Race Equality Network Co-Chair

About us

The Race Equality Network is a network and community for staff and volunteers across the RNLI. It is a space to connect, share experiences and learn from one another, creating meaningful relationships across the organisation.

The network aims to support colleagues, raise awareness of race equality, and influence and challenge decision-making, processes and policies within the RNLI. The network brings people together to ensure lived experiences help shape conversations and organisational change. 

The impact you will make

This role supports and leads the Race Equality Network to achieve its purpose by facilitating meetings, delivering on network objectives and acting as a representative between members and senior leadership.

As Co-Chair, you will help create space for meaningful conversations, support others to feel heard and valued, and help the RNLI better understand and act on race equality. You will work with senior leaders to ensure the network has a voice where it matters, helping to influence decisions and drive change. 

What will you be doing?

This role is responsible for leading network activity, including:

• Facilitating network meetings and discussions
• Supporting delivery of network objectives and priorities
• Creating opportunities for learning and awareness across the RNLI
• Supporting the membership by sharing information, answering questions and signposting support
• Liaising with the Executive Sponsor, sharing updates and member feedback
• Engaging with senior stakeholders and representing the Race Equality Network
• Taking part in wider EDI meetings and cross-network collaboration
• Supporting communication and engagement across the network
• Contributing to the ongoing development and sustainability of the network 

What you need for this role

• Are you passionate about inclusion at the RNLI and want to support a more inclusive organisation for all staff and volunteers?
• Are you a current volunteer or member of staff at the RNLI?
• Are you able to balance your workload and RNLI priorities with network requirements, with support from your manager?
• Do you have the energy and motivation to help bring the network to life and engage others?
• Are you confident supporting open and honest conversations about race and inclusion?

This voluntary role could be for you.

This role is open to all staff and volunteers. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from individuals from racially minoritised communities. 

What’s in it for you?

• Contribute to making the RNLI a more inclusive organisation
• Opportunity to collaborate with others
• Opportunity to elevate voices
• Learn skills and gain experience
• Opportunity to meet new people within the RNLI

As a current Co-Chair shared:

“The most rewarding part is hearing perspectives and lived experiences different to my own.”

“The challenge is keeping the network alive, relevant and engaging, but that’s also where the opportunity is.” 

Key details

• Time commitment: Around 1–2 hours per week
• Tenure: 3 years (flexible)
• Start date: From July 2026, with a supported handover 

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach.

The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role (England & Wales: DBS, Scotland: PVG, Northern Ireland: Access NI, Republic of Ireland: Garda Vetting, International: International Child Protection Certificate process). 

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service.

We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. We also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values: trustworthy, courageous, selfless and dependable, helping us work towards our vision: To save Every One.

Safeguarding

The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process).

Diversity at the RNLI

Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.