Head of Equality & Access Candidate Information Pack
Working in partnership with
I am delighted to extend a warm welcome to each of you as we embark on a journey to find a visionary leader for the newly established role of Head of Equality & Access at the University of Northampton. Your interest in this crucial position is a testament to your commitment to fostering At the University of Northampton, we have always believed in the transformative power of education. As we continue to grow and evolve, it is imperative that we uphold our values of diversity, equality and access for all. This newly created role is a testament to our dedication to these values and our ambition to create a university community that is truly representative of the world we live in. an inclusive and equitable educational environment. The Head of Equality & Access will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our institution by spearheading initiatives that promote access and participation, social justice, diversity and inclusivity. We are seeking an individual who possesses not only the necessary expertise in the field but also the passion to drive meaningful change. This role is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of our students, staff, and the wider community. Welcome.
As a candidate for this critical role, you will bring a wealth of experience, insight, and innovative ideas. Your application signals your aspiration to join a community of educators and professionals dedicated to pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. Once again, I extend my heartfelt welcome to each of you. The University of Northampton is eager to witness the impact you can make in this pivotal role. Thank you for considering joining us on this transformative journey.
Warm Regards
Professor Anne-Marie Kilday Vice Chancellor & CEO University of Northampton
Executive summary About us Equality & Access The role Working at the University of Northampton How to apply
“Only when you
experience a place do you learn how to make it your own.”
About us.
The University of Northampton is one of the youngest universities in the UK, gaining full university status and research degree awaring powers in 2005. Whilst we may be a ‘new’ University, we have made our impact in the Higher Education sector. We are committed to doing things differently; for example, we were the first University in the UK to be named as a Changemaker Campus in 2012 and are dedicated to creating social impact in all that we do. Our overt focus on positive change was spearheaded by our relocation to Northampton town centre with the opening of our Waterside Campus for the 2018/2019 academic year. The impetus of this bold move was to create a
learning experience based on how our students want to learn, rather than how it is expected, whilst also securing the sustainable future of our University. Since 2018, we have embraced our purpose- built state-of-the-art campus, being witness to many day-to-day interactions/experiences of our University community within our new physical estate. Listening and learning from those experiences, has allowed us to identify further opportunities to evolve. Against a backdrop of sustained growth in student numbers, with 2022 marking our current record year, this is an exciting era for the University of Northampton. Our recent achievements can be viewed at northampton.ac.uk/about-us/our-achievements/
Becky Bradshaw, Chief Operating Officer
The Equality & Access Team
Chair of the Board
Vice Chancellor & CEO
Head of Corporate Communication
Chief Operating Officer
Deputy Vice Chancellor
Head of Equality & Access
Director of Finance
Access and Participation
Equality, Diversion & Inclusion
The role.
Job Title
Head of Equality & Access
Principal duties & responsibilities • Develop and implement the University of Northampton’s EDI strategy to remove the structural barriers members of our community face and move UON towards a more inclusive and diverse University for students and staff. • Establish a positive, exciting, integrated and inclusive agenda for change which harnesses and unites existing passion, talent and momentum in the University. • Enable the University to achieve national equality standards and benchmarks over an agreed time period. • Work collaboratively with the relevant EDI networks, communities and professionals to ensure that proactive horizon scanning and up to-date sector information embeds EDI awareness at all levels of the institution. • Develop and maintain a high-level working relationship with senior leaders and colleagues across the University to prioritise issues relating to EDI in light of an evolving and changing internal and external environment. • Lead and participate in cross-University projects related to EDI issues to ensure that these deliver the required objectives within agreed budgets, standards and timescales • Lead and manage the EDI and Access & Participation teams to maximise their contribution to the University. • Work closely with the trade union and professional teams to provide strong leadership and direction on all matters relating to EDI. • Establish a positive, exciting, integrated and inclusive agenda for change which harnesses and unites existing passion, talent and momentum in the University.
• Lead the strategic development and publication of the University’s Access and Participation Plan, its delivery and monitoring, and alignment with the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategy. • Provide leadership and oversight maximise the impact of schools’ engagement in raising attainment and social mobility. • Lead the design and implementation of a communication and engagement plan to raise awareness of the access and participation agenda and progress made in this area across the University. Prepare and share information/briefings to staff, students and other key stakeholders. • Keep up-to-date with the policy developments, regulatory changes and the latest research relating to access and participation. Feed information and ideas through to relevant committees and stakeholders as appropriate. to the work with Faculties and professional services to Leadership Team and the Board of Governors on key indicators for students and staff, this will include regular presentation to these and other strategic level meetings. • Ensure there is a regular reporting to the University
Responsible to
Vice Chancellor
Overall purpose To lead organisational transformation towards greater access, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in every aspect of the University, aiming to establish the University of Northampton as a leading UK university for EDI. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor, you will ensure the university culture supports equality of opportunity and outcome for staff and students and you will shape and lead the delivery of the University’s Access and Participation plan.
Core people management duties and responsibilities • Regularly reviewing Equality & Access staffing to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency is delivered whilst providing high quality leadership and management for all staff in the department. • Leading, developing and empowering the Equality & Access leadership team, ensuring
the delivery of effective and efficient services and fostering an inclusive and high performing culture. • Providing strong strategic and inspirational leadership, management and coordination of service provision. • Plan resources (human and capital) to ensure adequate coverage to meet the needs of the service whilst recognising employee wellbeing. • Manage performance and behaviour (including the PDR and the Probation period) of team on an ongoing basis. • Monitor leave and absence of the team on an ongoing basis. Approve annual leave requests, manage poor attendance and support staff with ongoing ill health issues. • Monitor and approve development opportunities to meet changing needs of the University and personal development. • Communicate effectively at all levels, ensuring relevant information is cascaded to the team and allow for two way communication including team meetings and 1-2-1’s • Foster wellbeing of team members ensuring maintenance of work life balance, adherence to Working Time Regulations and providing opportunities for staff to raise issues e.g. through regular 1-2-1 meetings. • Undertake all aspects of recruitment in accordance with University policy and procedure, for both within the team and supporting other departments and faculties across the University • Undertake investigations and undertake role of hearing manager in cases of disciplinary and grievance for employees across the University in line with University Policy and procedures. Generic duties and responsibilities • The post holder will be expected to undertake other responsibilities and tasks as reasonably requested by the Vice Chancellor. • The post holder will be responsible and accountable for ensuring all employ- ment legislative requirements are adhered to including equality and diversity and health and safety issues. • The job description may be altered at any time in the future in line with the level of the post to meet changing institutional requirements, but only in full consultation with the post holder.
Person specification.
Qualifications Essential:
Personal qualities Essential: • Highly visible, capable, positive and confident leadership style with ability to exemplify the University’s values and demonstrate integrity in relationships, decision making and actions. • Proven ability to work collaboratively with people at all levels, establishing and maintaining relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, and adopting a listening and consultative style to identify shared issues and solutions. • The ability to lead people in large scale organisational change. • Effective team leader, able to role model positive line management behaviours, set relevant objectives, support development and encourage innovation, and promote a diverse and inclusive culture. • Strong strategic thinker – outward looking, able to scan for opportunities and challenges, synthesise multiple sources of information and data and then create strong people strategies; • A commitment to the mission and values • Exceptional judgement and emotional intelligence, and the intellectual capacity to operate credibly in a forward thinking university environment. • Creative and problem-solving approach to decision making. of the University, including a strong commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. Desirable: • Ability to drive and adapt to organisational change technological advances in the workplace
• Educated to postgraduate level in a relevant subject area or equivalent work experience Desirable: • A further postgraduate or professional qualification in a relevant discipline. Skills, knowledge and experience Essential: • Proven track record in developing and delivering transformational cultural change within a large complex organisation. • Demonstrable leadership expertise in EDI covering the full range of protected characteristics, including a broad and deep understanding of barriers to change. • A proven track record in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion and the ability to promote the University effectively, acting as an ambassador in the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion in internal and external environments. within large organisations but also culturally across the local community, nationally and internationally. • Experienced people manager with demonstrable ability to lead and motivate the immediate team, to deliver to hard deadlines on high profile, complex and sensitive projects with multiple internal and external stakeholders. Desirable: • In depth knowledge and understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion both • Substantial understanding of widening access in the context of the OfS regulatory framework. • Proven ability of developing and delivering strategic plans in large organisations, with progress reporting to senior stakeholders.
