RSPB pulls ad for £100,000 per annum Chief People Officer but is still taking applications

                                            

The bird charity has asked a recruitment agency to help fill new appointmenmts

THE RSPB has pulled its recruitment ads for a highly-paid new position but it is still taking applications.

The vacancy is for a work-from-home Chief People Officer on an annual salary of between £86,059 - £109,346.

But rather than sift through applications itself, the society has engaged the services of an agency, the London-based Diversifying Group.

This describes itself as a "black-owned,  female-led diversity and inclusion services business employing a talented intersectional team." 

It was previously known as BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Recruitment.

Despite  vigorous attempts to recruit more non-white staff, the RSPB  has only achieved 3.7 per cent - partly, perhaps, because those of black, Asian and ethnic minority groups resent the patronising attitude of the bird charity's predominantly white hierarchy.

However, the society aims to turn the corner with this new appointment.

The job description states: "The role requires someone who can lead in implementing equity, diversity and inclusion principles, serve as a positive role model for staff, manage workplace and societal changes and offer fresh ideas for the organisation's people strategy.

"The RSPB is looking for someone with substantive leadership skills, a solid background in HR, and a genuine interest in the charitable sector and environmental causes. 

"The ideal candidate will have an understanding of organisational change, be aware of emerging employment legislation and be comfortable navigating workplace challenges.

"The Chief People Officer will act as an innovative, solution-focused leader, capable of motivating the People Team to achieve the best possible outcomes for the organisation. 

"The appointee  will proactively engage with colleagues across all directorates of the organisation so that they work collaboratively to determine and address current and future people needs.

"The Chief People Officer will ensure that the organisation is working at its optimum structurally with the right people in the right place at the right time with the right skills through a process of workforce planning.

"Diversifying Group is acting an as employment agency advisor to the RSPB on this appointment."

RSPB chief executive Beccy Speight is known to be keen on bolstering the organisation's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.

She says: "We are implementing the interventions needed to widen opportunities for people of colour to access and have a meaningful say in the future of conservation."

The deadline for applications is Sunday May 25 at 23:59.  all comprehension, especially when it is cutting back on its reserves. The RSPB’ members, its volunteers and probably most of its frontline staff will be flummoxed (and possibly dismayed) by such an appointment  - understandably so.

The Wryneck says: Time was when the RSPB’s only focus was on protecting birds, but those days are long gone. Now the greater intent seems to be on creating a lumbering  bureaucracy of work-from-home executives, many of them doing  jobs which are unlikely to  protect a single bird. The society already has a highly paid chief operating officer and an even more highly paid chief executive, plus umpteen other lucratively-remunerated managers. Why the charity feels it necessary to splash out a further £100,000 per annum on a 'Chief People Officer' - plus fees to a recruitment agency - is beyond all comprehension, especially when it is cutting back on its reserves. The RSPB’ members, its volunteers and probably most of its frontline staff will be flummoxed (and possibly dismayed) by such an appointment  - understandably so.