Political Officer

University and College Union (UCU); Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

USS pension

Training & development

Family policies

Health & wellbeing support

Job summary

University and College Union (UCU) is recruiting a Political Officer to implement its political strategy and coordinate public affairs and stakeholder engagement across Westminster and Whitehall. The role involves liaising with political consultants, regional officials, and branch levels to advance UCU’s priorities.

The ideal candidate will have GCSE-level education and experience in a similar not-for-profit or union environment, plus knowledge of the UK post-16 education sector and current

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate should have GCSE level education or equivalent (maths and English).
• Experience in a similar environment or working for a trade union/not-for-profit is desirable.
• Knowledge of the UK post-compulsory education sector is advantageous.
• Experience in current affairs and understanding of education and the broader political context is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement UCU's political strategy and co-ordinate public affairs work.
• Oversee political liaison in Westminster and liaise with political consultants and stakeholders.
• Build relationships across Westminster and Whitehall to influence policy for UCU.
• Work with regional/national officials to develop political activity at regional and branch levels.
• Represent UCU in Parliament and coordinate lobbying at party conferences.

Skills

Public affairs

Political liaison

Stakeholder engagement

Westminster lobbying

Education

GCSE level or equivalent

Job description

University and College Union have a new opportunity for Political Officer.

Find out if this opportunity is a good fit by reading all of the information that follows below.

Reference Number: PO2

Salary: £72,384 p.a. (inclusive of London Allowance)

Hours: 35 per week

Contract: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH

Closing Date: Friday 6 November at 10.00 am

About Us

The University and College Union (UCU) represents over 120,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and training organisations across the UK. We also have members in the private sector, for example in private training agencies and language schools, as well as members working on a freelance basis. Students training to teach in post-school education also belong to UCU.

Political Officer – About The Role

UCU is looking for a Political Officer to implement UCU’s political strategy and co‑ordinate the union’s public affairs work, co‑ordinate political liaison and stakeholder engagement in support of the union’s communications and campaigning priorities; working with colleagues to ensure UCU’s policies and priorities are effectively represented and promoted.

Political Officer - Key Details Include

• To develop and implement UCU’s political strategy, and to review the strategy with the Head of Equality & Policy annually
• To oversee UCU’s public affairs and political liaison work, particularly in Westminster, including the UCU Parliamentary Group, liaising with the union’s political consultants and other stakeholders
• To develop and maintain positive relationships across Westminster and Whitehall to deliver effective political influence for UCU
• In liaison with UCU regional and devolved nation officials, develop political work at regional, devolved nation, and branch levels
• To represent UCU in the UK parliament at Westminster and Whitehall and, in liaison with regional and devolved nation officials, with devolved nation administrations and regional, mayoral, and unitary authorities
• To coordinate the union’s lobbying and public affairs activities at political party conferences

Political Officer – You

The ideal candidate must be educated to GCSE level or equivalent (inc. maths & English) and would suit someone with experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a trade union or other not-for-profit organisation.

Other Duties To Include

• Knowledge of the UK post‑compulsory education sector
• Experience in current affairs with solid understanding of education and the wider political landscape
• Experience of political work at national and local level, including influencing ministers, MPs, civil servants, and other stakeholders
• Experience of effectively planning and organising workload (e.g. in order to meet deadlines)

Further Information

We welcome applications from any candidate but are particularly keen to receive applications from women and global majority candidates, who are currently underrepresented at this grade in UCU; if this is you, we invite you to join an online briefing, Monday 2 November from 12pm.

Benefits Of Working For The University And College Union

We offer a number of financial and welfare benefits to support our employees,

Highlights Include

• Supportive Family Policies: Embrace family life with enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, and Shared Parental Leave schemes
• Health and Well‑being Support: Access to confidential counselling 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme; advice and face‑to‑face intervention from via our Physiotherapy Advice Line; healthcare assessment
• Flexible Working: Take advantage of our Flexitime scheme, allowing you to tailor your work hours within our Work Life Balance policy
• Financial Assistance: Benefit from being enrolled in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), childcare support, interest‑free season ticket loans, and assistance with the cost of eyesight testing and glasses for DSE use
• Training and Development: Elevate your skills with tailored training, developmental support, and access to live and on demand courses available through our online training platform

Note: working arrangements

UCU requires its employees to work from their office/in the field for at least 60% of their working week. They may apply to work from home for the remaining 40% but UCU cannot guarantee that this will be agreed.

Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring

We need your support to make sure our employees come from a variety of backgrounds, so we especially welcome applications from disadvantaged communities.

Equal Opportunities

UCU is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender re rignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

We are happy to accept applications in alternative formats.

Closing date for applications: Friday 6 November at 10 am.

Interview date: Monday 7 December.