Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Partner Full Time

City, Edinburgh
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

Directorate: Human Resources
Grade: Grade 8 (£45,585 – £54,395)
Contract Type: Full-time, open-ended

Rewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days for all full time staff (Part time workers should pro rata this by their FTE). Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Purpose of the Role

Work with Senior Leaders, colleagues and student representatives to lead on the delivery of our institutional EDI ambitions and commitments ensuring the provision of expert advice, developing and delivering positive initiatives to enhance EDI, embedding EDI across all functions of the University and facilitating a coherent and connected approach to ED.

As a global University we seek to promote best practice across all our campuses and the role holder will work with colleagues across the University to support our flourishing community across the whole institution. Heriot-Watt is a values led University and the EDI Partner plays a key role in ensuring we fulfil our commitment to ensure that all those within and who come into contact with our University feel they genuinely BELONG to a diverse, inclusive and international community working together across boundaries and cultures.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead a high-quality EDI service providing expert advice, guidance and support on EDI matters relating to our community of staff and students.
• Ensure the University fulfils its statutory duties and responsibilities to funders in relation to equality impact assessment and EDI reporting, including leading on the development and delivery of the Equality Mainstreaming Report
• Develop, lead and maintain a programme of capacity-building to mainstream and embed EDI across all functions of the University
• Facilitate a connected and co-ordinated approach to EDI activity and support across the University, working closely with the Vice Principal, Global Director of HR and Deputy Principal, Education and Student Life, in particular
• Develop and deliver projects and other initiatives to drive change in support of the University’s EDI commitments
• Work with communications colleagues to ensure the effective dissemination of EDI reports and to maintain up to date, focused, and accessible EDI webpages and digital content
• Source, analyse and interpret relevant data from a variety of sources and present the information in an accessible format to diverse audiences to promote best practice in relation to EDI.
• Keep abreast of statutory requirements and guidance and undertake regular horizon scanning to proactively identify key and emerging EDI issues, providing advice and briefing notes as required
• Represent the University externally as required, including as a member of the Scottish Universities EDI Network, feeding back to colleagues as appropriate.
• Draft papers for relevant committees and advisory groups and have oversight of the business of governance committees.
• In liaison with the Communications Team, provide clear messaging and guidance on equality, diversity and inclusion matters more generally and related projects across the institution.
• As a line manager, you will be responsible for leading, motivating and developing the EDI Assistant to achieve their goals and objectives

About Our Team

Covering all University Campuses globally, the HR Directorate provides a range of strategic and operational HR Support and Guidance to the leaders, managers and employees of the University. The services cover the full employee cycle from the point of attracting staff as potential employees, through their recruitment and induction, career development and reward and recognition. There are HR colleagues based in Edinburgh, Dubai and Malaysia organised around six Divisions, Recruitment, Professional & Organisational Development, Reward & Wellbeing, Payroll, Employee Relations & Policy and HR Operations.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Partner will sit within the Reward and Wellbeing Team and report to the Head of Reward and Wellbeing.

Education, Qualifications and Experience

Essential Criteria

1. Degree level or equivalent experience
2. An informed and operational knowledge of current equalities legislation and best practice
3. Demonstrable understanding of intersectionality of lived experiences for students and staff – including barriers, challenges and solutions
4. Strong planning and organisational skills with demonstrable experience of finding practical solutions to complex and difficult issues
5. Experience in engaging, influencing and negotiating with a range of stakeholders, both internal and external, at all levels
6. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, including the experience to write reports to a high standard
7. Strong analytical skills and the experience of understanding and presenting complex data
8. Experience of collaborating with cross-functional teams and operating in a business partnering model
9. Significant experience of working effectively with colleagues across all levels of an organisation and delivering continuous improvements across a service
10. Experience of designing and delivering training to a wide range of audiences
11. A demonstrable understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion in an education setting
12. Strong sense of cultural sensitivity and ability to navigate complex political and ethical questions
13. Aptitude for using own initiative with a solution focussed mindset

About Heriot-Watt

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt University is also Scotland’s most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV

Applications can be submitted until midnight on the 14th January 2024.

At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.

Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers .

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.

Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.