Cricket is a game that ignites excitement and passion, a sport to be enjoyed – we want increased participation and on field success in our sport to help unite people, our communities and our nation. We know that cricket is the most diverse sport in Scotland, and we are taking proactive steps to ensure that the sport is the most inclusive and welcoming.
As the national governing body for cricket in Scotland, Cricket Scotland has a simple vision – to unite people and communities through cricket.
We have an exciting opportunity available for an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) professional looking for new challenges on a national level to join our team.
The successful applicant will be responsible for leading Cricket Scotland’s work to embed EDI within the sport every day, providing professional advice and guidance to support Cricket Scotland deliver on the vision, and facilitate strategic change. The post holder will be required to own the delivery of our recently approved 4-year EDI strategy, with the vision: Transforming Through Unity, Diversity, and Belonging for All, and the associated action plan.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Vision & Strategy
- Champion EDI within Cricket Scotland, ensuring EDI is at the heart of strategic decision-making.
- Coordinate the EDI Committee, working alongside the Board nominated Chair responsible for overseeing the implementation of the strategy.
- Continually develop the policies on EDI for Cricket Scotland, ensuring best practice and legal obligations.
- Adopt a data-driven approach, undertaking regular data collection and analysis through periodic surveys, audits, and robust feedback mechanisms, including quantitative metrics and qualitative insights from interviews and focus groups to track progress and inform EDI strategic decision making.
- Provide advice and act as a subject-matter expert on EDI to our Board, suign approach.
- Own the delivery of Cricket Scotland’s EDI strategy and associated Action Plan.
- Provide support and counsel to the Senior Leadership Team to help improve EDI.
- Provide guidance, advice, and resources to colleagues on the subject of equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Design and deliver training programs to raise awareness and understanding of EDI issues among staff, volunteers, match officials, players, and stakeholders.
- Establish systems to monitor and evaluate Cricket Scotland's progress towards EDI goals and produce regular reports to senior management, board and relevant stakeholders.
- Develop documents for Cricket Scotland that outline their commitment to diversity and inclusion and promote EDI within the organisation.
- Advocate and live the Cricket Scotland values of accountability, bravery, inclusiveness, people centered and enjoyment.
- Work closely with the Communications team to ensure careful management of Cricket Scotland’s image and messaging on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Proactively review and advise on Cricket Scotland’s processes, policies, and programmes and carry out equality impact assessments to eliminate bias, improve diversity, and ensure a truly inclusive approach to everything we do.
- Advise on data collection systems to facilitate accurate and ongoing equality profiling,
- Provide expert EDI advice in disciplinary matters where appropriate.
- Identify a programme of events within the calendar that will demonstrate Cricket Scotland’s commitment to improving diversity and inclusion and coordinate the implementation of these events.
- Set up and chair an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion implementation group, ensuring it has a diverse group of individuals at Cricket Scotland to embed positive practices and which allows all views and voices to be heard and needs addressed.
Engagement and Representation
- Ensure Cricket Scotland is inclusive and welcoming to all, embracing equality, diversity and inclusion, and helping drive positive behaviours in all staff to achieve this.
- Engage with the Performance team to ensure diversity and inclusion within the playing and coaching teams, providing support and resources as needed.
- Support individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring they have equal opportunities for participation and advancement within the organisation.
- Provide support and advocacy for individuals who have experienced discrimination or harassment, ensuring fair and equitable resolution of complaints.
- Represent Cricket Scotland in EDI-related forums, conferences, and events, advocating for the organisation's commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Environment
- Promote and continually enhance an environment that both players and staff relish coming to work in, and which reflects the diverse nature of the sport and the communities we serve.
Key Relationships and Stakeholder Management
- Act as the key lead for Cricket Scotland on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion with stakeholders, providing support, leadership, and influence in this area.
- Work closely with senior management to align EDI initiatives with organisational goals and priorities.
- Collaborate with HR to implement inclusive recruitment practices, address HR issues related to EDI, and ensure compliance with employment legislation.
- Engaging with EDI specialist organisations, diversity networks, and community groups to help inform and support implementation of our EDI strategy.
- Partner with community groups and organisations representing diverse communities to promote inclusion and access to cricket at all levels.
- Collaborate with various external organisations specialising in EDI to learn from them and implement best practices in Cricket Scotland.
- Support the CEO to resolve conflicts and complaints within the organisation related to equality, diversity, and inclusion, bringing knowledge and expertise on this.
- Ensure a strong working relationship with Scotland players, coaching and support staff.
- Ensure a strong working relationship with Cricket Scotland’s Communications team and external media outlets and ensure that Scottish cricket and its stance on Equality diversity & Inclusion are well represented and promoted nationally and globally.
Person Specification
The ideal applicant will possess and demonstrate the following:
- Proven experience delivering EDI strategies.
- Experience of ensuring compliance with equality and diversity legislation.
- Demonstrable experience in managing and resolving complex EDI issues, particularly related to race and sex discrimination.
- Demonstrable experience of advising senior staff on policy matters.
- Experience of interagency partnership working.
- Knowledge of the wider EDI landscape and current Scottish priorities.
- Understanding of the material impact of inequality and discrimination.
- Experience in delivering integrated strategic outcomes.
- Strong communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage audiences, speak up about issues and opportunities, and drive best practices.
- Experience of negotiating and influencing senior stakeholders to change policy and practice.
- Capable of building relationships and working effectively with a broad range of stakeholders.
- Ability to produce reliable and comprehensive data to identify ways to create positive outcomes and achieve sustainable change.
- Proactive and solution-oriented, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a matrix organisation.
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to work effectively to deadlines.
- Comfortable and capable of working in an environment prone to media scrutiny.
- Demonstrable organisational skills
- Demonstrable communication skills, both verbal and written
- Excellent report writing skills
- Ability to manage complexity and sensitivity in relation to subject matter.
The following knowledge and experience would be advantageous, but not essential:
- Experience of engaging those who experience the greatest inequalities.
- Experience working within a sports environment.
- Knowledge of EDI issues impacting upon sport or similar environments.
- Experience in delivering training.
Hours of Work
This is a full-time role, working an average of 37.5 hours per week. Due to the nature of the business, a flexible approach to working hours is to be expected; there may be a requirement to be flexible in relation to working hours, which may include working in evenings or weekends.
Salary
£42,357.00-£48,495.00 per annum.
Place of Work
This role is based at the National Cricket Academy, MES Sports Centre, Ravelston, Edinburgh, though there will be the flexibility to occasionally work from home.
Please note successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK or have a Visa that allows them to undertake this form of employment in the UK.
Application Process
To apply for this post, please provide your CV and a covering letter in the first instance, briefly outlining your interest in this role, and what you believe you could offer.