Equality and Human Rights Assistant - Belfast

We are currently recruiting for an Equality and Human rights assistant.

Start date: ASAP

Location: Castle Buildings

Duration: Until 31/12/25

Hours of work: 9 to 5; Monday to Friday

Rate of pay: £17.94 per hour

Main Duties:

To effectively support policy colleagues in complying with the requirements of Section 75 equality legislation and the Department’s Equality Scheme;

To advise and support policy leads with developing S75 equality screenings and implementing the S75 process;

To advise and support policy colleagues in complying with the requirements to carry out Rural Needs Impact Assessments;

To assist with, and on occasions lead on, the coordination of the Department’s input to a wide range of strategies/policies associated with the high-level Northern Ireland, UK and international government equality and diversity agenda. This includes coordinating departmental input to various strategies e.g. Race Equality Strategy, Gender Equality, Violence against women and girls Strategy and United Nations, Council of Europe and other international conventions;

To assist, as required, with providing advice to Minister/senior colleagues on relevant matters surrounding equality and diversity. This may be in the form of briefing, inputs to AQs or other correspondence;

To assist with the development and drafting of the Department’s Audit of Inequalities; Equality Action Plan; Disability Action Plan; Quarterly screening and planned consultations report; and Annual Progress Report to the Equality Commission;

To update annually the Department’s Equality and Disability Action Plans;

To provide an effective secretariat for the Regional HSC Equality and Human Rights Steering Group. Oversee the organisation of the quarterly meetings including issue of meeting papers; drafting of Agenda; drafting the Minutes meetings and addressing any ad-hoc queries from members as required;

To draft new and update existing guidance for policy colleagues on compliance with equality related obligations;

To proactively promote awareness amongst policy colleagues of the importance of compliance with statutory obligations in relation to equality and human rights, rural needs and Article 2 of the Windsor Framework.

To represent the Department/support line manager at meetings/events and cross Departmental Working Groups;

To provide support and briefing for officials representing the Department on equality, human rights and diversity related “Champion” and cross Departmental Working groups.

To develop and maintain an effective working relationship with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and the NI Human Rights Commission.

1. At least 2 years’ experience of drafting and presenting reports to Boards/Committees/senior management*, using information and data from a range of sources, to support the delivery of business objectives.

AND

2. At least 2 years’ experience of managing competing priorities to achieve successful outcomes.

AND

3. At least 2 years’ experience of developing and maintaining effective working relationships with key stakeholders to meet business objectives.

AND

4. At least 2 years’ experience of managing and developing staff to support the delivery of business objectives.

At least 1 years’ experience of working in a politically complex environment

(** Politically Complex Environment is defined as the ability to work with multiple categories of stakeholders including MLAs, MPs, TDs, Councillors etc.).

2. At least 1 years’ experience of working in the health and or equality/human rights sector