvements are needed.
• Lead and manage the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
• Enable and support JRF staff to understand and apply an equity-led approach to their work with organisational partners and wider communities.
• Working closely with the senior HR leader in JRF, and HR colleagues, ensure that an ED lens is applied rigorously to the review of all HR policies and practices - including recruitment, induction, pay and progression, learning and development.
• Working closely with the senior HR leaders in JRF, ensure the offer - and expectations - around learning and development on issues of EDI is strong within JRF for all staff, providing opportunities for collective and personal learning and reflection, whilehelping to ensure everyone feels accountable to deliver our ambitions.
• Ensure robust collection and monitoring of EDI information, making sure the organisation uses this to honestly appraise its own performance, identify areas for further progress, and fulfil all charity commission and other legal obligations e.g., aroundpay gaps.
• Direct responsibility for shaping and managing significant dedicated EDI budgets, and significant influence on total JRF spend of circa £16m.
• Work closely with theJoseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT)Head of EDI to ensure effective coordination of Group-wide EDI work where appropriate.
• Connect with other social change organisations, foundations, think tanks and others to build networks, share best practice across the sector and ensure JRF plays a full role in wider sector movements on equity.

Person SpecificationExperience & KnowledgeWe are not necessarily looking for someone with specialist qualifications for this role, however you would need to be the organisations Subject Matter Expert for EDI and would be expected to have significant experience in equality, equity, diversity andinclusion. We are interested to receive applications from anyone with the following qualities:

• Able to demonstrate how a deep commitment to EDI and the role of a social change organisation plays in shaping a more equitable future.
• Strong strategic mindset, but grounded in compassion and empathy for the diversity of professional and personal experiences contained with JRF
• A trusted advisor, a thought leader, and an effective communicator
• A strategic thinker and also a do-er’
• Knowledge and understanding of the protected characteristics/Equality Act 2010 and relevant legislation relating to EDI
• Experienced in designing and delivering programmes delivery structures, tools and policies that have had a meaningful and visible impact on organisational success.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to manage budgets and deliver projects on time.
• Able to develop and maintain strong and trusting relationships at all levels in the organisation to facilitate the development of a safe and inclusive culture.
• Able to develop and maintain strong and trusting relationships at all levels in the organisation to facilitate the development of a safe and inclusive culture.
• Able to positively and constructively challenge the status quo as a way of catalysing change to fairer and more equitable outcomes.

JRF is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us and we are particularly interested in applications from people from all backgrounds. We know that a commitmentto equity must run through all aspects of our work: from the partners we engage or fund, through our research, to our own internal culture and commitment to inclusion. That is why, through our work, we centre the experiences of those who are so often disadvantagedby structural barriers - people who are disabled, those from minoritised ethnic communities and individuals who suffer discrimination based on their sexual orientation.

Keyskills :
EDIFoundationLeadershipStrategySupport