Job overview
The Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) plays a pivotal role in providing strategic guidance, leadership, and expert advice across a diverse spectrum of equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. This Maternity cover role is integral to advancing the objectives and priorities outlined in the Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust Strategy and People Plan. This post is also fundamental in keeping HHFT legally compliant in relation to the Equality Act and Public Sector Equality Duty.
The role will develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and utilise key forums to raise awareness of and promote the equality, diversity and inclusion work across the trust whilst offering specialist advice, expertise and guidance on all matters of EDI.
Analyse the local implications of national or local equality frameworks and develop appropriate implementation strategies to promote equality.
Provide support and continued guidance to our Equality and Diversity staff networks to increase engagement and build trust.
You will have broad and credible EDI knowledge able to influence at all levels and turn ambition into action.
Main duties of the job
Lead and shape the Trust’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) vision, translating strategy into meaningful action aligned with organisational priorities. Provide expert advice and assurance on compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty. Develop and influence policy to embed fairness, equity and inclusion across workforce and organisational practices. Build strong partnerships with staff networks, leaders, trade unions and external stakeholders to drive cultural change. Champion learning and inclusion, delivering training and development that builds understanding and inclusive behaviours. Use insight and data to identify inequalities, inform decision‑making and demonstrate measurable improvement.
Working for our organisation
Our vision is to provide outstanding care for every patient. Patient care is at the heart of what we do at our three sites: Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and Andover War Memorial Hospital. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides medical and surgical services to a population of approximately 600,000 people across Hampshire and parts of West Berkshire.
Our cultural ambition is to have a culture that places people at the heart of all we do, where we all belong, and where learning, improvement and excellence thrive.
We provide specialist services to people across the UK and internationally. We are one of only two centres in the UK treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (a rare form of abdominal cancer) and we are leaders in the field of tertiary liver cancer and colorectal cancer.
The trust employs more than 9,000 staff and has a turnover of over £500 million a year. As a Foundation Trust, we are directly accountable to our members through the governors. The Council of Governors represent the interests of their constituencies and influence the future plans of the Foundation Trust.
Your Next Career Move Made Easier – Accommodation May Be Offered
We understand relocating can be a big step. Hampshire Hospitals may be able to provide accommodation options for successful candidates, depending on availability. If this something you would like to explore please contact on 02080 360017
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please find attached the Job Description and Person Specification for detailed further information and requirements.
Person specification
Training and Qualification
Essential criteria
1. Relevant Master’s level qualification (or equivalent) or evidence of equitable experience of working at a similar specialist area
2. Evidence of continued professional development of comparable experience
3. Working knowledge of equality legislation and best practice.
Desirable criteria
4. Graduate Member of CIPD or evidence of equitable experience of working at a similar specialist area
5. Professional qualification in equality and diversity, organisation development, leadership, or equivalent theoretical and practical expertise in a relevant area
Experience and Knowledge
Essential criteria
6. Evidence of developing and implementing equality and diversity strategies and initiatives that have demonstrated positive outcomes.
7. Demonstrate effective communication strategies that are embedded across a large complex organisation
8. Evidence of contributing to the successful delivery of organisational development and change programmes affecting EDI.
9. Good understanding of the barriers to equality of opportunity and diversity and strategies to overcome them.
Desirable criteria
10. Experience of developing projects that addressed inequality and improved equality outcomes for clients and staff.
11. Experience of delivering key reports for example EDS2 /WDES/ WRES and building organisational capacity to identify and respond to diverse and changing needs.
Skills and Ability
Essential criteria
12. Well-developed understanding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and an ability to communicate these clearly to a broad range of stakeholders
13. Ability and experience of working with groups protected by the Equality Act 2010 and ensuring they are fully able to access and contribute to complex Trust initiatives and material
14. Excellent communication skills, verbal and written including board reports
15. Ability to work as part of a team and ability to work self-sufficiently and prioritise workload when under pressure
16. Personal commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of service delivery and employment practices
17. Ability to role model high quality Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practice
18. Confident to deliver sometimes contentious and difficult messages to a broad range of stakeholders.
19. Able to demonstrate behaviours that meet the Trust Values
Other Role Specific Requirements
Essential criteria
20. Ability to travel independently to multiple sites across the operational area of the Trust