Dorset Council
EDI Project Officer
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Help shape a more inclusive Dorset!
Are you passionate about bringing people together, championing equality, and making sure every voice is heard? We're looking for an enthusiastic and organised EDI Project Officer to help drive Dorset Council's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) ambitions and build meaningful connections with communities across Dorset.
In this rewarding role, you'll work alongside the EDI Officer to support the development of the EDI Engagement Panel - a diverse network of community organisations that provide valuable insight, challenge and feedback to help shape council services and policies.
What You'll Be Doing
- Supporting the delivery of Dorset Council's equality, diversity and inclusion priorities.
- Building strong relationships with community groups, voluntary sector organisations and council colleagues.
- Coordinating and supporting a network of up to 14 organisations representing a wide range of communities and protected characteristics.
- Empowering panel members through training, coaching and development opportunities so they can become confident and active partners.
- Organising engaging meetings and events, including venues, accessibility arrangements, agendas, minutes and follow-up actions.
- Facilitating meaningful conversations, consultation activities and collaboration between communities, helping to strengthen understanding and promote intersectionality.
- Acting as a key link between Dorset Council and community representatives, ensuring information flows both ways and community voices influence decision-making.
Why this role matters
The EDI Engagement Panel plays a vital role in helping Dorset Council:
- Better understand the experiences and needs of diverse communities.
- Reach underserved and underrepresented groups.
- Improve services through meaningful consultation and feedback.
- Build stronger relationships between communities and the Council.
- Champion positive, lasting change across Dorset.
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We're Looking For Someone Who
- Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Enjoys bringing people together and creating opportunities for collaboration.
- Is passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Can confidently coordinate projects, meetings and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Thrives in a role where organisation, initiative and people skills go hand-in-hand.
Join us and make a difference
This is a fantastic opportunity to support communities, influence positive change, and help create a Dorset where everyone feels represented, valued and included. If you're motivated by partnership working, community engagement and making a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Further Information
The role is based in Dorchester with a hybrid approach to suit your way of working and the service. This includes the opportunity to work from home, as well as spend time together as a team. This is a fixed term contract until 31st March 2028.
Applications Are Welcomed As Either
- a fixed-term appointment, or
- a secondment opportunity for existing employees.
Candidates seeking appointment on a secondment basis should note that release from their substantive post is subject to management approval and operational requirements.
If you would like an informal chat about the role to understand more, please get in touch with James Palfreman-Kay [email protected] or Laura Cornette [email protected]
This post requires you to have access to sensitive information. It will be subject to a Basic Criminal Records Check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders.
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About Us
At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:
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At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.
We
- provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
- work in partnership to make a real difference
- value every role and the impact it has on our communities
- support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive
You Will
- be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
- have access to a range of benefits and support
- receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.
This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.
If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.
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