Job Description

Project and Policy Lead - OD and EDI (Organisational Development & Equity, Diversity and Inclusion)



We are looking for a collaborative and compassionate Project and Policy Lead to join our Engagement & Organisational Development team. This new and interesting role has been created to blend project and change skills into the culture and inclusivity space. We're looking for someone with an organisational development mindset who is interested in addressing the wider the cultural and systemic issues that cause inequity and lack of diversity in organisations. If you have experience of implementing cultural improvement initiatives in a complex environment and are equipped with practical project and communication skills, please consider applying.



This role is pivotal in delivering The Christie's Inclusive Culture Strategy. You'll lead impactful projects, interpret national policy and equality frameworks, and work collaboratively with stakeholders across the Trust to develop new ways of working. If you're a strategic thinker with a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and want to make a real difference in a leading cancer centre, we'd love to hear from you.



You will lead and manage projects aligned to the Inclusive Culture Strategy, including staff diversity accreditations and NHS equality standards (WRES, WDES, EDS). You'll also work on emerging OD projects, using your project management skills for innovation work.



You'll ensure compliance with legal and contractual obligations within our Inclusive Culture Strategy. The role involves writing reports and tracking progress, developing toolkits, delivering training, and analysing workforce data to inform action. You'll work closely with internal and external stakeholders, using your communication and project management skills to influence and embed inclusive practices. This role gives you the opportunity to work across strategic and operational levels and flex across the organisational development and inclusion portfolios.

We're looking for someone who is keen to make a difference and enthuse people about new projects to improve our culture. If you have good attention to detail and are organized, enjoy using your initiative to spot opportunities and find solutions, and can build effective relationships, then this might be the role for you.



This is a hybrid role working from home and on our main site in Withington. The role is part-time and there is some flexibility in when these hours can be worked. We actively support colleagues with caring responsibilities and value diversity in our teams so are committed to accommodating people with a wide variety of backgrounds and requirements.



You'll be part of a supportive and forward-thinking Engagement & OD team, committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and continuous improvement. We value collaboration, compassion, and adaptability, and are proud of the positive impact our work has on staff experience and organisational culture.



You'll have access to professional development, flexible working, and the opportunity to shape initiatives that make a difference. At The Christie, we care deeply about our people and our environment, and we're looking for someone who shares our values and ambition. Our Trust values are 'Act with Kindness', 'Connect with People' and 'Make a Difference'.

More information on our Inclusive Culture Strategy can be found online.



The Christie is one of Europe's leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country. We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



1. Lead on projects and programmes of work that advance cultural practice and organisational development within the Trust. Ensure these align to the ambitions, themes, legal duties, contractual requirements and national standards set out in our Inclusive Culture Strategy.



2. Promote and support a culture where Trust policies, decision-making and day-to-day activities are inclusive, collaborative and considerate of diverse needs. Implement change in a planned and sensitive way.



3. Develop and maintain an effective approach for tracking multiple projects and progress against NHS EDI performance frameworks and plans. Produce clear project and communication plans, regular highlight reports and other project documentation. This includes production of reports for stakeholders and committees, and the presentation of these as required.



4. Lead projects to achieve staff diversity accreditations (or advance these to the next level), e.g. disability confident scheme, anti-racist framework, veteran aware accreditation. Drive forward action plans linked to pay gaps (gender, disability, ethnicity) and demonstrate progress.



5. Coordinate NHS data reports/returns, ensuring these are accurate and submitted on time, including the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES), Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES), and the Equality Delivery System (EDS 2022 scheme). Work in a planned and agile way with stakeholders to achieve this, including members of the Executive Team.



6. Coordinate and publish an annual report on equality and diversity achievements, and progress against the Inclusive Culture Strategy.



7. Develop and maintain effective and lasting stakeholder relationships internally, regionally and nationally to support project workstreams. Communicate clearly, persuasively, compellingly and compassionately to generate buy-in. Anticipate how information might be received and adopt tailored communication approaches for each stakeholder.



8. Make recommendations to stakeholders on how to create inclusive cultures and systems and support continuous improvements regarding equality and human rights.



9. Read, understand and cross-check complex national frameworks, legislation, policies and guidance. Provide accurate, easy-to-understand information on these to senior managers and project stakeholders.



10. Analyse and interpret complex information to support project delivery and compliance. Includes analysing workforce data by protected characteristics, socio-economic and health inequality categories to inform annual NHS submissions.



11. Where projects uncover additional issues or areas of improvement, gather and relay this information to stakeholders to inform organisational learning and action. Take independent action to drive and resolve issues where appropriate.



12. Develop policy, guidance, toolkits and resources related to the work of the Inclusive Culture Strategy, working in partnership with trade union colleagues.



13. Develop and deliver training to support the promotion of an inclusive culture, as required.



14. Liaise with the workforce information team and relevant systems/data owners across the Trust to support the production of reports and information, and inform systems improvement linked to policy application, and diversity, equity and inclusion principles.



15. Liaise with education colleagues to ensure joined up working on development workstreams elements linked to diversity improvement, initiatives and new educational programmes.



16. Work pragmatically and flexibly, using evidence to inform interventions. Use technologies alongside conversations to support efficient and transparent stakeholder collaboration and to assure quality.



17. Proactively navigate and overcome organisational barriers related to EDI. Drive sustainable changes that improves processes and ways of working across the Trust for everyone.



18. Advanced user of IT packages, office 365 and collaborative technologies to create reports, documents, spreadsheets and Gantt charts. Use Trust systems effectively and proactively. Drive own learning and access training, ensuring skills and knowledge remain current and are applied effectively, requiring minimal guidance or document editing input day-to-day.



19. Actively engage in personal and professional development to support effectiveness at work. Keep abreast of emerging EDI and culture thinking, and foster conversations about these to aid collective learning and develop Trust practice.



20. Act as a role model for The Christie Value and Behaviours Framework and collaborate with colleagues across the Trust to ensure an effective and positive working environment.



21. Any other duties as may be required from time to time and which are commensurate with the grade and scope of the post.