Commissioners Equality and Human Rights Commission

Strictlyboardroom; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A national equality body in the UK seeks dedicated Commissioners to lead and promote human rights and equality. Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong leadership, relationship building, and an understanding of equality issues. The role requires strategic oversight, compliance with governance standards, and effective communication. This is a vital position for those passionate about making a difference in equality and human rights.

Qualifications

• Strong track record in delivering quality human rights policy.
• Ability to build strong stakeholder relationships with government officials.
• Effective decision-making and critical analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Agree strategic direction and oversee the Commission's activities.
• Ensure compliance with statutory duties and governance standards.
• Promote and protect the Commission's values and reputation.

Skills

Organisational leadership

Stakeholder relationship building

Effective communication

Decision-making

Integrity and commitment to public service

Job description

Commissioners Equality and Human Rights Commission – Cabinet Office Open

*Closes 01st December*

Dear Candidate

The Minister for Women and Equalities is seeking to appoint dynamic and dedicated Commissioners who will continue to develop the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and support long-term change and improvements to equality and human rights issues. The postholders should be committed to ensuring that the Commission’s overall direction reflects its vital role as the UK’s leading equalities regulator and National Human Rights Institution. This appointment fulfils the requirement of the Equality Act 2006 that the Secretary of State should appoint Commissioners to the Commission.

As a commissioner you will help to develop and maintain high‑value relationships with Ministers, influential partners, governments at home and abroad, opinion formers, industry and others. You will demonstrate awareness, judgement and adaptability whilst maintaining integrity and resilience in the face of challenge and adversity.

The successful candidates will be exceptional organisational leaders and advocates for equality, and credible and effective public faces for the organisation with the ability to operate strategically. They will make an important contribution to the collective decision‑making of the EHRC Board.

Applications are welcomed from as diverse a range of applicants and mix of backgrounds as possible. This candidate pack will tell you more about the purpose of the Commission and the nature of a Commissioner’s role.

Director of the Office for Equality and Opportunity

The Minister for Women and Equalities wishes to appointat least four Commissionersto the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

These appointments fulfil the requirements of the Equality Act 2006, that there must be between 10 and 15 EHRC Commissioners.

Public Appointments to the EHRC are normally for 4 years dependent on the requirements of the Board.

The Commissioners have responsibility for:

• Agreeing the strategic direction and maintaining oversight of the Commission;
• Ensuring the Commission discharges its statutory duties under the Equality Acts and obligations under the Paris Principles within the policy and resources framework (i.e. the Framework Document) agreed with its Sponsor Department and in accordance with high standards of corporate governance and principles of public law;
• Ensuring the Commission effectively fulfils its statutory duties and operates within its statutory and delegated authority, including any conditions relating to the use of its grant‑in‑aid, specifically the use of public funds more generally in compliance with Treasury Guidance on ‘Managing Public Money’;
• Ensuring that effective arrangements are in place to provide assurance on risk management, good governance and internal control;
• Determining the Commission’s performance metrics and monitoring performance against them; and ensuring it demonstrates resources are being used to good effect, with propriety, and without grounds for criticism that public funds are being used for private, partisan or party political purposes;
• Holding the Chief Executive to account for the performance and delivery against strategic and business plan priorities; objectives and budgets including follow‑up actions on its decisions;
• Formulating a strategy for ensuring the Commission is open and transparent in all that it does, providing Parliament and the public with as full information as may be requested concerning its policy decisions and actions. This includes full compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Data Protection Act 1998, as amended and its adopted complaints procedures;
• Making publicly available annual reports, and, where practical and appropriate, hold open Board meetings, release summary reports of meetings and invite evidence from members of the public on matters of public concern;
• Promoting and protecting the Commission’s position, values, mission, vision, integrity, image and reputation, and
• Ensuring high standards of corporate governance that command the confidence of the Commission’s stakeholders are observed at all times.

The EHRC is Great Britain’s national equality body and has been awarded an ‘A’ status as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) by the United Nations. Its role is to help make Britain fairer and it achieves this by safeguarding and enforcing the laws that protect people’s rights to fairness, dignity and respect.

As a statutory non‑departmental public body established by the Equality Act 2006, the EHRC operates independently. It has a unique role in enforcing anti‑discrimination law and helping individuals who are bringing claims of discrimination, harassment or victimisation under the Act. It aims to be a centre of excellence for evidence, analysis and equality and human rights law and an essential point of contact for policy makers, public bodies and business.

The EHRC uses its unique powers to challenge discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and protect human rights.

The Board of Commissioners is the highest level decision‑making body in the organisation, responsible for the strategic oversight of the Commission.

The current Board Members are listed below and biographical information for each Board Member can be found on the EHRC’s website.

Chair: Baroness Kishwer Falkner (term ends 30 November 2025)

Lesley Sawers, Deputy Chair and Scotland Commissioner (term ends 30 November 2025)

Keith Richards, Commissioner

Alasdair Henderson, Commissioner

Dr Mary‑Ann Stephenson will begin her term as the incoming Chair of the Commission on 1 December 2025.

The Board has a strategic oversight role. It does not directly manage the Commission’s operations, but delegates that role to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Commission’s staff. It holds the CEO and the staff to account by monitoring performance against the Commission’s strategic priorities and ensuring that resources are being used to good effect.

Further information on the EHRC and its activities, including its most recent annual report, can be found on the EHRC’s website.

Location

The Commission has offices in Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and London. Board meeting locations may vary, and so some travel may be required. The Commission supports flexible working practices. As a national organisation, video conferencing is available for day‑to‑day communication. It will be at the Board’s discretion to decide member working patterns

Person specification

All candidates must demonstrate, in their CV and supporting letter, how they meet the following criteria, through their knowledge, attributes and skills.

Knowledge: a clear understanding of the work, priorities and challenges of the Commission and the context within which it operates.

Experience: a strong track record of committed delivery one quality and human rights policy issues within the private, public or voluntary sectors.

Relationship building: ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, including with Ministers and Senior Government officials and external stakeholders.

Communication: strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to listen, accept challenge and constructively challenge others in discussions with clarity and respect.

Judgement: effective decision‑making skills with the ability to critically analyse a wide range of information to make clear and objective evidence‑based recommendations to support the delivery of the Commission’s objectives.

Collaboration: ability to work closely with the executive board and other key stakeholders, providing support, constructive challenge and assurance as appropriate.

An understanding of the context in which the Commission operates and knowledge of conditions across Great Britain;

High standards of integrity and commitment to public service values.

• Experience and skill sets focused on race and disability as protected characteristics.

Once you are logged into your account, click on ‘apply for this role’ and follow the on‑screen instructions To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues
• a supporting statement
• a short professional biography (150 words)

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.