Assistant National Officer – Local Government Team

Unison; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

UNISON is the UK's leading public services trade union, with over 1.3 million members across the public, private, voluntary and community sectors. The role of Assistant National Officer in the Local Government Team involves developing campaigns, providing policy advice and carrying out research to support pay, conditions and equality initiatives.

The post holder will work with National Officers, link activities to recruitment and organisation, and help ensure the smooth running of committees and

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of local government, police, probation or wider public service policy.
• Ability to take ownership of established projects and progress work with minimal supervision.
• Experience in organising, recruiting and delivering campaigns.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear messages for different audiences.
• Strong research, analytical and report-writing skills.
• Committed to equality, inclusion and member engagement.

Responsibilities

• Work on a range of campaigns and issues for Local Government, Police, Probation & CAFCASS.
• Develop campaigns, produce materials and provide advice and guidance.
• Carry out research and organise training courses, meetings and other events.
• Draft papers for committees and support democratic structures of the union.

Skills

Policy analysis

Campaign organisation

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Research

Job description

Assistant National Officer – Local Government Team

UNISON is the largest trade union in Local Government, with 600,000 members across a broad range of occupations and employers.

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

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.

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.

Starting salary: £48,787 per annum, plus £7,170 London Weighting allowance

Job reference: BNE/52

UNISON in numbers

• UNISON has more than 1.3 million members and activists, making us one of Europe’s largest unions
• More than 70% of our members are women
• UNISON is spread over 12 UK regions
• UNISON has more than 1,000 UNISON UK branches