Head of Equality and Access to Justice

Requirements of the role

The purpose of this role is to lead on the BSB’s priority to promote equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar, whilst providing executive leadership to the organisation on equality, diversity and inclusion matters. An opportunity to make a real impact on the Bar and those it serves, it will lead our response to the recent report of the Independent Review of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment at the Bar by Baroness Harman, which has highlighted the need to improve the culture at the Bar, to ensure that it is a profession for people from all backgrounds. This is a long-term project that will involve working with the profession and others to achieve our desired outcomes.

Key responsibilities of the post:

• Strategic thought leadership, challenging the BSB and the profession to achieve improved equality and diversity outcomes and a more inclusive culture, setting clear long-term goals;

• Working with internal and external stakeholders to achieve those goals, by: influencing colleagues and stakeholders; outreach and speaking engagements; delivering training; and promoting good practice;

• Ensuring that the BSB has appropriate policies in place to achieve its aims to promote equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar. This includes appropriate regulatory arrangements (such as rules and guidance for the profession) and internal policies and procedures, where appropriate.

Key skills and experience required including:

• Excellent policy development, project management, and forward planning skills, with experience of implementing and managing policy development in a regulatory or similar context

• Strategic thinking and analytical skills, with an ability to present complex information and difficult messages clearly and persuasively

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentations

• Detailed knowledge and understanding of equality and diversity law and policy and related training methodologies

• Experience of providing expert advice and training on equality and diversity and anti-discriminatory practice

• Knowledge and understanding of the structure of the legal profession

• Relationship building and collaboration – Ability to work as part of a team, develop and maintain internal and external relationships and networks, credibility with senior stakeholder and an ability to deal with difficult situations, people and issues

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