Branch Caseworker

Unison; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government union branch in Newcastle is seeking a Caseworker to support members and assist in various casework duties. The successful candidate will engage in recruitment, support the development of activists, and represent members at key meetings. Strong interpersonal and organisational skills are essential, alongside a good understanding of the trade union movement. Flexibility in working hours may be required, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Benefits

Mileage reimbursement for business miles

Qualifications

• Good interpersonal and IT skills required.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills are essential.
• Good understanding of the trade union movement is needed.

Responsibilities

• Support members in Newcastle Council and the private and voluntary sector.
• Undertake individual casework and support the development of new activists.
• Assist with providing quality representation at meetings.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

IT skills

Administrative skills

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Experience in recruitment

Experience in campaigning

Job description

UNISON Newcastle City branch is the largest Local Government branch in the Northern Region. We are looking to recruit a Caseworker to support members in Newcastle Council, and the private and voluntary sector across Tyne and Wear, working alongside branch staff and activists.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will bring experience and skills in assisting the branch to recruit, undertake individual casework, support the development of new activists, and drive forward our campaigning work. The successful candidate will be an experienced team player, have good communication and time management skills, and the ability to organise workload and effectively manage priorities.

You will need to undertake a range of development and casework duties to support our members and activists, often working to tight deadlines and being responsible for updating and maintaining accurate and confidential records.

The caseworker post is a branch-based position and reports to the Branch Secretary.

The successful candidate will ideally have experience within UNISON or another TU background, although this is not essential.

Amongst other duties commensurate with the job description, the role will be primarily to assist the branch with:

• Providing quality representation at disciplinary, grievance, sickness absence meetings and other aspects of membership representation as instructed by the Branch.
• Building sustainable union organisation, including through the recruitment of members and the recruitment, training and development of stewards.

The postholder will ultimately to the UNISON Newcastle City Branch Committee.

In the main, the postholder will work Monday to Friday; however, flexibility around attending branch and member meetings will need to be possible. This may include occasional evening or weekend meetings. You will be required to attend meetings across Newcastle and Tyne and Wear as required and mileage reimbursement is paid for business miles.

Qualifications

To undertake this role, you must have good interpersonal and IT skills, excellent administrative and organisational skills and a good understanding and knowledge of the trade union movement. Although the role requires a degree of lone working it will also be essential to keep other members of the branch team updated and good communication is key.

The successful candidate will bring their experience and skills in one-to-one representation, communications, recruitment, organising and campaigning. To undertake this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate experience and knowledge of the Trade Union and Labour movement.

The caseworker must have a clear understanding of equalities and how to increase participation in a member-based organisation using different media platforms to raise UNISON's profile. They will be highly focused on building the organisation and providing member satisfaction with the service provided. They will have enthusiasm and commitment which motivates lay activists, new stewards, members, and potential members.