EDI & Engagement Lead

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic person to join our organisation on a permanent basis as an Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) and Engagement Lead.

This role is located within the Human Resources team, as part of the CEO's Office, which provides central support to the core operations of the organisation.

The postholder will join SFC at an exciting time of change. Our internal programme to transform and modernise our systems, processes and culture is well underway and we are preparing for the next phase in our journey of transformation which is likely to involve an expansion of the organisation as part of the Scottish Government's reform of the post-16 public body landscape for post-16 education and skills.

For this role we are specifically looking for someone with the experience to review and evaluate our internal approach to EDI, as well as contributing to our work on organisational culture and employee engagement, and to lead and implement change.

Key responsibilities

Lead the work we have started to develop a strategy and action plan for EDI, to ensure we are meeting our regulatory and legal duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and to further support and enhance our inclusive working cultures and practices.

Provide leadership to internal EDI workstreams and projects as required, as set out in the strategy and action plan, including the monitoring and delivery of the Equality Outcomes (EOs) set out in SFC's Mainstreaming Report for 2025-29 (due for publication in March 2025).

Provide leadership to workstreams and projects supporting the development of the organisation's culture and values to support organisational development and transformation.

Ensure appropriate systems are in place to support the training, advice and support for colleagues across SFC to create and refresh Equality Impact Assessments in all aspects of our work.

Lead on identifying suitable learning, both mandatory and developmental, for all staff in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion and additional learning as needed for specific staff groups (such as hiring managers).

Build excellent relationships with colleagues in the Access, Learning and Outcomes directorate who are responsible for our externally facing EDI work, acting as subject matter expert.

Ensure a robust, evidence-based approach is taken to inform the development and implementation of initiatives and interventions.

Contribute to the embedding of equality, diversity and inclusion throughout SFC, including providing ongoing advice and guidance on compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Essential Criteria

It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

Experience of leading a review and evaluation of an internal approach to EDI against compliance requirements and leading and delivering change, where necessary, at pace within the public sector.

Experience of developing an evidence-based approach to EDI, for example using the analysis of staff data by EDI characteristics to inform an approach.

Experience of developing Equality Impact Assessments and providing guidance and advice to colleagues.

Experience of leading and supporting work to develop organisational culture and values in a changing environment.

Ability to work autonomously, take ownership of own work, and prioritise tasks and time appropriately.

Excellent organisational and planning skills, including the ability to work calmly and at pace and the flexibility to manage a diverse range of priorities.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the experience of drafting reports, policies and procedures. The ability to respond to complex issues in an appropriate manner.

A track record of working with and influencing a wide range of stakeholders within an organisation, including senior leadership.

Ability to interpret and explain complex information to audiences with varying degrees of expertise (for example, legislation, codes of practice etc.).

Good IT skills, including in the use of electronic document and records management systems.

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