About the job

Summary

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the regulator of equality and human rights for Great Britain. We are Great Britain’s national equality body and a United Nations accredited National Human Rights Institution. We were established by the Equality Act 2006 and our job is to protect and promote equality and human rights across England, Scotland and Wales. We do this by safeguarding and enforcing the laws that protect people’s rights to fairness, dignity and respect.

Britain has a strong reputation as a global leader in equality and human rights and we are committed to ensuring this continues into the future. We are ambitious to achieve maximum impact with the powers and levers available to us to bring about change in society and make a difference to individual’s lives.

As a statutory non-departmental public body, we are funded by HM Treasury via the Cabinet Office, but we operate independently of governments.

We pride ourselves on being a flexible and inclusive employer. We celebrate difference, embrace diversity and support all our people to thrive at work. If this sounds interesting - apply to join us!

Job description

We are looking for an experienced senior leader, with a proven track record in qualitative and quantitative research to lead our data and evidence team. The data and evidence team play a vital role in supporting the aims and objectives of the Commission, ensuring that as an independent statutory body we provide expert and authoritative advice on equality and human rights issues across Great Britain. The team ensures we have a sound evidence base to support our work, and develops an understanding of what works to improve equality and human rights outcomes. This includes commissioning and undertaking research on trends and issues, and producing our statutory report to Parliament on the progress of equality and human rights in Britain. It also includes ensuring the Commission’s regulatory interventions, including inquiries and investigations, and our human rights monitoring work, is evidence led.

This is an opportunity to join a professional multi-disciplinary team and make a real difference by leading the development and implementation of our data and evidence strategy which will support the Commission’s Strategic Plan for the next 3 years.

Responsibilities

We are recruiting to a new post of Head of Data and Evidence. Reporting to the Director for Strategy and Evidence, you will:

• Lead and manage a multi-disciplinary team of 12 members of staff drawn from a range of research disciplines, many of whom have post-doctoral research experience.

• Lead development and implementation of the Commission’s data and evidence strategy and key projects.

• Quality assure how the Commission uses data and evidence throughout its work programmes, working closely with the Leadership Team and the Board, ensuring the Commission has the right data and evidence capabilities to deliver its priorities.

• Develop and manage strategic relationships with the Government Statistical and Research Services, as well as with independent ‘What Works’ centres, and the wider research community.

What we are looking for

A proven senior leader you will have:

• A strong grounding in a relevant qualitative or quantitative research discipline, ideally with a post-graduate level qualification.

• Strategic leadership skills and a strong track record in designing and managing research programmes and in leading and managing teams of researchers and analysts, both providing professional advice and support, as well as effective leadership and line management.

• An excellent understanding of different research methodologies, and an ability to provide expert advice on the use and interpretation of data and statistics, and translate key points confidently to senior internal and external audiences in an accessible way.

• Experience of overseeing and quality assuring research and data as well as strong project planning and management skills to ensure delivery of high profile and complex programmes of work to tight deadlines.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, and an ability to proactively develop external relationships in order to build the credibility of the Commission and pursue opportunities for collaboration.

You will be assessed against our core skills (Leadership, Delivery Management and Stakeholder Engagement) and the knowledge, skills and experience required for the role in the application form. Please provide evidence and examples from your work history or other aspects of your life to demonstrate how you meet the criteria required. Full criteria details can be found in the candidate pack. Your technical skills and understanding will be tested at the interview stage

Benefits

The salary for this role is £61,117.92 plus £3,200 London Weighting Allowance (if London based).

Those joining us from the Civil Service on a level transfer, will be offered the pay point closest to their current salary, wherever possible.

Flexible working patterns

Annual leave entitlement of 30 days plus 8 public holidays (pro-rated for part time employees)

Access to Civil Service Pension Scheme and Partnership Pension Schemes

Employee Assistance Programme

Season ticket loans

Employee benefits portal

Payment of professional subscriptions

Allowances

£3,200 London weighting (if London-based)