Disability and Wellbeing Equality Champion Vacancy

Opportunity to become the University’s Disability and Wellbeing Equality Champion

The University is seeking to appoint a Disability and Wellbeing Equality Champion. This offers a valuable opportunity to play a key role in advocating for disability inclusion and staff wellbeing at senior levels of the institution, providing visible leadership, and promoting equality, inclusion, and belonging throughout the University. Applications are welcome from all staff groups who work for the central University.

Please note that applicants must be employees of the Central University. 

This is a particularly important time to contribute to this area of work, as the University continues to strengthen its commitment to creating an accessible, inclusive, and supportive environment for disabled staff, as well as to embedding wellbeing into everyday University culture. Priorities include improving reasonable adjustment processes, promoting inclusive practices across working environments, reducing barriers faced by disabled colleagues, and ensuring wellbeing considerations are embedded in policy, practice, and decision-making.

The Disability and Wellbeing Champion will play a key role in advancing these priorities, working collaboratively with colleagues across the institution to ensure that disability inclusion and wellbeing are central to the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) agenda.

The successful candidate will work closely with the University’s other ED&I Champions, including those for Gender, LGBTQ+, and Race Equality, as well as with relevant Staff Networks and members of the central ED&I team. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for a senior staff member with the passion, credibility, and influence to champion disability inclusion and wellbeing, ensuring these perspectives are fully represented in critical decision-making processes.

Some of the work you will be involved in includes but is not limited to:

  • Co-chairing the Disability Staff Network
  • EDI Committee membership
  • Attending meetings of the Employee Accessibility and Disability Working Group
  • Disability related training
  • Equality Impact Assessments
  • ED&I Framework development  

Role Expectations:

The Disability and Wellbeing Equality Champion will operate in line with the University’s legislative requirements, ensuring compliance with the Equality Act 2010 and subsequent amendments, and will support the work of the ED&I team. The role reflects the University’s duty to uphold freedom of expression within the law. As such, the Champion is expected to approach the role in a neutral and professional capacity, supporting the University’s in meeting its legal obligations and ensuring that its relevant policies and practices are implemented fairly and consistently. 

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Representation
– Serve on ED&I-related committees and working groups, representing disability and wellbeing perspectives at senior levels.

Collaboration and Engagement
– Work alongside other ED&I Champions, relevant Staff Networks, and the ED&I team to drive inclusive and intersectional approaches to disability and wellbeing.

Advocacy and Reporting
– Advise on policies, procedures, and practices, providing guidance and appropriate signposting on disability- and wellbeing-related enquiries. This includes advising as part of an Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
– Contribute to reviewing committee papers and support the progression of inclusive decision-making.

Promotion of Best Practices
– Support the promotion of ED&I best practices related to disability inclusion and wellbeing.
– Attend, support, and contribute to ED&I-related events and initiatives.

Liaison with Schools and NSIs
– Work closely with Schools and Non-School Institutions (NSIs) to ensure a consistent and effective approach to disability inclusion and wellbeing across the University.

This is a part-time role for a one-year term, after which it may be renewed. It is formally recognised with a time commitment buy-out of 4 hours per week during term time, equating to 96 hours per year.

Application Process: 

To apply, please submit your CV along with a statement (no more than 500 words) outlining why you are interested in this role and how you believe you can use your influence to contribute to this work. Send your application to Susanna Annesleyat susanna.annesley@admin.cam.ac.uk by 5pm on Friday 4th September.

If you have any questions about the role please feel free to email Susanna beforehand. 

Interviews are expected to take place on Monday 28th September, with successful applicants being invited to interview by 5pm on Monday 21st September. The role will start shortly thereafter.

We look forward to receiving your application!