Principal Policy Officer - Equalities

Job Title: Principal Policy Officer - Equalities

Location: London

Sector: Public Sector / Policy & Research

Ref: 8297

Rate: £31.62 PAYE per hour (flexible holiday pay options)

Contract: 5 months

Hybrid Working: 2-3 days per week in the office, London

The Role

Our public sector client is seeking an experienced and strategic Principal Policy Officer - Equalities to lead a high-profile programme of work focused on tackling structural inequalities and improving outcomes for diverse communities across London.

This is a senior policy leadership opportunity for an exceptional equalities specialist with extensive experience of developing and delivering equality policy in a public sector environment. The successful candidate will lead a small team, provide expert advice on equality legislation and the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), and ensure equality considerations are embedded within policy development, programme delivery and organisational decision-making.

Importantly, this role requires experience of developing and implementing equality policy that delivers tangible benefits for citizens and communities, rather than solely focusing on internal workforce equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic equality policy programmes aimed at reducing structural inequalities and improving outcomes for communities.
• Provide expert advice on equality legislation, including the Equality Act 2010 and Public Sector Equality Duty, ensuring compliance across complex policy and programme areas.
• Lead and oversee Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs), embedding equality considerations into policy development, decision-making and service delivery.
• Manage, develop and support a small team, ensuring effective performance, delivery and professional development.
• Develop evidence-based policy recommendations through research, analysis, consultation and stakeholder engagement.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with government bodies, local authorities, voluntary and community sector organisations, equality groups and other strategic partners.
• Prepare high-quality briefings, reports and recommendations for senior leaders and decision-makers on complex equality and social policy matters.
• Monitor emerging legislation, policy developments and best practice to inform future strategic priorities and programmes.

You Will Need (Essential Requirements)

• Significant experience leading equality policy development and delivery within a local authority, government department, public body or similar organisation.
• Expert knowledge of the Equality Act 2010, Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and associated equality legislation, with experience of applying this within policy and programme delivery.
• Demonstrable experience leading Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) and embedding equality considerations into strategic decision-making.
• Proven experience managing and developing teams, with the ability to lead staff, resources and programme delivery effectively.
• Strong track record of influencing senior stakeholders and delivering policy outcomes that have positively impacted citizens, communities or protected characteristic groups.
• Experience leading high-profile or politically sensitive policy programmes within a complex public sector environment.
• Knowledge of social policy issues affecting London's diverse communities.
• Experience working across multiple stakeholder groups, including community organisations, regulators and government partners.
• Experience managing complex programmes with responsibility for budgets, performance and outcomes.
• Understanding of policy development within a mayoral, regional or strategic government setting.

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