Engagement & Equalities Officer

Warwickshire Police; Warwick; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000

Job description

Job Purpose

To support strategic planning on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI), including objective-setting, action plans and advising on key strategic issues. To engage with the force’s communities across Warwickshire, including seldom heard groups and Community Advisory Groups, to provide a robust evidence base to inform DEI priorities, initiatives and actions.

Main Responsibilities

To monitor and report on organisational compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and ensure required information is published to stated timescales. To manage systems for compliance with the equality duties (in line with the force’s governance process), including ensuring the force’s internet and intranet contain up-to-date information in relation to Equality & Diversity.

Work with the DEI Manager to i) support Chief Officers in the development of strategic DEI objectives and an associated action plan, and ii) monitor and report on performance against the plan.

To provide specialist support, guidance and assurance on strategic equality and diversity matters in respect of planning operations, policing strategies and policies and procedures.

Support the DEI Manager in the development, management and presentation of the data / evidence base to support equality analysis.

To support managers in understanding their obligations under the PSED (e.g. via briefing sessions), and in the effective use of equality analysis, including the use of equality evidence, and to manage a process of quality assurance for equality analysis.

To support the DEI Manager in development and management of the force’s consultation and engagement plan to address evidence gaps in relation to equality and diversity (working closely with force leads, and where appropriate working with the OPCC and other partners). Focusing on understanding disparities in access to services and service delivery and reviewing good practice to address such disparities.

To conduct horizon scanning, highlighting strategic DEI risks, issues and opportunities, and preparing papers and briefings based on research and engagement (circa 4/annum).

To develop and manage the force’s approach to community engagement for advice and scrutiny, including management of strategic-level meetings (attendance at local/thematic meetings as appropriate).

Support the DEI Manager in collaborating with enabling and professional services (e.g. Corporate Communications, Learning and Development) to build force-wide DEI capabilities.

To undertake other duties commensurate with the nature, level of responsibility and grading of this post, as required.

Special conditions: Travel throughout Warwickshire Policing area.

Person Specification

Knowledge:

• Degree / level 5 qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. Marketing, Social Research, Business Management) or equivalent experience
• Substantial knowledge of social research methods, particularly with regard to engagement with seldom heard groups
• A sound knowledge of equality and diversity legislation and an understanding of its context within policing

Experience:

• Experience in providing professional advice to senior managers
• Experience of horizon scanning, and researching strategic issues
• Substantial experience of working with diverse groups and vulnerable people, including targeted work leading to positive impacts.
• Experience of working in partnership to address needs of diverse and minority groups/communities
• Experience of interpreting organisational information and identifying patterns and trends.
• Experience in managing challenging behaviour and conflict.

Key Skills:

• Excellent planning and organisation skills and ability to work to deadlines.
• Proven ability to independently progress multiple work assignments
• Excellent relationship management and networking skills
• Able to carry out research (primary and secondary) and interpret and present information in an appropriate format to include recommendations for action
• Excellent communication (oral and written), including presentation skills and the ability to engage with a diverse range of people
• Able to challenge attitudes and behaviour appropriately.
• High level of computer literacy including Excel, Word, PowerPoint