Advance HE

Associate: Race Equality Charter Action Plan Guidance and Template

Advance HE works globally to help higher education shape its future. We bring together HE-focused expertise from across our entire sector in teaching and learning; equality, diversity, and inclusion; leadership, and governance, to help universities to deliver a world-class experience for their students. We do this through the provision of specialist knowledge and resources, externally recognised benchmarking and recognition schemes, and a member-focused, collaborative approach.

Advance HE are currently looking for a new Associate to work on the development of guidance for the Race Equality Charter’s (REC) framework following a review of the Charter. The purpose of this project is to develop guidance that supports Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to develop a REC Action Plan for supporting institutions on their journey to advancing race equality, underpinned by a SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-based).

Please note: this is a contract role not a salaried position. You will not become an employee of Advance HE.

Advance HE seeks to invite applications for an Associate with experience and expertise in equality, diversity, and inclusion within the higher education sector, with a particular preference for candidates with expertise in race equity and knowledge of the Race Equality Charter (REC). 

The Associate will work together with the REC team and a project group to support in delivering an enhanced service to members through the redevelopment of the Charter which includes the development of guidance and templates for HEIs to redevelop the action plan guidance for institutions to advance race equality.

Project’s Purpose and Outputs

The overarching ambition is for the survey to do the following:

  • Explore current REC Action Plans from existing submissions;
  • Consider guidance;
  • Develop a meaningful action plan template for institutions to use for the REC framework;
  • Develop step-by-step guidance and supporting materials that enable institutions to be able to:
    • Develop an action plan with their REC Self-Assessment Team and relevant stakeholders;
    • Explore how existing race action plans can complement the REC framework
    • To clearly define the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-based);
    • Guidance on communicating the action plan to the institutional community.

Project’s Outputs

The proposed outputs we would like from this project are:

  • A revised REC Action Plan template for the REC framework;
  • Guidance and support on how to develop a REC action plan;
  • Guidance on how to utilise existing race action plans into the REC application.

For transparency, it is expected that the final products will be shared with institutions and the wider HE and research sector. All data collected by the associate during the project shall be passed to Advance HE at the conclusion of the project and any copies of said data, or related analysis, held by the associates, are to be destroyed at this point.

We are looking for an Associate who can demonstrate the following:

  • Experience developing race action plans and/or for the REC;
  • Experience working with equalities data for use within the Higher Education sector;
  • Some knowledge of the Athena SWAN or REC framework in Higher Education institutions or departments;
  • Experience of working in Equality Diversity and Inclusion;
  • Facilitative and supportive verbal and written communication skills to reach a wider range of stakeholders.

Time commitment and Remuneration:

It is expected that Associates will be available for approximately 10 days (£350 per day) of work between June–July 2022.

To apply:

To apply, please click on 'Apply for this job' and submit a cover letter and CV. In your cover letter (800-1000 words) please describe specifically how you meet the criteria above and in your CV (no more than 2 pages) please list your work history, qualifications, and certifications.

For any queries to do with this role, please write to Dr Arun Verma (Head of the Race Equality Charter) at [email protected]

Application deadline:  Sunday 22nd May 2022.

The selection process will commence Monday 23rd May 2022.

Please note: Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK as Advance HE does not hold a sponsor license.

Advance HE is committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We are also committed to creating and sustaining a fully inclusive culture; for instance, through our Race Action Group. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented at Advance HE and in our sector and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. We are particularly keen to receive applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic people.