Senior Race Equity Specialist (Fixed-Term)

Job Description

Issues of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) have shaped the RSPB since its inception in 1889. One hundred and thirty-two years later, these issues are more relevant than ever. This is an incredibly exciting time at the RSPB, with an ambitious strategy and a commitment to improving the way we operate to protect and enhance nature.

What’s the job about?

To achieve our strategic ambitions and address the climate crisis, the RSPB is committed to becoming more relevant to the communities and supporters we work with, by involving a more diverse range of people to work with us. There is a long way to go, with Conservation currently one of the least ethnically diverse sectors - less than 5% of paid employees identify as Black, Asian or from other ethnic minority backgrounds. Following an external review, we are committed to deliver specific and focused race equity objectives that will change behaviours and mindsets, (affecting strategy, recruitment, and our culture), to ultimately foster an inclusive working environment and address any systemic barriers.

Reporting to the Head of EDI, the Senior Race Equity Specialist will lead on and deliver anti-racism interventions, influencing positive change at the RSPB. You will develop close relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, working collaboratively to support the transformation in behaviours and skills required to make the RSPB a more inclusive, diverse, and welcoming place for all.

This is a new role within a new EDI team, with flexibility to shape and innovate. This role will be pivotal in raising awareness and moving people to action on race equity, starting by developing and delivering anti-racism training and strategy, working with our senior leaders, networks, and wider teams.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of leading and delivering race equity or anti-racism interventions, influencing positive meaningful change and transformation – in a complex organisation.

• Strong internal stakeholder management and interpersonal skills with the ability to coach, inspire and drive change on race equity

• Experience of reviewing internal policies and processes and recommending improvements in line with best practise on Race Equity in the UK, including applying technical knowledge from the Equality Act 2010.

• Knowledge of barriers faced by ethnically diverse people including intersectional experience as LGBTQI+ and disabled community, women and neurodiverse people.

• Experience of identifying race equity issues, recommending collective solutions and offering specialist advice and guidance, that supports and upskills people to become advocates, at all levels

• Experience of developing resources and training on anti-racism, allyship and wider behaviour change, including recruitment, progression and leadership, with ability to embed learning and development

• Experience of working with ethnically diverse groups or networks in a workplace or voluntary setting with a coproduction approach

• Strong and effective communication skills, including online presentations with ability to coach and work through sensitive concepts.

• Strong digital, data and writing skills including analysing data and measuring impact and reporting to communicate race equity work to a wide range of audiences

• Experience of leading with compassion whilst achieving ambitious transformation goals

Desirable experience:

• Experience or interest in the Conservation section, nature or climate emergency

• Experience working in the Voluntary sector or in volunteering

• Experience of providing regular support to staff or voluntary networks

• Experience of movement building or membership organisations

Next steps

We are committed to continually improving the diversity of our workforce, and therefore we encourage applications from all groups. This includes from people of colour, the LGBTQI+ community, those who are neurodiverse, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and those with a disability, who are underrepresented in our organisation.

Working patterns and flexibility

This role is available full time for 37.5 hours a week, but we welcome applications for those looking for different working patterns, including to support care responsibilities and are happy to discuss further with interested candidates.

This is a fixed-term, full-time contract for 12 months. The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

Open briefings

If this sounds like the role for you and you'd like more information on what the day-to-day responsibilities are, or a chance to ask questions, please book on to one of our open briefings.

Open briefings are held online and are 45 minutes long, with a short presentation from our hiring manager to talk through the practicalities of the role and cover frequently asked questions or concerns. Open briefings aim to break down barriers faced by people from different and diverse backgrounds when applying for roles in the sector. These sessions are entirely optional to attend.

To book a place on an open briefing for this role, please email edi@rspb.org.uk For all application/role enquiries please contact layna.warrengray@rspb.org.uk

Additional information

Please note that, as part of your application you will be asked to upload a CV and complete an online application form where you will have the opportunity to tell us how you meet the criteria above.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.