Diversity Officer for Staff

The Diversity Officer for Staff is responsible for promoting equality, diversity and inclusion across MNU’s employment and working environment. The officer works to ensure that all employees, irrespective of gender, age, disability, nationality, employment category or personal circumstances, are treated fairly and have equitable opportunities for employment, professional development, career progression and participation in university activities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Promoting equal opportunities: Advocating fair and non-discriminatory practices in staff recruitment, selection, employment, promotion, professional development and career advancement.
• Preventing discrimination and harassment: Promoting awareness of workplace discrimination, gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment and other forms of unfair treatment, while supporting appropriate reporting and referral mechanisms.
• Supporting staff diversity and inclusion: Identifying barriers affecting different groups of employees and advocating reasonable workplace arrangements and support measures to facilitate their participation.
• Promoting women’s participation and advancement: Supporting initiatives that strengthen women’s representation, leadership opportunities and career development within the University.
• Staff awareness and capacity building: Coordinating awareness programmes and training on workplace equality, respectful conduct, diversity and inclusive leadership.
• Monitoring and reporting: Reviewing concerns, identifying institutional gaps and reporting on progress in implementing diversity and inclusion measures.

 

Diversity Officer for Students

The Diversity Officer for Students is responsible for promoting equitable access, participation, inclusion and success throughout the student experience. The officer advocates for an accessible and supportive learning environment in which students from different backgrounds and circumstances can participate fully in academic, social and extracurricular activities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Promoting equitable access and participation: Advocating fair opportunities for students irrespective of gender, disability, socioeconomic circumstances, geographical location or other barriers that may affect participation in higher education.
• Supporting students with disabilities: Promoting accessibility, reasonable support arrangements and inclusive learning environments to enable students with disabilities to participate fully in university life.
• Preventing discrimination and harassment: Supporting awareness, reporting and referral mechanisms relating to discrimination, bullying, sexual harassment and other forms of exclusion affecting students.
• Addressing barriers to student success: Identifying challenges faced by disadvantaged and underrepresented students and advocating appropriate academic, pastoral and other support interventions.
• Promoting student representation and voice: Encouraging inclusive student participation in university governance, consultations, decision-making and student activities.
• Monitoring and reporting: Reviewing student concerns, identifying patterns of inequality and reporting on initiatives and outcomes that contribute to reducing inequalities in the student community.

 

Institutional policies supporting the work of the University Diversity Officers

MNU’s commitment to reducing inequalities is supported by institutional policies that establish the principles, responsibilities and mechanisms for ensuring fair treatment, equal opportunities, accessibility and protection from discrimination.

The following policies are particularly relevant to the work of the two Diversity Officers.

 

1. Policies supporting staff diversity and inclusion

MNU policy / regulatory framework	Relevance to the Diversity Officer for Staff
Policy on Workplace Anti-Discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion	Provides the institutional framework for preventing workplace discrimination and promoting a diverse and inclusive working environment.
Policy on Non-Discrimination Against Women	Supports equal treatment and protection of women from discrimination in employment and professional participation.
Policy on Anti-Sexual Harassment and Abuse	Establishes protection against sexual harassment and abuse and supports appropriate reporting and response mechanisms.
Gender Equality Act (Law No. 18/2016)	Provides the national legislative framework for gender equality and protection against gender-based discrimination.
Staff Development Policy	Supports equitable access to staff training, professional development and opportunities for career advancement.
Grievance Policy	Provides a mechanism through which staff can raise employment-related concerns and seek appropriate redress.
Policy on Expatriate Staff Welfare	Supports the welfare and fair treatment of expatriate employees within the University.

 

1. Policies supporting student diversity and inclusion

MNU policy / regulatory framework	Relevance to the Diversity Officer for Students
Equity, Access, Student Success and Inclusion Policy	Establishes an institutional framework for equitable access, participation, student support and successful completion of studies.
Supporting Students with Disability Policy	Promotes equal opportunities and reasonable support for students with disabilities in physical, learning and social environments.
Academic and Pastoral Support Policy	Provides a framework for academic guidance, pastoral support and attention to students’ overall well-being.
Student Voice Policy	Supports student participation in university governance, consultation and decision-making.
Policy on Anti-Sexual Harassment and Abuse	Provides protection and reporting mechanisms for students experiencing sexual harassment and abuse.
Policy on Non-Discrimination Against Women	Reinforces the University’s commitment to protecting women from discrimination and promoting equal participation.
MNU Student Scholarships Scheme	Supports access to higher education through scholarship opportunities.

These policies collectively provide the institutional foundation for the Diversity Officers’ work.

 

Coordination, implementation and accountability

The two Diversity Officers work in coordination with relevant university departments, faculties, administrative units, student representatives and existing institutional committees to promote the effective implementation of equality and inclusion measures.

Their responsibilities include:

• Providing advice and recommendations to university management on matters relating to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Facilitating the implementation and awareness of relevant university policies.
• Receiving and referring concerns relating to discrimination, inequality and exclusion through established university procedures.
• Identifying gaps in existing institutional practices and recommending improvements.
• Promoting awareness programmes and training for staff and students.
• Monitoring participation, representation and inclusion across the university community.
• Preparing periodic reports on activities, identified challenges, actions taken and progress achieved.

The Diversity Officers complement, rather than replace, the University’s established grievance procedures, disciplinary processes and committees responsible for investigating formal complaints.

 

Monitoring and demonstrating impact

MNU will monitor the effectiveness of its diversity and inclusion initiatives through documented activities, institutional data and periodic reporting. Relevant indicators may include:

• Representation of women in academic, administrative and leadership positions.
• Participation of staff from different employment categories in professional development and leadership opportunities.
• Accessibility and support arrangements provided to students with disabilities.
• Student participation and representation in university governance and decision-making.
• Number and nature of diversity and inclusion awareness programmes conducted.
• Concerns relating to discrimination and harassment received and appropriately referred or addressed.
• Initiatives undertaken to support students experiencing socioeconomic, geographical or other barriers to higher education.

All monitoring and reporting will respect confidentiality, privacy and the dignity of individuals.

 

Contribution to SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

Through the appointment of dedicated Diversity Officers for staff and students, MNU strengthens institutional accountability for promoting equality and inclusion across both its employment and educational environments.

This approach ensures that diversity and inclusion are not addressed solely through individual policies, but are actively promoted through designated institutional responsibilities, awareness programmes, support mechanisms and continuous evaluation.

By addressing barriers affecting staff and students, promoting equal opportunities, protecting individual rights and encouraging inclusive participation, MNU contributes to reducing inequalities within the University and advancing a more equitable higher education environment in the Maldives.