MEMBERS

Call for expressions of interests and nominations for the BAFA Independent Chairperson for the BAFA EDI Monitoring Group

The British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) considers its legal and moral responsibilities to promote and operate equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) with the utmost importance. BAFA adopted a policy on EDI in October, 2018 which includes a key role for the EDI Monitoring group.

The BAFA EDI Monitoring Group has now been set up and operating with clear terms of reference and mode of operation since September 2021 with its diverse membership drawn from BAFA members. BAFA is now looking to appoint an independent chairperson to lead the group’s activities.

Job specification and person description is below. Please send in your expression of interest or nominate any member for this role to: admin@bafa.ac.uk

Deadline for expressions of interest: 31 December 2022

1) Introduction

The British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) considers its legal and moral responsibilities to promote and operate equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) with the utmost importance. BAFA adopted a policy on EDI in October, 2018 which includes a key role for the EDI Monitoring group. The BAFA EDI Monitoring Group has now been set up and operating with clear terms of reference and mode of operation since September 2021 with its diverse membership drawn from BAFA members. BAFA is now looking to appoint an independent chairperson to lead the group’s activities.

2) Job description

Job Purpose:

The main purpose of the role is to provide independent, proactive and strategic leadership and management for the BAFA EDI Monitoring Group, by especially providing direction, and leading the design and development of its programmes and activities in order to fulfil the Group’s mandate as set out in its terms of reference.

The Independent Chair of the BAFA EDI Monitoring group will be responsible for leading the Group in carrying out the following functions:

a. To provide independent, proactive and strategic leadership, management and oversight of the group, including seeing to the successful implementation of its remit, programmes and activities. 

b. To lead the EDI Group in proactively identifying existing EDI areas within BAFA that require improvement, recommending possible solutions to BAFA executives and Trustees for action, as well as identifying new and emerging or future EDI issues that may be worthy of BAFA consideration or appropriate action.

c. To help monitor appointments across BAFA groups, to ensure compliance with the existing EDI policy; 

d. To ensure, at all times, that both the monitoring processes and the EDI policy are up- to-date based on the latest government legislation and related guidance; 

e. To proactively represent and support the BAFA membership – this could include arranging relevant workshops, developing whistle-blowing policies and practices, preparing and disseminating information through briefings and the BAFA monthly newsletter.

f. To present the BAFA state of EDI report to the membership on an annual basis at the AGM. The independent chairperson will also present the BAFA state of EDI report to both the Executive and Trustees on regular basis. 

g. To attend both BAFA executive committees’ and BAFA trustees’ meetings, in an ex- officio capacity to primarily act as a liaison officer for the group in presenting the groups’ activities to executives, and conveying feedback from trustees’ and executives’ feedback to the group for appropriate action.

h. To organise and chair the group’s meetings, ensuring efficient record keeping of the group’s programmes and activities.

3) Person specification 

Essential 

a. Passion to support BAFA EDI activities and implementation of continuous improvement mandate, strategies and plans. 

b. Good management and teamwork work skills and experience 

c. Good planning and organising skills and experience.

d. Good problem solving and initiative skills and experience.

e. Good communicating and influencing skills, including presenting and writing skills and experience. 

f. A current BAFA member or willing to become a BAFA Member. 

Desirable 

g. Previous experience in EDI role or leading EDI in an organisational setting. 

h. Research and education experience/background in EDI. 

i. Previous experience of chairing meetings and leading groups.

Appointments are made under our Diversity and Inclusion Policy and are overseen by our Diversity and Inclusion Monitoring Committee.