Equalities Officer
What is the work like?
Equalities officers (or advisers) promote positive practices and attitudes towards particular groups, such as people with ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people and women. They aim to make sure there is no discrimination regarding access to employment, education, training opportunities or services.
As an equalities officer your work could include:
- identifying equality issues within an organisation, introducing new policies and reviewing existing practices
- working with employers to help them achieve a balanced and diverse workforce
- supporting community-based equal opportunities projects to develop strategies for change
- promoting equalities initiatives and events, such as international women's week
- working with local community services, disadvantaged and under-represented groups to understand their needs and gain insight into the effects of prejudice and discrimination
- advising on best practice regarding recruitment, staff development and retention, and monitoring these areas
- making sure advertising and promotional materials are not discriminatory
- working within schools to maximise the potential of children from ethnic minority backgrounds
- preparing and delivering training, presentations and workshops to promote equal opportunities.
In some organisations, you may be known as an equality and diversity officer, or equal opportunities officer.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You will usually need relevant work experience as well as knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues and legislation. You may be at an advantage if you have a background in a field such as law, social work, community work, education or human resources (membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) may also be useful).
Some employers will expect you to have a degree in a subject such as law, psychology, sociology, human resource management or youth and community work. If you have an unrelated degree, it may be useful to take a postgraduate qualification in a subject like race and ethnic relations, disability studies, or equality and diversity. Check with course providers for entry requirements.
To work as an equality and diversity officer within schools, you may need to qualify as a teacher first.
If you have extensive relevant voluntary work experience with community groups, you may be able to start as a trainee or assistant equalities officer.
What further training and development can I do?
You will usually receive on-the-job training from your employer. You may also be encouraged to work towards a relevant qualification, such as:
- NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity
- NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Managing Diversity
- postgraduate qualification in equality and diversity management
- professional qualifications of the CIPD (check the CIPD website for details).
Other relevant short courses may also be offered by local colleges and other training providers.
Where can I go for more information?
London
SW19 1JQ
Tel: 020 8612 6200
7-9 Shaftesbury Square
Belfast
BT2 7DP
Tel: 028 9050 0600
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Trainee officers (or those combining the job with other duties) may earn between £13,000 and £20,000 a year.
- Experienced officers in local authorities, universities or international companies may earn around £35,000 to £40,000.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, you may need to cover evenings or weekends, for example, when working with community groups. Job sharing and part-time hours may also be an option.
You will be mainly office-based, but you will also travel to community organisations and workplaces to attend meetings, workshops and conferences.
This area of work involves dealing with controversial and politically sensitive issues, which can be challenging and potentially stressful.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- a commitment to equal opportunities and an awareness of cultural diversity
- a good understanding of equal opportunities issues and legislation
- the ability to relate to a wide variety of people
- strong spoken and written communication skills
- good listening skills
- the ability to deliver presentations
- good negotiation skills
- the ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team
- an open mind, tact and diplomacy.
For some jobs, you may need the ability to speak a second, community-based language.
What opportunities are there?
You could work with public sector organisations (such as local authorities, the police and civil service), professional bodies (such as the Law Society), large companies, schools and universities. In smaller organisations, human resources departments will often take on the work of an equalities officer.
With experience, good contacts and a sound reputation, you could go on to work as a consultant on a freelance, self-employed basis.
Jobs are advertised in the local and national press, Jobcentre Plus, in job bulletins produced by local councils and on employers' websites. You may also find the following useful for vacancies and further reading: (links open in new window)
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Contact an adviser
Email
Call back
or phone: 0800 100 900
Bilingual advisers available
Face-to-face advice
