NUIG recruiting official to oversee equality matters
NUI Galway has begun recruiting a Vice President for Equality and Diversity.
The university has advertised the new position, which commands a salary of between €106,000 and €136,000 per annum.
NUIG said it has created the new role “in recognition of the fact that women have not enjoyed equal participation across the sector generally and in NUIG specifically”.
The establishment of the vice president position was recommended by the Gender Equality taskforce that was set up in the college following damning accusations and revelations about NUIG’s record in relation to women employees.
The new role is among four recommendations contained in the progress report of the taskforce which was published in the Summer.
The new position of Vice President of Equality and Diversity should focus initially on “the elimination of gender inequality” at NUIG, according to the taskforce interim report. The taskforce does not command the support of trade unions.
Earlier this year, the university was one of four Irish higher education intuitions that were unsuccessful in attaining the British Athena SWAN bronze awards, which recognise gender equality.
The Vice President, according to the job description, will be tasked with obtaining this gender equality accolade by 2020.
He or she will also be responsible for developing and implementing a strategy on equality and diversity.
The successful candidate will have to “develop targets and timetables in relation to the delivery of equality of opportunity”.
The candidate will also be charged with developing “best practice policies and procedures to support equality and diversity”.
The job description says NUIG aspires to be an “exemplar of best practice” in the area of gender equality.
The closing date for applications is October 29.
Requirements for the post include “experience of strategic planning, policy formulation, leadership development and advancement of gender equality based on international best practice”.
The ideal candidate, “will be passionate about equality”.
The Vice President will be answerable to Jim Browne, NUIG President.