'ability not disability'

Post: Interim Head of Race and Diversity
Reports to: Director of the Leadership Academy
Grade: Grade F (£33,200 - £41,500)
Location: The post is centred at Centrex, HQ, Bramshill, Hampshire but working out of other locations will be considered.

Job Summary:

The post holder is responsible to the Director of the Leadership Academy, a member of the Centrex Senior Management Team.

The Race and Diversity Unit came into existence in April 2003 as a progression from the Community and Race Relations Development team responsible for delivering the ACPO programme of work in response to the recommendations of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.

You will also be a member of the Directorate’s Management Team. You will be expected to contribute to the overall management of the Directorate and contribute to the development of the Directorate’s strategy for supporting the excellence to which the organisation aspires.

As Interim Head of the Race and Diversity Unit, you will be responsible for the unit organisation and direction and how best it will achieve the Home Secretary’s objectives.

Management Responsibilities:
The appointed person will manage and co-ordinate the work of the Race and Diversity Unit which comprises 7 staff who are based in Bramshill. There will also be a budget management responsibility, with the post holder responsible for operating sound budgetary control according to Centrex Financial Standing Orders and Budget manual.

Job Content: Key objectives are:

· To provide sound, timely and objective policy advice to Centrex on race and diversity issues
· To provide strong leadership within the Unit and across Centrex units so as to achieve their objective of promoting diversity in the provision of training and development and to achieve a representative workforce
· To develop and maintain effective working relationships with the Home Office and with organisations outside the Civil Service who can play a key role in achieving race and diversity
· To manage staff and the financial resources of the Unit so as to enable staff to achieve their objectives and fulfil their potential, and to achieve best value from the financial resources available
· To contribute actively to the broader thinking and leadership of the Directorate and the organisation as a whole

Specific Responsibilities include:

· Promoting work to achieve the targets of a fully representative workforce
· Working with senior managers in Centrex to continually review the organisation’s diversity strategy, its impact and effectiveness.
· Oversight of the implications of equality legislation and Directives and providing policy position on the impact for Centrex
· Developing and maintaining links with diversity groups where appropriate, so their policies and input can improve our work
· Providing a strategic lead on the implementation of Home Office and other Government recommendations impacting on the work of Centrex
· Developing the Centrex Equality Scheme, in accordance with the Race Relations (Amendment) Act, 2000 and the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.
· Managing Centrex Race and Diversity infrastructure including the Steering Group and Lay Advisory Panel.
· Developing and implementing the year one deliverables for the Centrex Centre of Excellence in Diversity and supporting the Programme Board.

Resources: The Unit’s budget for 2006/07 is £425,000

Person Specification:
The right person for this job will be able to demonstrate a successful track record in each of the following areas:

· Experience:

1. Experience of working at a strategic level in the public, voluntary or private sector or in a large complex organisation
2. Proven track record of success in leadership and strategic management
3. Experience of working as part of a senior management team
4. Proven record of success in managing diversity issues
5. Experience of building effective and productive relationships with a range of stakeholders, preferably involving Government Departments and the voluntary and community sector
6. Experience of policy development and implementation
7. Experience of programme development which links policy and organisational strategy to achieving tangible results
8. Experience of leading change in service delivery for performance improvement
9. Sound track record of staff and resource management

· Knowledge and Skills:

1. Ability to communicate and present well as an ambassador for Centrex and act as a representative on furthering the diversity agenda
2. Ability to influence and negotiate at a senior level to secure confidence of colleagues and to sustain commitment and participation from a wide range of stakeholders and partner agencies
3. An understanding of the Government’s emerging civil renewal and community involvement agenda and recent legislation on race and diversity issues
4. Ability to deliver results and add value through leadership and performance management techniques
5. Ability to work under pressure
6. Ability to work across teams
7. Ability to be flexible

· Personal Qualities:

1. Strong leadership and team management skills
2. A commitment to the promotion of equality issues and a passion for making a difference
3. A strategic player
4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
5. Strong influencing and negotiating skills
6. An effective builder of professional relationships and networks
7. A high degree of energy
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Category: General     Posted: Jun 2, 2006