Head of Diversity and Inclusion

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Job Scope

To lead on the implementation of the Society's diversity and inclusion strategy and manage delivery of the associated programmes to implement the Society's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in UK science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by seeking to increase participation from underrepresented and minority groups.

To be the Society's go-to person for advice on diversity and inclusion matters, and to ensure that the programmes fulfil the Royal Society's objectives and expectations of quality, and that they run effectively and efficiently. The post holder should ensure that Royal Society activities are imaginative, maximise impact with target audiences and reinforce the Society's position as the UK's national academy of science.

Responsibilities

The work of the Head of Diversity and Inclusion will include:

• Ensuring the programmes within remit, specifically those mentioned above, are delivered to the quality required and continue to evolve and improve to meet the Society's objectives.
• With the Chief Officer - Programmes, Partnerships and Engagement, contributing to the review and strategic development of the programmes.
• Supporting the Chairs of the Diversity and Inclusion and Prize Committees, and other parts of the Governance structure.
• Making contributions, in association with the Chief Officer, to incorporate policy, strategy, and business planning.
• Managing and motivating the diversity and inclusion team with direct line management of at least two members of the team, including responsibility for their continuing professional development.
• Developing partnerships including with other national academies, funders, scientific institutions and organisations specialising in aspects of diversity, to generate new ideas and ways to collaborate to contribute to the development of the diversity and inclusion programme.
• Working with the marketing and communications team to ensure that the programme is promoted effectively to key audiences to ensure the broadest possible reach and impact of the programme.
• Collecting diversity data on the Society's activities and overseeing the publication of annual diversity data.
• Working with colleagues from other Sections, advising them on the diversity and inclusion aspects of their programmes, ensuring activities and future plans support the strategic direction of the Society.
• Specifically, to develop an outreach programme that supports widening participation in the Society's own grant schemes.
• Taking responsibility for the management, delivery, and development of the programme in order to reach agreed goals and deadlines, working across sections as required.
• Managing effectively the Section's budget.
• Developing appropriate evaluation methods and key performance indicators for all projects within the programme and producing output/outcome reports as required.
• Promoting the work of the programme to internal and particularly external audiences, acting as an ambassador for the programme.
• Ensuring that needs of the target audiences (both internal and external) are met as efficiently as possible, including the preparation of marketing/dissemination strategies.
• Looking for ways to improve the delivery of the programmes, whether the programmes are delivered in person or virtually.
• Ensuring the Society's operational and financial procedures are met for all activities within their remit to include KPI reporting, risk management and data protection compliance.
• Actively promoting a team and project approach in helping to achieve the outcomes of the Section.
• Managing other projects designed to implement the Society's policies and objectives.
• Sharing experience and ideas with others in the Section and Society and contributing broadly to the smooth running, outcome-oriented approach of the Society.

Key Knowledge and Skills Required

Education / qualifications / knowledge / interests

• Graduate calibre with suitable administrative or office experience - Essential
• Excellent knowledge of office systems and procedures - Essential
• An interest in science, mathematics, technology and its broader social significance - Highly desirable
• A thorough knowledge of diversity and inclusion legislation - Essential
• A proven track record in delivering diversity and inclusion initiatives - Essential

Experience

• Experience of working in a team environment - Essential
• Experience of line management - Essential
• Experience of project management - Essential
• Experience of identifying and targeting a variety of audiences - Essential
• Experience of advising teams on diversity and inclusion best practice - Essential
• Experience of project evaluation - Essential
• Experience of managing contractors working on outsourced projects - Essential
• Experience of setting up committee meetings and preparing agendas and minutes - Highly desirable
• Experience of writing for a variety of audiences - Essential
• Experience of collaborating with a variety of audiences to deliver outcomes - Essential

Circumstances

Able to be flexible about working hours, including working evenings and weekends on occasion - Highly desirable

Competencies

1. Self-Management (Strategic)

• Key indicators: managing stress, effective and efficient, self-motivated, enthusiastic, confident, self-awareness
• Demonstrations: Identifies difficult situations, Recognises stress in others and takes steps to reduce it, Controls pressurised situations, Effectively enthuses those in the team, Proactively sets goals and targets for own work, Embraces new opportunities, responds to new risks and takes on new responsibilities, Encourages others to seize opportunities, Recognises when it is appropriate to resist the objections of others and remain committed to a sound course of action

2. Working with others (Strategic)

• Key indicators: collaborative, shares knowledge, giving & receiving feedback, engaging & networking, negotiation, influencing, presentation skills, public speaking, situational and organisational awareness
• Demonstrations: Actively seeks ideas and criticisms from within the team, Resolves conflicts within and between teams, Embeds feedback processes within the team, Seeks out new networks that will create opportunity for the Society, Able to present complex issues simply, Uses discretion, tact and empathy when negotiating with and/or seeking to influence others, Understands the need to manage expectations and to only promise what is deliverable, Demonstrates compassion in delivering hard messages

3. Resource Management (Strategic)

• Key indicators: budget management, organisation, prioritising, results focus, quality focus
• Demonstrations: Determines strategy and deployment of resources, balancing cost and benefit; risk and potential for maximum impact across significant business areas, Manages complex cross-cutting projects to time, budget and specification, Ensures others accept responsibility towards results or quality

4. Critical thinking (Strategic)

• Key indicators: accuracy, attention to detail, analytical, decision making, judgement, problem solving, creativity, innovative
• Demonstrations: Uses questioning, analytical and probing skills to 'dig deeper', Knows when enough information has been obtained and adapts presentation of information to the needs of the audience, Evaluates the benefits, practicalities and value for money of ideas and obtains feedback

5. Adaptability (Strategic)

• Key indicators: adaptable, flexible, dealing with new situations
• Demonstrations: Actively seeks the input and opinions of others, often outside his/her section and accommodates and incorporates this thinking into any output, Actively seeks new challenges and projects; leads discussions surrounding new ideas, approaches and projects

6. Managing people and relationships (Strategic)

• Key indicators: delegation, empowerment, motivates others, develops staff, builds rapport, customer focus & stakeholder engagement, discreet, empathetic, diplomatic, managing conflict
• Demonstrations: Sets expectations of others and ensures they deliver, Demonstrates a positive attitude towards work, celebrating success and instilling confidence, which encourages the same from others, Encourages others to share ideas and participate in the discussion and decisions of the team