Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time (37 Hours, Monday to Friday). We are happy to consider part-time and flexible working arrangements.
Location: Hybrid, typically working two days per week at our Headington Campus, Oxford
At Oxford Brookes University, we take pride in being a modern, forward thinking institution which is committed to delivering access to education for all, to research that helps provide answers to the problems of today and tomorrow and to supporting our local communities.
Our people are at the heart of the University - our excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange depends on the engagement, capability and wellbeing of our people. We strive to create and encourage an environment where people have the opportunity to develop, progress and thrive.
The role
Reporting to the Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and working closely with teams across the University, you will lead our work to ensure that Oxford Brookes responds effectively to - and ultimately prevents - instances of harassment, sexual misconduct and discrimination. You will have particular responsibility for supporting institutional compliance with the Office for Students’ Condition of Registration E6.
You will also contribute to the wider work of the EDI Team by managing projects and initiatives to support delivery of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2024-29, according to your own areas of expertise.
Higher Education experience is not essential, but you will have excellent interpersonal and written communications skills, the ability to influence others, and be passionate about using your experience to promote an inclusive, open and supportive culture at Oxford Brookes.
What you will do
Your days will be varied, impactful and deeply collaborative. You will use your substantial experience to design and deliver initiatives to strengthen the University’s response to harassment, sexual misconduct and discrimination, and provide expert advice to stakeholders across the University. You will closely monitor and evaluate university practices, ensuring that they are effective, accessible, transparent and compliant with regulatory requirements.
You will support others to develop their understanding of harassment, sexual misconduct and discrimination, including through delivering training and presentations, writing engaging communications and guidance materials, and facilitating the sharing of good practice.
You will also act as the central point of contact for our network of Staff Harassment Advisors, ensuring that our volunteer advisors are well-trained and supported.
Finally, you will contribute to the implementation of our EDI Strategy 2024-29, through leading work in one thematic area as well as projects of a cross-cutting nature.
The skills you will need
- Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience.
- Substantial experience of designing and implementing effective initiatives to respond to and prevent harassment and sexual misconduct.
- Expert knowledge and understanding of the legislation, regulatory framework and challenges relating to harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education.
- In-depth knowledge and experience of at least one other area of EDI work.
- Experience of designing and delivering impactful training on harassment, sexual misconduct and / or EDI issues.
- Excellent interpersonal and written communications skills.
- Demonstrable ability to influence others, and build and sustain effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Tenacity and resilience, with the ability to respond positively to unexpected and potentially upsetting situations.
Benefits
Our hybrid model is designed around supporting you to achieve balance. You will typically spend two days per week connecting with teams on campus and the remainder working from home, although you will always be able to work on campus if you prefer.
Our benefits include:
- Generous annual leave: A minimum of 25 days holiday, plus 8 bank holidays and additional university concessionary days (normally five per year).
- Excellent pension: Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.2% employer contribution rate.
- Family friendly: Generous family-friendly leave and pay options, and access to an on-site nursery.
- Access to additional benefits including a staff discount scheme, our comprehensive employee assistance programme, discounted gym facilities, discounted local travel, onsite catering outlets and a range of staff diversity networks.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.
We are proud to hold Athena Swana and Race Equality Charter institutional Bronze awards.
As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.
Closing Date: Monday 21 July
Interviews: Expected to take place between 6th and 14th August
For an informal conversation about the role, please contact the Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Adrienne Hopkins, at ahopkins@brookes.ac.uk.
