CONTRACT: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Lead

ASONE Hub is seeking a dynamic and passionate “Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion” (EDI) Leader to guide and develop the "Idea” Projects programme. This initiative is centred around fostering equitable access to youth music education by addressing intersectional prejudice, diversity, and inclusivity.

The EDI Leader will work to understand and remove barriers related to race, gender, socio-economic background, neurodiversity, and other characteristics, ensuring that all young people can fully engage with music education. 

The Contract:

The concept of intersectionality is crucial in this role. Intersectionality examines how specific cultural activities can either enfranchise or prejudice different demographics based on their lived experiences and the cultural capital they may have acquired. This cultural capital—such as access to educational resources, social networks, or other advantages, affects how young people interact with music education.

The EDI Leader will ensure that these nuanced dynamics are acknowledged and addressed across all areas of ASONE Hub’s delivery. 

The role will influence all areas of the ASONE Hub, including ensemble participation, technology, continuous professional development (CPD), curriculum design, quality assurance, work experience opportunities, and wider cultural strategies. The EDI Leader will collaborate with global best-practice organisations and adapt strategies to support the specific needs of various demographics. 

Advocacy and Cultural Leadership: 

• Act as a cultural leader within the organisation, advocating for systemic change to reduce biases and increase inclusivity. 
• Promote the values of diversity and equality both internally within the organisation and externally in engagement with the wider community. 
• Lead discussions on how intersectionality influences participation in music education and develop solutions that address these dynamics. 
• Engagement and Support for Specific Groups: 
• Identify and address the unique challenges faced by specific demographics within the youth music community, especially those marginalised due to socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity, or neurodiversity and help to amplify these voices; Creating targeted interventions to support these groups. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): 

Programme Development: 

• Successful design and launch of the "IDEA" strategy as a cohesive programme, with clear objectives for improving inclusion, equity, and recognition of intersectionality. 
• It expected that the contract creates a rolling and prograssive programme with a roadmap for delivery and/or continues the development/delivery into 2025/26

Stakeholder Engagement: 

• Collate feedback from staff, partners, and young people regarding EDI-related initiatives. 
• Increased participation from underrepresented or marginalised groups in music education programmes. 

Monitoring and Reporting: 

• Termly reports demonstrating the impact of the EDI strategy, with data on access, participation, and outcomes across different demographic groups. 
• Evidence of increased inclusivity and engagement in all areas of ASONE Hub’s operations, with a specific focus on addressing bias. 

Cultural Change: 

• Documented cultural shifts within participants, evidenced by improved attitudes towards equality, diversity, and inclusion. 
• Contribute to ASONE Hub becoming a leader in EDI practices within the music education sector, recognised for addressing cultural capital and lived experiences. 

Wider Strategy Influence: 

• Contribution to the development of local and national cultural strategies aimed at improving accessibility and equity in youth music education. 

Qualifications and Experience: 

• Demonstrable experience in leading or managing equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, preferably in education or the arts. 
• Strong knowledge of intersectionality, cultural capital, neurodiversity, and inclusive educational practices. 
• Proven ability to influence and lead cultural change within an organisation. 
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with a collaborative mindset. 
• Passion for music education and a commitment to making it accessible to all young people. 

Application Process: To apply for the EDI Lead role at ASONE Hub, please complete our EDI Lead expression of interest form by midday 12pm 9th of October 2024.

Value - £18,000 (three payments)

Hours - CONTRACT

Type of Contract - ASONE Hub Fixed term up to and incuding September 2025