Equality and Diversity Officer Job Description

What is the job description of an Equality and Diversity Officer? What are the duties and responsibilities of an Equality and Diversity Officer? What does an Equality and Diversity Officer do?

Job description of an Equality and Diversity Officer

Equality and diversity officers aim to promote good relations and practices towards different minority groups. These generally include the equality strands of gender, race, disability, age, religion and sexual orientation.

Their work 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 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.

This Equality and Diversity Officer job description example includes the list of most important Equality and Diversity Officer duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Equality and Diversity Officer profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Equality and Diversity Officer Duties and Responsibilities

Equality and Diversity Officer job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Responding to complaints and providing information on options for complainants;
  • Presenting reports and recommendations;
  • Translating equality legislation into practice to ensure organisations meet statutory requirements;
  • Preparing and delivering presentations and workshops to staff, stakeholders and partner organisations.
  • Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of anti-discriminatory legislation;
  • Writing, implementing and reviewing policy at corporate and service level;
  • 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;
  • Researching, applying and promoting diversity initiatives and sharing best practice;
  • 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;

Equality and Diversity Officer Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Equality and Diversity Officer job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • A degree in any discipline may be accepted, but the most relevant subjects include law, psychology, business, management, education, social/community work, public administration and sociology/social sciences.
  • A postgraduate degree in equality and diversity, race and ethnic relations and disability studies may be helpful.
  • Previous relevant work experience is essential.
  • Good listening skills
  • The ability to relate to a wide range of people
  • Open-mindedness
  • Patience
  • Negotiation skills.
  • Verbal and written communication skills
  • Maturity
  • Confidence

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Equality and Diversity Officer starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Equality and Diversity Officer job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of an Equality and Diversity Officer may also reference it in preparation for the interview.