Diversity and Inclusion Learning and Development Professional

This post sits within the Defence Leadership Centre (DLC). It is one of three centres that makes up the Defence Leadership and Business (DLaB) Group at the Defence Academy. It focuses on developing the Leadership, Business and Spiritual Edge required to maintain the strategic and operational advantage. Our mission is to develop and deliver educational outcomes that enable Defence people to lead, manage and develop themselves, their teams, and their organisations confidently and competently.

This post has been funded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Conduct Equity and Justice (CEJ) Directorate for an initial period of 3 years with a possibility of up to a 2-year extension.  The purpose of the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Learning and Development Professional is to maintain, create, own, and deliver a blended methodology of new Defence specific D & I Programmes and Initiatives.

Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities.  Throughout, the Command’s transformation programme is committed to following the MOD’s framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Command’s personnel and Trade Unions.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

This post offers the exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the MoD’s new D & I Programmes and Initiatives, which will include the use of Psychometric tools, in the delivery of:

•  Holistic Allies Training

 As well as additional training requirements which are currently anticipated to include – but are not exclusive to:

1. Public Sector Equality Duty
2. Personal Perspectives
3. Unacceptable Sexual Behaviour

 This post will be required to maintain online and virtual delivery of coherent, relevant D & I Training & Education (T & E) interventions which satisfies customer demand and maintains Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT) compliance, continuous improvement, and quality management.

The role requires an experienced learning designer and facilitator with a knowledge of D&I within a complex organisation.

The DLaB Group delivers a mixture of Face to Face and Virtual Training and Education interventions across its Portfolio offering the ability to work from home and office in a hybrid working pattern.

 At the DLC, it’s our people that make us great. Everyone should feel comfortable being themselves and supported to do their best work. We’ll achieve the extraordinary by celebrating different backgrounds and perspectives.

The Ministry of Defence’s Conduct Equity and Justice (CEJ) Directorate Team leads on setting the strategic direction for D&I across Defence (military and civilian). The team supports the delivery of the Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2030 – ‘A Force for Inclusion’, which is intended to transform Defence through enabling a step-change in the diversity of our workforce. Defence needs to reflect the society that it protects but at present that also means that we share many of the inequalities that continue to exist in our society.  The events of recent years and months have served as a reminder that it will take effort to create and sustain an environment where people feel able to be authentic in the workplace; where everyone’s needs are considered; and where people feel respected and able to achieve their full potential. The Whole Force – our Service Personnel, Civil Servants and contractors – are expected to play their part in building an organisation where difference is valued, and where every individual has a positive lived experience.

This is an exciting and challenging time to be working in D&I. DLC are a supportive, innovative, energetic, and creative team, working jointly on several projects with vision and determination, in a rapidly changing environment. Working together, sharing knowledge, and developing effective working relationships with colleagues is essential to our success.  We work with multiple stakeholders across Defence, cross government, and external organisations. D&I is an issue of highest priority at the most senior levels of government from the Prime Minister and Defence Ministers to Service Chiefs and the Permanent Secretary. Their commitment has enabled the team to grow with a new Director for Diversity and Inclusion being recruited alongside an additional 17 posts.  This position offers an excellent opportunity to make a real difference, working together to change culture and behaviours to make Defence a diverse and inclusive employer of choice. 

Design:

• Design and develop the D&I learning interventions exploiting different methods and media for a blended approach aligned with the Defence Academy’s Digitalisation Strategy.
• Design research-based online, blended and face-to-face learning to achieve the required training objectives.

Delivery:

• Develop and maintain the ability to deliver DLC D&I interventions/portfolio, a combination of virtual and face-to-face classroom delivery and facilitation.

Governance:

• Accountable for ensuring that all compliance documentation is created, maintained, reviewed, and updated for your areas of responsibility.
• Work collaboratively with the governance and assurance team to ensure continuous improvement systems are in place.
• Responsible for analysis and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual evaluations, providing essential information to the Customer Executive Working Group to meet the needs of Defence.

Development:

• Undertake the necessary professional development to maintain currency in your area of responsibility and to remain abreast of the latest developments in D&I thinking and policy.
• Undertake the necessary professional development to maintain currency in Learning and Development (L&D) practices to ensure methodologies remain relevant and reflect best practice.
• Maintain a Continuous Professional Development Plan.
• Support the development of DLaB colleagues via supervision sessions providing feedback.

 This list can never be exhaustive, and, from time to time, be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as reasonably required by your line manager.

 Person specification

Essential:

• A creative and innovative learning designer championing digital solutions
• Experienced in designing online, blended, and face-to-face interventions
• Demonstrates a solid foundation of learning theory and design principles
• Experienced in delivering D&I interventions
• An accomplished facilitator of diverse cohorts
• Able to facilitate dynamic discussions in an inclusive and professional manner
• Proactive in analysing and reviewing data to continuously enhance learning
• Knowledge of creating, reviewing, and maintaining compliance documentation following quality assurance criteria to ensure learning interventions meet a required standard
• Proactive in continuing professional development to maintain currency in D&I specialism, L&D practices, and personal self-development
• Be confident in communicating across various means, including face-to-face, email, online collaboration through Skype and Microsoft Teams, and written documentation appropriate for a professional environment
• Collaborative, inclusive and engaging; able to form and maintain appropriate networks
• Develop relationships, building trust and rapport at pace
• Experienced in managing projects, responsible and accountable for delivering against tasks
• Have strong organisational skills with an ability to prioritise, work under pressure to meet demands
• Work as part of a team and a willingness to learn, with a strong can-do attitude
• Practical and evidence-based decision making
• Excellent digital skills: MS Office software and Learning Management System (LMS)

Desirable:

• Membership of a recognised professional body (CIPD, CMI, ILM etc.)
• Professional coaching qualification at Level 5 or equivalent

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Bitesize Delivery session
• Bitesize Delivery Teaching Specification
• Bitesize Delivery – post session questions

Some of the many benefits you will receive:

• Highly competitive pension scheme.
• Flexi-time scheme upon completion of 6 months service or the Line Manager has the ability to adopt flexible working sooner than the 6 month period.
• With Line Manager agreement move to an alternative Working Patterns (there are 9).
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service. If by chance you have previously completed service in the Public Sector in the past 5 years, you may be eligible to request 30 days leave immediately. (Evidence will be required).
• In addition to annual leave you will be entitled to 8 Public Bank Holidays per year.
• Professional and Personal Development of skills with the opportunity to undergo an Apprenticeship in Human Resources.
• Opportunity to join more than one of our many networks (Race, LGBT+, Gender, Disability and Faith & Belief).
• Minimum of 18 Days Special Paid Leave in a rolling 12-month period for Public Duties commitments (such as a Magistrate).
• Special Paid Leave for community volunteering up to 12 days a year for Special Constables and 6 days a year for other volunteering.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
• Shrivenham has good travel links with free car parking.  Other facilities are a Sports & Social facilities, a Gym complex, a Stables, a Golf Course and a swimming pool, as well as onsite Mess & Retail shops.

Please note:

The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer)

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six month probation period.

Please note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.”

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The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment by 31st December 2022. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

Job contact :

• Name : Debbie Boon
• Email : Debbie.boon100@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk