The MOD Conduct, Equity and Justice Directorate
The Ministry of Defence’s Conduct, Equity and Justice (CEJ) Directorate was officially launched on 1st April 2021, with the ambition to support Defence in being recognised within the UK and internationally, as leaders in equality, justice, and fairness.
The Directorate sets the strategic direction for D&I across Defence (both military and civilian) with a whole force remit, cohering and delivering a range of projects and policies. The creation of the CEJ Directorate was a clear and public statement of Defences’ intent to act to tangibly, rapidly, and significantly improve the experience of all those working in Defence.
In a rapidly changing world with new threats emerging and evolving, we will only meet current and future security challenges and threats if all our people, regardless of background, are confident to give their best self, have their effort and their skills properly recognised, their individuality and experience respected and are able to achieve their full potential.
“Our role is to identify the positive things we can do to make Defence more diverse and to unlock the power of that diversity through inclusion, making sure that all our people are able to maximise their talent and deliver their very best to protect our nation.”
Sam des Forges
Director of Conduct, Equity & Justice
The MOD Directorate of Conduct, Equity & Justice provides 3 broad areas of focus:
Staff Network consultants
Defence staff network consultants work alongside staff networks to improve the experience and opportunities of colleagues in minority groups within the department.
Policies and Projects
The policy and project team develop projects and policies which will enable Defence to become a more diverse and inclusive employer. Areas of work include a cross-cutting team which leads on proactive and reactive communications, benchmarking, secretariat and D&I training.
Measuring Change
Finally, the portfolio office measures and analyses D&I activities across to Defence to ensure they deliver meaningful change. 
Civil Service Staff Networks
Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace across the Civil Service is a priority. Staff networks make sure that everyone can have their voice heard. Find out more about the role staff networks play across the Civil Service.
The Civil Service Disability Network
The Civil Service Disability Network (CSDN) connects disabled employee networks across the Civil Service.
CSDN has a number of sub-networks which support employees with specific disabilities and long-term health conditions, such as the Civil Service Neurodiversity Network, and the Civil Service Stammering Network.
“Our networks make sure that everyone across Defence can have their voice heard. They contribute to supporting all under-represented and disadvantaged groups within our organisation, providing our people with a safe space to speak up, share experiences and facilitate learning and development.”
CEJ Directorate
Ministry of Defence
The Civil Service LGBT+ Network
The Civil Service LGBT+ Network helps to create a more diverse, inclusive and equal place to work for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans civil servants.
LGBT+ Network volunteers develop policy, organise and deliver social, networking and learning events, and promote diversity and inclusion of LGBT+ staff.
Trade Unions
The Trade Unions are the formal voice of the MOD civil service staff and are formally and informally consulted by the central D&I team. Networks provide a different perspective on inclusion issues to the organisation.
We are fortunate to have a variety of thriving staff Networks across our organisation, and our subsidiaries, that support and drive forward our work in building an inclusive and diverse workforce.
Our partnership with the Trade Unions and networks help shape and deliver ideas that improve Defence, and help us build a department where everyone, regardless of background, is confident to give their best self, have their effort and skills properly recognised, and their individuality and experiences respected