Data and Research Officer - West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative

Introduction

Purpose:

The key purposes of this post are to:

Role contextual information

Our role holder will need to:

• Work collaboratively across the region promoting a positive approach to quality data collection and reporting and how this can be used to inform local/regional activities and initiatives.
• Be the go-to data person with key knowledge and experience of GDPR and ethical compliance around data collection and storage, research design, processing, sharing etc who can give advice and guidance, support, encourage and develop relationships across the region.
• Work with the RRJ Director and Project Manager and external partners to development a regional framework for measuring progress over a 10-year period, including establishing a baseline for the region and appropriate baselines for each diocese against which progress can be measured and future plans configured.

Specific responsibilities

Responsible for contributing to a positive culture where quality data and research is effectively gathered, reported, and use/shared

To do this by: 

• Working collaboratively with our participating dioceses to collect information/data and participant experiences
• Establish and consolidate mechanisms through which meaningful data can be collected at all levels within diocesan and church structures. 
• Collaborate effectively with diocesan teams and structures, and equivalent education structures as appropriate 
• Undertaking regular data collection, analysis and review.
• Offering training to dioceses to support them to embed continuing data collection into the ongoing rhythms of the church year. 

Responsible for working with the RRJ Director and Project Manager to ensure the project has effective data quality and analyses

To do this by:

• Identifying where data collection, processing, storage and reporting already exists
• Determining effective collection strategies
• Setting up appropriate platforms for the collection of data/reporting
• Ensuring accurate and quality data cleansing activities
• Ensuring quality data analyses 

Responsible for reporting in a timely way at national and regional levels

To do this by:

• Working with the Project Manager to provide regular reporting to the Regional Racial Justice Board and funders.
• Developing and maintaining relationships with the NRJU data collection team, and subject to legislative restrictions supply such data as is required by the funding agreement. 
• Developing reports and analysis for diocesan leadership to present findings from the data collection and inform diocesan planning. 

General responsibilities:

Safeguarding training

Data and GDPR training

Health and Safety 

General requirements:

Due to the nature of this post, the post-holder will need to bring experience of quality qualitative and quantitative data analytical and interpretive skills, knowledge and experience, able to understand the context of working within the underrepresented GMH / UKME communities within the six regional dioceses, at ease with sharing and explaining complex data to a variety of audiences.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who:

• Can manage multiple concurrent datasets, be able to assess priority and act accordingly 
• Has an excellent understanding and experience of data analysis processes & mixed methods research (identification, collection, cleansing, collation, analysis and interpretation) 
• Has experience of managing regulatory, legislative, and ethical requirements relevant to the role 
• Can work with colleagues, partners and stakeholders to collect required project data, innovating and contextualising as necessary. 
• Is supportive of the Church of England and can work within and navigate its frameworks. 
• Possesses good verbal and written skills and able to communicate effectively with a broad range of colleagues, partners and stakeholders. 
• Is excited to work within the vision for the Initiative 
• Can combine this passion and enthusiasm with an ability to build relationships with a diverse range of people
• Can persuade and influence colleagues to varying degrees, as and when appropriate. 
• Has good self-awareness and the ability to reflect. 
• Is friendly and warm in their persona with an ability to work well with a wide diversity of people. 
• Is an effective team worker, following the Director’s reasonable directions regarding duties that support other roles and the overall aims of the Initiative even though it may be in another colleague's specialism. 
• Has the ability to travel the length and breadth of the six dioceses of the Initiative. 
• Can work flexibly, a Team player, and able to attend occasional evening and weekend activities for which Time off in Lieu will be given.
• This position does not meet the skill level criteria for visa sponsorship. Applicants must therefore already hold valid right‑to‑work status in the UK

Additional information

• Pension provision – Church of England’s Church Worker Pension Scheme – 12% employer contribution 
• Annual leave 25 ordinary leave days, plus all bank/public holidays and 3 days between Christmas and the New Year (7.2 weeks). Pro rated for part time employees.
• The employing body is the Birmingham Diocesan Board of Finance

Closing date: 11^th March 2026 

(We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications)

Interview date: 18^th March 2026 

Interview location (In person to be held in Birmingham)

For more information, to arrange an informal conversation contact: Jennie Johnson, Director of WMRJI jennie.johnson@wmracialjustice.org.uk

West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative

The Church of England Birmingham, John Cadbury House

190 Corporation Street, B4 6QD

hello@wmracialjustice.org.uk   |   www.wmracialjustice.org.uk

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work. We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post, in particular from those who are currently under-represented in our staff teams such as those from Global Majority Heritage or UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQI+.

The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment.