Workplace and Inclusion Officer – Community Organisation

Hours: 9.30–17.30 Monday to Thursday; 9.00 – 14.00 Friday

General Description:

The Workplace and Inclusion Officer will be the staff member responsible for the Board of Deputies’ work to ensure British Jews flourish in the workplace and in other parts of society including when accessing public services, especially health services and education. This includes combatting discrimination that may stem from antisemitism and promoting Jewish cultural competence. The post holder will be the staff lead on the Board of Deputies “BoD@Work” workstream, which includes supporting and developing Jewish Staff Networks, advocating for workplace best practices, and engaging with civil society, professional bodies, and Trade Unions to foster inclusive environments. The officer will also contribute to the goal of fostering inclusion within the Board and act as the Secretariate for the Under 35’s Assembly. The Officer will conduct this work in collaboration with the Boards’ wider Public Affairs Team and in support of the Boards’ Honorary Officers.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Supporting Jews in the Workplace

• Responsibility for BoD@Work programming.

• Onboarding new Jewish Staff Networks (JSNs) to BoD@Work.

• Maintaining and growing a contact list of JSN leads across sectors.

• Meeting regularly with JSN leads to discuss workplace issues.

• Facilitating quarterly JSN Community of Practice meetings.

• Providing signposting to Jewish employees facing workplace issues, including discrimination.

• Advocating for Jewish friendly workplace practices and developing workplace-related policies and best practice guides, building relationships and collaborating with key stakeholders, including trade unions, professional associations, and workplace diversity leaders.

• Promoting and distributing resources, including the Board of Deputies’ Employers Guide to Judaism, toolkits, and recommended training.

• Engaging with corporate EDI leads and organisational leaders.

• Organising events, including an annual workplace conference.

• Monitor Trade Union, staff network, and professional body activity to identify challenges for Jewish Staff Members.

Tackling Barriers to Jewish Access and Inclusion in public services, especially health and education

• Supporting the Jewish Health Equity Partnership (JHEP) on tackling healthcare inequalities and supporting Jewish healthcare professionals.

• Supporting the wider Public Affairs Team in issues relating to the experience of Jews in Schools, Colleges and Higher Education.

• Assisting the wider Public Affairs Team on work related to tackling inequalities related to Jewish access to other public services.

• Assessing and proposing ways the Board can promote capacity building within the public sector to challenge antisemitism and foster inclusivity.

Policy and other tasks related to workplace and inclusion:

• Monitoring and reporting on emerging policies, including legislation, and identifying opportunities for engagement and advocacy.

• Briefing and preparation for key external stakeholder engagements.

• Providing policy support, including drafting policy papers and submissions to Government and Parliamentary consultations.

• Assisting the wider Public Affairs Team in maintaining partnerships with Government officials on these issues in relevant Departments including Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST), Health and Social Care (DHSC), Education, and Housing Community and Local Government (MHCLG).

• Providing administrative support to Senior Management as required.

• Act as the Secretariat for the Board’s Under-35 Assembly

General Responsibilities

• Assist team members in other Public Affairs matters in line with team needs and priorities. These could include providing briefing papers on social media monitoring and providing weekend comms cover on a rota basis.

• Assist other teams with related projects and provide cover for urgent issues as necessary.

• Maintain familiarity with organisational priorities and represent the organisation at external events.

• Always acting in line with the Board’s Staff Handbook.

• Any other responsibilities as required by the organisation.

Additional Information

• Approximately 80% of working time to be devoted to workplace and inclusion issues, 20% to be dedicated to General Responsibilities, in consultation with your line manager. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential experience, skills and knowledge

• Experience of developing and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Understanding of antisemitism, Jewish communal life in the UK, and the barriers that can affect Jewish people in workplaces, education, public services and wider society.

• Strong written communication skills, including clearly and accurately drafting briefings, guidance, correspondence and public-facing materials.

• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, able to engage sensitively and professionally with people at different levels of seniority.

• Ability to organise meetings, events and networks, including agendasetting, follow-up, record-keeping and stakeholder communication.

• Good research and analytical skills, including the ability to monitor policy developments, identify emerging issues and summarise their implications.

• Ability to handle sensitive or confidential information with discretion, sound judgement and professionalism.

• Good administrative and organisational skills, including the ability to maintain focus on long-term projects whilst managing urgent and reactive tasks, keep accurate records, and work to deadlines.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while also taking responsibility for defined projects and areas of work.

• Familiarity with Jewish religious and cultural practice, including issues that may arise in workplace or public service settings.

• Familiarity of the UK Jewish community and its institutions

• Education to university degree level or equivalent.

Desirable experience, skills and knowledge

• Experience or knowledge of fields relevant to the role including workplace

inclusion; employee networks; public services especially related to education or healthcare; or equalities and anti-discrimination policy.

• Experience of producing guidance, toolkits or training materials.

• Experience of convening meetings, roundtables, conferences or stakeholder forums.

• Use of software including Salesforce and Asana.

• Basic knowledge and ability to use popular social media platforms.

Personal qualities

• Diplomatic, resilient and able to build trust with people holding a range of perspectives.

• Proactive, practical and solutions-focused, with the ability to turn relationships and ideas into tangible outputs

• Careful, balanced and politically aware in handling sensitive issues

For more information about the role, or to receive a personal recommendation, please contact our recruitment team. Melissa – melissa@theworkavenue.org.uk or Yael – yb@theworkavenue.org.uk

Code: J-02