Chair – Equality and Human Rights

Overview

Chair – Equality and Human Rights Commission. Closes 11th December.

This is an exciting time to join the Equality and Human Rights Commission. We are seeking a strong, strategic leader who will continue to develop the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and set the Commission’s overall direction to reflect its crucial role as an independent equality body and National Human Rights Institution.

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website.

The EHRC is Britain’s independent equality and human rights regulator and has been awarded an ‘A’ status as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) by the United Nations. Its role is to help make Britain fairer and it achieves this by safeguarding and enforcing the laws that protect people’s rights to fairness, dignity and respect.

The Chair has responsibility for ensuring the Board operates effectively, makes collegiate and inclusive decisions, and provides effective strategic leadership on matters such as:

• formulating the Board’s strategy for discharging its statutory duties and delivering its functions, including consulting on its Strategic plan;
• leading the Board and, in partnership with the Chief Executive, setting the overall direction, policy and plans for the Commission;
• encouraging high standards of propriety and promoting the efficient and effective use of resources throughout the organisation;
• representing the views of the Board to the general public;
• building and maintaining positive and effective working relationships with Ministers, Parliamentarians and other Senior Stakeholders, both nationally and internationally;
• representing the Commission as a visible national champion for equality and human rights;
• supporting Commissioners, including the Chief Executive, in undertaking their roles, including agreeing objectives, and undertaking annual appraisals; and
• establishing a relationship of trust with the Chief Executive, informing him/her of key developments in a timely manner and seeking advice and support as appropriate.

Working in partnership with the Chief Executive, and other members of the Board, the Chair will have responsibility for:

• strategic leadership of the Board in setting the overall direction, policy and plans for the Commission
• encouraging high standards of propriety and supporting the Chief Executive to promote the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources in the context of financial constraints; representing the EHRC in discussions with Ministers and forging strong relations with Whitehall, Parliament, and various strategic partners, domestically and internationally;
• supporting Commissioners, including the Chief Executive, in undertaking their roles, including agreeing objectives and undertaking annual appraisals;
• raising the external profile of the EHRC; including through high-profile enforcement involving inquiries and investigations;
• articulating a clear vision of how the EHRC can support fair and effective enforcement of the equality law in Great Britain, and working collaboratively with the Office for Equality and Opportunity to maximise the EHRC’s impact.

In addition, as a member of the Board, the Chair shares corporate responsibility for:

• agreeing the Commission’s strategic plan, business plan and priorities and ensuring delivery of its business plan;
• ensuring that the Commission has proper internal controls, systems and processes in place to safeguard the use of public funds and manage risk; and
• promoting and protecting the EHRC’s position, values, mission, vision, integrity, image and reputation.

Whilst the Chair has overall responsibility for the performance of the Board, all members of the Board have an important individual and collective role in working with the Chair, the Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team to evolve the strategic direction of the body, to ensure delivery goals, and to ensure that it fulfils the governance, financial management, and efficiency standards required of it as a public body.

The Board currently comprises 11…