Academic Secretary

School/Department:            Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Office 

Job category & level:            Professional, Administrative & Support; Administrative Officer

Hours of Post:                        35 hours per week

The Purpose of the Role: 

The Equality Officer works with the Associate Vice Provost for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (AVPEDI), Head of EDI and the University on the development, implementation and monitoring of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) policies, ensuring compliance with equality and anti-discrimination legislation. The postholder will lead on policy review, updating, redrafting, and presentation to relevant governance bodies. The role involves institutional leadership, coordination of multiple projects, and active engagement with staff, networks, students, and external stakeholders to advance the University’s EDI objectives.

Context: 

Trinity College Dublin is deeply committed to equality and has been home to an Equality Officer role since 2006. Over time, work in this area has broadened, in line with legal and sectoral changes. In 2019, the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Office was established to drive Trinity College Dublin’s work in this area, overseeing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategies and policies, and providing leadership for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion activities, including (but not limited to) Athena Swan, the Trinity Gender Action Plan, the Trinity Race Equality Action Plan, supporting the establishment of a staff Irish Sign Language/English interpreting team, and in providing advisory services. The EDI Office is led by the Associate Vice Provost for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and is managed by the Head of EDI. It is supported by an Executive Officer. 

Trinity College Dublin is seeking to recruit an Equality Officer who will work within the Office of the Vice Provost for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion to provide strategic vision, engage in policy development, and promote practices that support a cohesive approach in Trinity to meaningful inclusion, participation, and representation for students, staff, alumni and visitors. The EDI team also has a compliance oversight role with respect to equality matters, reporting to key agencies on an annual basis. The Equality Officer is the line manager for the team’s EDI Data Analyst and Athena Swan Officer, the Race Equality Officer, Executive Officer, and Irish Sign Language/English interpreters. The Equality Officer will report directly to Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Third-level qualification or equivalent relevant experience. 

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in EDI or related policy development, preferably in higher education. 

• In-depth knowledge of equality legislation, human rights frameworks and issues affecting staff and students. 

• Demonstrated success in leading EDI projects from inception to project completion/evaluation with multiple stakeholders. 

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills. 

• Strong analytical, writing, and reporting abilities. 

• Budget management experience. 

• Proficiency in IT systems and data handling in line with GDPR. 

• Ability to work flexibly, independently, and as part of a team. 

• Commitment to confidentiality, integrity, and continuous improvement