Equality and Diversity Forum

APPLICATION PACK: RESEARCH & IMPACT DIRECTOR

The closing date for applications is 5pm, Monday 26 Sept 2016

INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS

In this pack you will find:

• Details of how to apply
• Information about the Forum and the role
• The job description and person specification for the role
• Equal opportunities monitoring form
• Guaranteed interview form

How to apply

To apply please send us:

A personal statementexplaining how you meet each of the criteria set out in the person specification and why this role interests you. Please provide sufficient relevant evidence, including examples, to enable us to see how your skills and experience match what we are seeking. We interview candidates who demonstrate that you meet the criteria - please don’t just state that you do.

• A CV including your employment history (both paid and unpaid), relevant achievements in recent roles, educational and professional qualifications and latest remuneration. Please also include daytime and evening telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, which will be used with discretion.
• Details of two people who have agreed to act as a referee for you. One referee should be your current or most recent employer.

Applications should be sent to by 5pm on 26 Sept. Please put Research & Impact Director as the email subject. Interviews will take place on Monday 10th October.

Reasonable Adjustments and Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We are happy to make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants at any stage of the recruitment process – please just get in touch to discuss.

We also offer disabled applicants the option of requesting that their application is considered under the terms of our guaranteed interview scheme. You will still have to demonstrate in your application that you have at least the minimum required level of experience, knowledge and skills in the person specification before we can interview you. The minimum required level is 60% of the shortlisting score across all essential criteria in the person specification. To request an interview under the scheme please complete the Guaranteed Interview Form.

About the Equality and Diversity Forum

EDF is the national network of NGOs working across the equality and human rights spectrum in Britain. EDF is unique in drawing together NGOs tackling inequality related to age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation, together with those working on broader equality and human rights, advice agencies and NGOs representing chronically excluded minorities such as refugees and Gypsies and Travellers.

EDF’s strength lies in the active participation of its network of over 80 members and associate members, working together to achieve three strategic priorities:

1. Increase public and political support for equality and human rights
2. Create solutions to advance an equal and diverse society
3. Strengthen the capacity of civil society

For more information, see Key to all our futures, our 2016-20 strategy.

About the role

This is an important time for EDF’s research work. The post-referendum landscape is an uncertain one, with the result showing the urgent need to recognise socio-economic factors and relate them to equality and human rights. We have already seen increases in hate crime, the threat to human rights protections remains, access to justice for many people has become more difficult, and further public sector cuts are likely to disadvantage particular individuals and groups who are already struggling. These factors make the case for better connections between researchers, policy makers, campaigners and service providers to improve our understanding of the causes of and solutions to inequality.

EDF commissioned NatCen to carry out a feasibility study for activities to bridge research, policy and NGO work to improve equality and human rights. Building on that 2015 study and on the membership and activities of the EDF Research Network, our two organisations are now working in partnership to create a centre or hub for knowledge exchange on equality, human rights and social justice.

This interim post will lead the work on the centre for EDF, and develop a programme that contributes to Key to all our futures, our 2016-20 strategy.

We are looking for a creative big picture thinker who also understands the value of important details and follow through. We are a small organisation, which makes this a great opportunity for someone to shape this exciting initiative and make a big difference. It also means you will be as happy to help tidy up after an event as you are to chair it!

We welcome applications from people not currently working on equality and human rights who have the appropriate transferable skills.
Job description: Research & Impact Director

Accountable to:Chief Executive

Responsible for:Potential to develop paid intern programme

Location:London / Flexible but at least 2 days/wk London

Salary:Up to £45,000 pro rata, depending on experience.

Flexible working:This position is offered as a 21 hour per week position. Flexible working arrangements can be considered.

Contract:12 months with possibility of extension, subject to funding

Benefits: Pension scheme with 8% employer contribution; flexible working; access to Simply Health scheme; generous annual leave.

Job purpose

To lead the development and delivery of high-quality and impactful research and knowledge exchange activity to inform EDF’s influencing agenda and help deliver our strategic priorities. In particular this interim role will lead the development of our much-valued Research Network into a knowledge exchange centre on equality, human rights and social justice.

Key internal relationships

The role will require close working with legal, policy and communications colleagues to improve the use of research to achieve our strategic objectives and improve how research is framed and communicated to increase its impact and applicability.

Key external relationships

• Partners and stakeholders including Natcen, the EHRC
• Researchers in universities and the wider research community, including members of the Research Network
• Senior colleagues within EDF’s NGO membership and wider civil society organisations
• Funders, key statutory bodies and government departments

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Lead the development of a knowledge exchange hub on equality, human rights and social justice, working collaboratively with our partner Natcen, and other partners and stakeholders as appropriate.

1. Coordinate and manage the Equality and Diversity Forum Research Network in its current guise and eventually within the hub, including
2. Ensuring members are engaged and involved in developments
3. Maintaining and expanding the Network’s membership, organising events and other activity to build bridges between equality and human rights research, policy and civil society organisations.

1. Maximise the impact of key new and existing research in the equality, human rights and social justice arena, including
2. Producing/commissioning evidence briefings and research summaries that are accessible and relevant to policy makers and policy influencers, and easy for them to apply
3. Working with policy and communications colleagues to improve the use of research and communications to achieve our strategic policy objectives

1. Lead EDF’s research programme, including commissioning and managing research to generate new thinking on equality, human rights and social justice.

1. Work with the CEO to secure funding for EDF research and impact activities, develop and manage relationships with funders, ensure delivery of and reporting against funded activity.

1. Build working relationships for information exchange and policy development with government and statutory bodies, research communities and organisations, and with equality, human rights and civil society organisations at local, regional, national and European level.

1. Manage publication of research and related materials including publishing and dissemination through web and social media.

1. Ensure monitoring and evaluation of research activities.

1. Brief staff, trustees and the membership on emerging issues.

1. Target new audiences for EDF and external equality and human rights material.

1. Work with EDF’s Chief Executive, staff and board to develop EDF’s business plan and deliver key objectives.

Person specification

Essential

1. Proven ability to develop and deliver a strategic and impactful research agenda.

1. Proven commitment to equality, human rights and social justice, understanding of these agendas, and ability to develop new solutions-focused thinking in these areas.

1. Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to make intellectual connections and identify intersections, commonalities and differences that have significant implications for policy and practice.

1. Strong track record of creating and sustaining effective partnerships to deliver on objectives.

1. Track record of establishing and managing relationships with funders, and of generating research or knowledge exchange income, and understanding of UK higher education funding frameworks.

1. Ability to bring people and organisations together across disciplines and sectors to create spaces for networking, dialogue and action.

1. Big picture thinker, who also understands the value of detail and is able to follow through on delivery.

1. Strong project and budget management skills, including monitoring, reporting, evaluation and ensuring learning is captured, shared and acted upon.

1. Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

1. Excellent IT skills

Desirable

1. Track record of engagement in research activity in the equality, human rights and/or social justice policy areas.

1. Experience of staff development and management (there is potential to fundraise for and develop a paid intern programme).

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We are committed to the employment of disabled people.

What we mean by disability

The Equality Act 2010 defines a disabled person as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

How to apply

Simply complete the information requested below, sign the declaration and attach it with your application form.

* Any information you give will be treated in confidence.

Declaration

I consider myself to have a disability as defined above and I would like to apply under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

Any false declaration of disability to obtain an interview will subsequently invalidate any contract of employment.

Equality and Diversity Forum, Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA

Tel + 44 (0)20 303 31454, email , website

Registered charity number 1135357 and company number 06464749