As an equal opportunities’ employer, we particularly welcome applications from United Kingdom Minority Ethnic / Global Majority Heritage (UKME/GMH) candidates who are currently underrepresented in our organisation. All appointments will be made on merit of skill and experience relative to the role.
Job Purpose:
The Racial Justice Officer is an important role which will continue to assist the Diocese of Liverpool grow healthy church communities that fully represent the wide ethnic and cultural make up of people living across the Diocese. The postholder will contribute to the Diocese and Cathedral vision for diversity and inclusion – considering the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
We are looking for a talented leader who can continue the work of our Diocese Anti-Racist Strategy: From Repentance to Repair and develop new initiatives that will progress the objectives therein. These include increasing the number of UKME/GMH vocations (lay and ordained) and working alongside our school programmes and informal education settings and Liverpool Cathedral. The postholder will also enable learning opportunities on Race Awareness to be accessed across the Diocese, working with both communities that evidence a significant proportion of UKME residents and those with far less, as well as those who evidence a genuine diversity in the local population.
Key responsibilities include:
* Enabling the current workstreams outlined in the Diocesan anti-racist strategy to be completed, funding reports submitted and any future projects developed.
* Managing a small team of practitioners to deliver the anti-racist strategy and training programmes
* Working with colleagues to facilitate the development of existing Racial Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives such as The Slavery Truth Project, anti-racist training, schools programme, vocations & Diocesan Disability Advisory Group.
* Working with colleagues to facilitate the development of new initiatives appropriate to the aims of the strategy.
* Working within the structures of local communities, across the spread of apparent diversity (including not only those that are predominantly UKME/GMH but also those that are predominantly white) to both raise awareness and acceptance of racial diversity and enable an understanding of appropriate provision for those of different ethnic backgrounds.
* Working with the Interfaith lead to develop relationships with other faith groups representing a predominantly UKME/GMH membership.
* Developing a culturally appropriate approach to worship, invitation to explore faith and discipleship.
* Working with schools and informal education settings to enable development of racial & ethnic diversity, facilitate anti-racist training and engaging in other appropriate initiatives
* Working with Liverpool Cathedral to enable development of racial & ethnic diversity, facilitate anti-racist training and engaging in other appropriate initiatives
* Facilitating an increase in the number of UKME/GMH ordained and lay vocations.
* Acting as an advocate for Racial Justice in Diocesan structures including opportunities to contribute to senior leadership strategic planning, alongside the Social Justice team.
The job holder will also work in partnership with schools, chaplaincies and the cathedral in terms of learning from their experience of diverse communities and sharing best practice.
Other key responsibilities include:
Help identify and promote best practice regarding racial justice, diversity and inclusion.
* Work with the Director of Social Justice, the Dean of Women & Diversity, the Canon of Reconciliation, as well as the Dean of Liverpool Cathedral, Director of Education, Director of Ministry and Leader Development, Lead Diocesan Vocations Adviser & Director of Ordinands, ADDO s and Vocations Advisors.
* Undertake such other reasonable duties as may be required by the senior leadership of the Diocese.
* Promote diversity, equity and inclusion in employment practices and leadership relationships, and role model inclusive behaviours in accordance with supporting the diocese to uphold principles and practices of equality of opportunity, as detailed in its strategies and policies, and in accordance with its legal obligations and theological values.
It is therefore an Occupational Requirement (Schedule 9 part 1 of the Equality Act 2010) of this post to have a committed Christian faith.
The post holder will have a fully equipped workstation within the Diocesan offices. The nature of the post will require work to be undertaken in locations around the Diocese. Some meetings and training events will take place during evenings and weekends, for which time off in lieu will need to be taken. The post holder will be expected to work within the terms and conditions operated by the Diocesan Board of Finance.