Job Description

Please note this opportunity is currently only available to those working within the Civil Service. Applications from non-Civil Servants may not be reviewed and may be rejected.

We are currently looking for a Head of Diversity & Staff Engagement to join our People Function within the Corporate group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a temporary promotion/level transfer basis, for approximately 6 months. The role can be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU or South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

Who are we?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The People function is led by the Chief People Officer, who is a member of the Unitary Board. The People team is part of the Corporate Group, along with Finance, Commercial and Infrastructure and Laboratory Services functions which are led by the Chief Finance Officer.

In 2022 we launched our People Strategy which focusses on: attracting and retaining the best people, developing exceptional people and leaders, valuing diversity and promoting wellbeing and health, investing in a healthy culture, and enabling great performance and delivery in an organisation where our people flourish. The People Strategy is about enabling effective partnership between the Agency and its people in helping to deliver the public health outcomes.

What’s the role?

This role acts as the subject matter expert for the Agency in respect of our public sector equality duty and the full range of our diversity, inclusion and wellbeing agenda to support our most important asset – our people.

Heading a small team, the Head of Diversity and People Engagement works across the People function and the wider Agency to lead on developing, delivering and promoting related Agency strategies, including leading as People Survey Manager, delivering the annual people survey and ensuring rich and valuable feedback is acted upon by our most senior leaders. The postholder is the lead for advising the Executive Committee and Board on diversity and inclusion, and takes the lead role in all overlapping initiatives, with responsibility for promoting strong, effective networks both within and external to the Agency, where inclusion, wellbeing and celebrating diversity is at the core of everything we do.

Key Responsibilities

To lead as the Agency subject matter expert (SME) on diversity, inclusion, wellbeing and people survey staff engagement, writing and presenting papers to the Executive Committee, the Unitary Board and management committees as required
To develop and deliver diversity/inclusion/wellbeing and staff engagement strategies in the Agency which reflect the wider Civil Service strategies, tailored to Agency priorities
To advise senior leaders he Agency wide responsibility for delivering our public sector equality duty (PSED), working with senior leaders to deliver reporting and compliance
To lead on the creation and delivery of specific measurable action plans, informed by evidence (both anecdotal and data), in collaboration with networks, champions, and stakeholders across the Agency
To lead for the People Function on engaging with staff in all related areas in a wide variety of fora – networks, workshops, all staff meetings etc, presenting to staff either in person or virtually as needed
Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of diversity and inclusion and wellbeing legislation and best practice and actively translate this into practice to ensure the Agency meets its statutory requirements.
Lead on diversity/wellbeing reporting required by other bodies such as Department of Health and Social Care and Cabinet Office, as well as related Ministerial/parliamentary questions, freedom of information requests and responses to employment tribunal equality case questionnaires etc

Who are we looking for?

Our Successful Candidate Will Have

Subject matter expertise in diversity and inclusion legislation, including the Public Sector Equality Duty
High level data analysis skills to decipher raw data and present analysis, trends etc
Experience of engaging with senior stakeholders, writing and presenting and succinct and professional reports etc to senior Committees/Boards
Presentation skills and experience of preparing and delivering papers/talks/workshops/conferences to a range/size of audiences
Demonstrated behaviours in Working Together and Changing and Improving to create an inclusive working environment where all opinions and challenges are taken into account

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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The Selection Process

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here .

Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage.
Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of ‘Experience of developing and importantly delivering diversity, inclusion, well being and staff engagement interventions/action plans’.

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Closing date: 18 April 2025

Shortlisting date: 22-23 April 2025

Interview date: 29 April 2025

Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here .

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks .

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA 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 here .

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk .

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Florentina Oyelami, Head of Talent Acquisition – Florentina.Oyelami@mhra.gov.uk .

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

info@csc.gov.uk

Civil Service Commission

Room G/8

1 Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ

About Us

ABOUT US

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The agency is made up of c.1300 staff working across two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

The agency consists of Corporate, Digital & Technology, Enablement, Healthcare Quality & Access, Partnerships, Safety & Surveillance and Scientific Research & Innovation.

About The Team

HR

The HR/People function is led by the Chief People Officer, who is a member of the Unitary Board. HR is part of the Corporate Group, along with Finance, Commercial and Infrastructure and Laboratory Services functions which are led by the Chief Finance Officer. 

In 2023 we refreshed our People Strategy which focusses on: attracting and retaining the best people, developing exceptional people and leaders, valuing diversity and promoting wellbeing and health, investing in a healthy culture, and enabling great performance and delivery.  The People Strategy is about enabling effective partnership between the Agency and its people in helping to deliver public health outcomes.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

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Head of Diversity & People Engagement