Racial Diversity Enabler

Join us in Promoting Diversity & Inclusion! 

We are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity for an individual passionate about diversity and inclusion to help drive change within the Diocese of Guildford. Our diocesan strategy emphasizes becoming a church that truly reflects the diversity of our community, with a strong focus on racial diversity. 

As the Racial Diversity Enabler (RDE), you will play a pivotal role in enhancing racial diversity across our congregations, parish and Cathedral clergy (lay and ordained), senior clergy and Church House staff. You will develop, enable, and empower diversity champions in each deanery, Church House, and the Diocesan Board of Education. Your efforts will also ensure that individuals from UKME/GMH backgrounds are encouraged and supported to pursue leadership roles, both lay and other positions of responsibility. 

If you are passionate about making a meaningful impact and fostering an inclusive church community, we would love to hear from you. 

The key responsibilities of the role include: 

• Engage in Visible Leadership: Collaborate with senior clergy and the Communications Team to promote visible leadership and engagement in racial diversity through events, social media, the diocese’s website, and other communication channels.  
• Identify and Train Diversity Champions: Recruit and train champions to effectively promote diversity and inclusion across the diocese  
• Develop Training Materials: Create awareness-raising materials and training resources for senior clergy and staff to champion diversity and for use in parishes. 
• Parish Needs Process: Support the Mission Team to mainstream EDI in the Parish Needs Process. 
• Support Leaders: Provide support to ordained and lay leaders in parishes addressing issues of racial diversity and inclusion.  
• Development of a more diverse leadership. Work with Vocations Team, Archdeacons and People Team to improve recruitment to encourage a greater racial diversity of clergy.  
• Update Anti-Racism Toolkit: Regularly update and communicate the diocese’s Anti-Racism Toolkit. 

Please refer to the attached Job Description for the full details of the responsibilities of the Racial Diversity Enabler 

Ideal Candidate Profile:  

• Education: Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience. 
• Experience: Extensive background in addressing diversity and inclusion within a charity or public sector organisation. 
• Skills: Proficient in adult learning and development. 
• Knowledge: Hold a deep understanding of the Church of England culture. 
• Passion: Strong commitment to driving organisational change in diversity and inclusion. 
• Background: Likely to be from a UK Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage background to bring valuable perspectives to the role. 
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have their own vehicle as this position will require travel around the diocese. 

Role Benefits: 

• Competitive salary within the Charity Sector 
• Hybrid working model. 
• 10% non-contributory pension 
• Life assurance at 3x annual salary 
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays 
• Employee assistance programme 
• Opportunities for learning and development. 

Application process:  

Interested candidates should submit their CV along with a detailed supporting statement (cover letter), that addresses the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description. The supporting statement is crucial for the application process; failure to include it will result in the application not being considered.  

Additional information:  

• This role carries an occupational requirement to be a practising Christian in line with the Equality Act 2010. 
• The Diocese of Guildford take our responsibility for the safeguarding of children and adults seriously. Our recruitment processes reflect this commitment. 
• We believe that diversity is a strength. We actively welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities, particularly those who identify as female, younger, of a UK Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage, or disabled, as its essential that we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. 
• If shortlisted, please note that it may not be possible to offer an alternative interview date if you are unable to attend the scheduled one.