Community, bringing together teams from across the University to support, improve and promote the wellbeing and physical and mental health of those living, studying and working here. • We have trained over 130 Mental Health First Aiders to ensure we have a network of staff who have the knowledge and confidence to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and can signpost you towards the right support • We have a number of staff networks to support you including New Parents, LGBT+, GEM (Global Ethnic Majority) and Women • Our Employee Assistance Programme which is provided by our Occupational Health partner includes advice and counselling services to offer support through times of difficulty. Work - life balance/smarter working We want you to be able to carry out your work in a way that best supports UON and our students, but also you as an individual. We understand what that looks like will vary between different areas of the University as well as from one person to another. With Smarter Working you can work with increased flexibility, if you would like to, to facilitate greater freedom, autonomy and to better support each of us as individuals. Should you have family/caring responsibilities, we also have a whole package of family-friendly policies that provide for flexible working, maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave, and leave for family emergencies. Environment We have reaffirmed our commitment to combating climate change and have pledged to become net zero carbon by 2030. We have also retained our green accreditation in Investors in the Environment.
Pension scheme The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) is the main scheme for professional services staff and is worked out every scheme year and added to your pension account. The pension added to your account is equal to a 49th of your pay in that year. At the end of every scheme year the value of the pension in your account is adjusted to take into account the cost of living (as currently measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI). After you retire your pension will also keep pace with cost of living increases. It also includes immediate life cover and a pension for your husband, wife, civil partner or nominated cohabiting partner and eligible children in the event of your death and, if you ever become seriously ill, and you've paid in for at least 2 years, you could receive immediate ill-health benefits. Health insurance Health insurance is provided for single, individual coverage. There is also the option to purchase cover for a partner and/ or family at your own cost. Career development Since education is part of our core business, we care deeply about career and personal development. You’ll benefit from: • a structured induction programme for new starters, to make you feel welcome and part of our team • an annual performance and development review, to help identify your career aspirations and structure your individual development plan • access to an extensive programme of courses, designed by our in-house Staff Development team, for all career stages • access to LinkedIn Learning – a library of high quality training videos that cover a wide range of subjects. Employee wellbeing At the University of Northampton, we believe in the importance of health and wellbeing and we aim to ensure it underpins the staff and student experience at all stages. With this in mind we have introduced the Waterside Wellbeing
Working at the University of Northampton. Our mission is to transform lives and inspire change. We aim to ensure you have a positive experience of working with us by providing a supportive and caring environment. We also have a unique commitment to social impact which means we support our staff and students to
Generous benefits package
Our job opportunities all include an excellent benefits package that includes many features that are hard to find in the private sector: • Generous annual leave allowance, including Christmas/New Year closure - 35 days plus bank holidays and University closed days • Pension scheme membership to provide benefits for you and your family • Generous sick pay • Employee Assistance Programme with advice line and counselling • Learning and development opportunities; • Cycle to Work Scheme • Long service awards • Staff discounts on a range of products and local services including the ability to purchase a TOTUM student discount card which gives you access to over 350 student discounts.
For a confidential discussion to learn more about the role and opportunity, please contact the University of Northampton’s appointed recruitment partners Sian Gardiner of MRG University People: sian.gardiner@universitypeople.co.uk Applications should consist of a CV and covering letter and should be sent to northampton@universitypeople.co.uk The University of Northampton is committed to providing a vibrant, ethical and sustainable work, study and living environment that values equality, diversity and inclusion. This commitment, along with our legal and moral obligations, provides an inclusive environment for staff, students and the public who may be affected by our activities. Together @ UON confirms our commitment to equality and inclusion, underpinned by our belief in taking action. We are dedicated to creating an environment that celebrates equality and harnesses the power of diversity. Together @ UON demonstrates our pledge to our staff, students and partners to nurture and develop an environment where equality and inclusion can thrive whilst we Transform Lives and Inspire Change How to apply.
northampton.ac.uk
Working in partnership with
Page 1 Page 2-3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12-13 Page 14-15 Page 16Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker