Assistant National Officer – Local Government Team

UNISON Torbay Health; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

UNISON is the UK’s leading public services trade union, with a national centre in London and regional structures across the UK. The Assistant National Officer role supports the Local Government, Police, Probation & CAFCASS team by developing campaigns, producing materials and providing policy guidance to branches and regions.

You will link campaign activities to member recruitment and work with National Officers to deliver high-quality policy advice, research, training and events, ensuring

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of local government, police, probation or wider public service policy and delivery issues.
• Ability to own established projects and progress with minimal supervision.
• Experience organising, recruiting and delivering campaigns.
• Provide high-quality policy advice, guidance and bargaining support to stakeholders.
• Excellent communication to translate complex information for diverse audiences.
• Build effective relationships with colleagues, branches, regions and external partners.
• Strong research, analytical and report-writing skills for briefings and recommendations.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion and member engagement.

Responsibilities

• Work with National Officers to develop campaigns and materials.
• Provide advice, guidance, and bargaining support to stakeholders.
• Carry out research and organise training courses, meetings and events.
• Support recruitment and organisation of members and representatives.
• Ensure smooth operation of committees and forums and draft papers for committees.

Skills

Public policy knowledge

Campaign organising

Policy advice

Communication skills

Stakeholder relationship building

Research & report writing

Equality & inclusion focus

Job description

The role We have the lead role in negotiating pay and conditions of service and equality and diversity, as well as devising and delivering national campaigns on policy issues relating to local government.

UNISON is also the lead union for police staff in England, Scotland and Wales with 38,000 members. UNISON is responsible for negotiating police staff pay and conditions and campaigns to promote the work of police staff. UNISON is also one of three unions representing staff working for the Probation Service and for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS).

As a strategic centre we provide the necessary support and tools for our branches and regions to defend and promote jobs, services and pay and conditions at a local level and campaign with service users.

The role of Assistant National Officer is crucial to the work of the Local Government, Police, Probation & CAFCASS team and will work on a range of campaigns and issues. The post holders will work with National Officers, developing campaigns, producing materials, providing advice and guidance, carrying out research, organising training courses, meetings and other events, and the democratic structures of the union. They will link these activities to the recruitment and organisation of members and representatives. They will ensure the smooth running of committees and forums and will draft papers for committees.

The person

What we're looking for

• Has a strong understanding of local government, police, probation or wider public service policy and delivery issues.
• Can quickly take ownership of established projects and progress work with minimal supervision.
• Has experience of organising, recruiting and delivering successful campaigns.
• Can provide high-quality policy advice, guidance and bargaining support to a range of stakeholders.
• Is an excellent communicator, able to translate complex information into clear and accessible messages for different audiences.
• Builds effective relationships and works collaboratively with colleagues, branches, regions and external partners.
• Has strong research, analytical and report-writing skills, with the ability to prepare compelling briefings and recommendations.
• Understands the challenges facing a predominantly low-paid, female workforce and is committed to equality, inclusion and member engagement.

Please refer to the job description and person specification for full requirements for this role.

About UNISON

UNISON is the UK's leading public services trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public sector, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services. We employ approximately 1,200 staff, with around 370 at our national centre in Euston in central London and the remainder in our 12 regions across the UK, including Northern Ireland.

UNISON is a dynamic, progressive union, committed to equality. We encourage men and women of all ages, Black and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to work with us.