Diversity & Inclusion Officer
Great work! Whether it’s students or staff, Avans is full of unique personalities. We want to embrace those differences within our organization so that we can become a university of applied sciences where everyone feels at home. The first steps have been taken; now it’s time to build on this. We want colleagues and students to become even more aware of this and to work together to determine how we want to shape this going forward. That is exactly the task you’ll be taking on.
You’ll speak with everyone in our organization and, drawing on your knowledge and experience, form a clear picture of the specific challenges facing Avans. You’ll then get to work on this. You’ll seek answers to questions such as: What do diversity, inclusion, and equality mean within Avans? What are the current issues and concerns? What initiatives are already in place, which ones can we strengthen, and what do we still need to develop? You’ll translate those answers into policies and plans for our entire organization and into insights regarding any potential problems, bottlenecks, or challenges. This will provide a vision for the future where you’ll contribute your knowledge and experience. You’ll then turn this into concrete initiatives. From getting the organization moving to collaborating, to developing ideas, supporting, and researching: this new role is certainly exciting and varied!
What will you be doing?
As Diversity & Inclusion Officer, you have an impact on everyone throughout our organization. To achieve this, you’ll collaborate with colleagues from various departments—each with their own ideas and approaches—and engage in dialogue with everyone. From students, faculty, researchers, and academic support staff, to experts, directors, and members of the Executive Board. To raise awareness among your colleagues and drive change within our organization, you won’t be on your own. You’ll work with the core team and a design team, which you’ll coordinate functionally. In addition, you’ll work closely with our strategic staff. You’ll regularly consult with the board to discuss the strategy and progress of this priority area and make adjustments where necessary. Your role is within Human Resources and Organization.What's available so far?
As a socially responsible organization, we believe it is important to reflect society, and we embrace diversity as an asset. We know that a diverse workforce contributes to high-quality education and research. We ensure that everyone feels welcome and safe and has equal opportunities. And as our ambition drives us forward, we also pay special attention to those who need a little extra support to continue contributing.We take a broad view of diversity. It encompasses all the characteristics that distinguish people from one another, both visible and invisible. To us, inclusivity means that everyone feels welcome and safe. Above all, it means that everyone can be themselves in the work and learning environment. The Diversity & Inclusion initiative at Avans University of Applied Sciences aims to create an inclusive university where diversity is embraced as an asset and as a moral imperative.
We have now developed a training program, drawn up a Gender Equality Plan, and signed the D&I charter (SER Diversity in Business). Students have launched a “movement” to raise awareness of diversity. So we already have a solid foundation, but now we want to build on that to create an inclusive environment.
For more information on diversity in higher professional education, see the white paper prepared by the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences: VHS White Paper.
What kind of candidate are we looking for?
To lead this change within a complex organization, you know how to inspire and persuade your colleagues. Your ideas are hard to resist. You do this without passing judgment. Because you’re a good listener and can put yourself in others’ shoes, you can talk to anyone, win people over, and motivate them to take action.Personal characteristics:
- Positive and open attitude, reliable and approachable
- Has good intuition (sensitive) and isn't afraid to speak their mind (constructively critical)
- Curious and aware of your surroundings—this allows you to stay on top of current events
- Different ways to motivate others to take action
- Flexibility and perseverance, even when things don't go right at first
- A high degree of reliability
- Pragmatic: not just talking about it, but actually getting things done
- The ambition to continue growing your expertise and to share that growth with us
- Preferably: “firsthand experience”; you have experience with “being different”
Experience and education:
- Knowledge and experience in developing diversity and inclusion policies, preferably gained within a larger organization undergoing change
- Experience serving as an ambassador and point of contact within an organization
- Understanding of vulnerable or marginalized minority groups and the systems that contribute to their marginalization
- Analytical skills; you can distinguish between the main points and the details and get to the heart of the matter
- Experience in organizing (inspiring) meetings with internal and external partners and serving as a moderator or facilitator in those meetings
- Strong skills in maintaining networks and connecting information and knowledge
- Excellent communication skills in Dutch and English
- Preferably experience with cultural change and program management in learning organizations
- Academic level of work and thinking; a master’s degree is preferred.
What do we offer?
An environment where you have the freedom to explore and improve; that’s how we bring out the best in you. We support your ongoing development, which in turn allows you to contribute to our continued professional and technical growth. We also offer you:- A position of 0.7–1.0 FTE
- A monthly salary ranging from a minimum of €4,715.81 to a maximum of €6,064.86 gross for a full-time position at pay scale 12 of the HBO collective bargaining agreement. With the possibility of salary progression up to the maximum of pay scale 13 of the HBO collective bargaining agreement, €6,579.22 gross, in the form of an allowance, depending on knowledge and experience.
- A year-end bonus, which is roughly equivalent to a 13th month's salary
- A one-year contract with the possibility of a permanent position
- A lot of flexibility in your job, with the option to work from home
- About 50 days off with full-time employment
Innovative Avans
Large, yet intimate. Engaged. Personal. That’s Avans. Here, you can be yourself. We give you plenty of room to share your unique ideas and insights. That fits with our learning-oriented and entrepreneurial spirit. We offer highly flexible education and research in collaboration with the professional field. And we’re constantly evolving alongside the world around us. We aim to offer increasingly customized programs, where students partially determine their own learning path. That’s our Ambition for 2025. Discover Avans as an employer via these stories.Avans University of Applied Sciences was established in 2004 through a merger between Brabant University of Applied Sciences and ’s-Hertogenbosch University of Applied Sciences. Avans provides education to over 35,000 students in four cities, across thirteen locations: Breda, ’s-Hertogenbosch, Tilburg, and Roosendaal. Avans has six centers of expertise and over 31 research chairs. Avans is one of the larger universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands.
The academic programs are organized across various schools, while administrative and support units provide support to both the schools and the Executive Board. The more than 3,000 employees work within a flat organizational structure, where small-scale organization plays a key role in Avans’ strong performance. For more information about Avans: Avans Organization.
