Equality Challenge Unit: Equality charters adviser, fixed term contract for 6 months with potential to extend, subject to funding
Equality Challenge Unit
Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) is the recognised body that works to further and support equality and diversity for staff and students in higher education across all four nations of the UK, and in colleges in Scotland.
For further details about ECU, please visit our website:
Recruitment
ECU is currently seeking to recruit anEquality charters adviser.
Salary: £33,093 pro rata per annum (pay award pending)
General description of the post
We are seeking to recruit an Equality charters adviser to provide strategic and operational support to the development of the Athena SWAN Charter in the UK and Ireland.
ECU welcomes applications from all candidates irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.
Benefits include 27 days holiday per year plus bank holidays and four additional days, flexi-time and pension scheme.
Please download the application form and further details from request an application pack call 020 7438 1010 (24-hour answerphone).
Application and interview
Applications will be assessed against the requirements for the post as set out in the job description and person specification, which can be downloaded
The deadline for applications for theEquality charters adviser role isMonday 15 June at 12 noon. We hope to hold interviews for this roleonThursday 2 July 2015. We aim to notify candidates who have been shortlisted byWednesday 16 June2015.
Application forms should be returned to Victoria Walter, Events and Resources Manager, Equality Challenge Unit, 7th Floor Queens House, 55/56 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LJ or by email to
General description of the post
This post will report to the Equality Charters Manager and will provide strategic and operational support to the development of the Athena SWAN Charter in the UK and Ireland. The Athena SWAN Charter is a recognition scheme for the commitment to advancing gender equality in academia. It is owned and managed by Equality Challenge Unit (ECU).
This job is based in London but will require frequent travel within the UK and Ireland. The post holder should be able to work independently and to exercise sound judgment on complex issues/queries. Liaison and development with key external agencies will be a feature of the work.
Specific responsibilities
=To provide strategic and operational leadership on the Athena SWAN Charter and other projects, pursuant to ECU’s current three-year strategy. This may involve working across different protected characteristics and appointing and managing external consultants.
=Together with the other Equality Charters Advisers, to oversee the twice yearly Athena SWAN Charter awards rounds, including:
- Moderating judging panels
- Preparing feedback letters for submitting institutions and departments
- Organising theawards ceremonies, with the support of the Equality Charters Officer
=To plan and, jointly with other ECU colleagues, to deliver workshops on Athena SWAN for UK and Irish higher education institutions. To develop the Athena SWAN materials to ensure consideration of the Irish context.
=Jointly with the Equality Charters Manager, to manage an annual awards cycle for Irish higher education institutions by:
- Moderating judging panels
- Preparing feedback letters for submitting institutions and departments
- Organising the awards ceremony
=To act as a point of contact for Irish higher education institutions enquiring about Athena SWAN or wishing to discuss feedback on submissions, responding effectively and swiftly to such queries.
=To promote the Athena SWAN Charter and its benefits by speaking at relevant events.
=To support the other Equality Charters Advisers and the Equality Charters Officer by note-taking at panels.
=Jointly with the other Equality Charters Advisers, to attend the regional networks for Athena SWAN Charter members.
=Jointly with the other Equality Charters Advisers, to prepare the Athena SWAN Charter Annual Report, guidance, publicity and marketing materials and other documents.
=To represent ECU on stakeholder forums and advisory groups and provide expert input on Athena SWAN as appropriate.
=To undertake commissioned work on behalf of ECU as and when required.
=To deputise for the Equality Charters Manager as appropriate.
Person specification
Educational requirements
=A degree or equivalent evidence of analytical, communication and problem-solving ability.
Essential experience and attributes
=Experience of addressing equality and diversity issues, preferably within a higher education institution and an up-to-date knowledge of gender equality issues.
=Understanding of positive action initiatives that advance gender equality.
=An up-to-date knowledge of gender equality and wider diversity issues, in particular an understanding and awareness of specific issues relevant to academic, professional and support staff working within higher education.
=Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce and deliver clear and comprehensible documents, presentations and advice for various audiences.
=Ability to challenge the opinion of those in authority with tact and diplomacy.
=Ability to foster cooperative working and learning relationships with external partners.
=Good analytical skills with the ability to collate and analyse complex material and data, and present it in accessible forms.
=Project management skills, with the ability to manage and deliver on schedule several projects at once and make appropriate decisions independently with minimal supervision.
=Excellent IT skills with the ability to research on the internet and make full use of databases, and PowerPoint. ECU currently uses Microsoft Office 2013.
Desirable experience and attributes
=Knowledge of the higher education system and context in Ireland.
=Understanding of the development of research careers and the research funding structures in Ireland.