Equality and diversity officer: Job description

Equality and diversity officers work with different equality strands such as gender, race, disability, age, religion and sexual orientation. They work to develop and promote good relations and practices towards these minority groups. This may include community work supporting people who experience some form of discrimination and delivering diversity workshops to communities, staff and volunteers. Many roles also involve the development, monitoring and review of policies and strategies designed to ensure organisations, staff and stakeholders engage with legislative duties.

Equality and diversity officers also ensure that everyone has equal access to services and they aim to stop any negative attitudes. In major companies, officers may specialise in one particular area such as disability or race relations while those in smaller organisations may work across a range of strands.

Typical work activities

The work carried out by equality and diversity officers may differ slightly depending on the area that they specialise in, but in general typical activities are likely to include the following:

• researching, applying and promoting diversity initiatives and sharing best practice;
• providing advice, guidance and support on equality and diversity issues;
• assessing community needs and promoting community cohesion;
• promoting changes within organisations and the wider community;
• developing systems for reporting any incidents of discrimination;
• liaising with community groups and other relevant organisations, e.g. police, local councils, NHS trusts;
• raising awareness in schools, colleges and the wider community;
• dealing with conflict within the community or the workplace;
• interacting with people at all levels and from a wide variety of backgrounds;
• responding to complaints and providing information on options for complainants;
• maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of anti-discriminatory legislation;
• translating equality legislation into practice to ensure organisations meet statutory requirements;
• ensuring Equality Impact Assessments are carried out;
• devising and implementing a Single Equality Scheme;
• writing, implementing and reviewing policy at corporate and service level to embed within wider strategic plans;
• setting targets and/or action plans and monitoring progress;
• demonstrating and publishing how statutory requirements are being met;
• presenting reports and recommendations;
• developing links with key professional bodies;
• representing the organisation on regional and national forums and working groups;
• overseeing and monitoring staff recruitment and staff development;
• preparing and delivering presentations and workshops to staff, stakeholders and partner organisations;
• training, managing and coordinating the work of volunteer staff.