UNISON. Job Brief: Director of the Executive Office

Transcription

1 UNISON Job Brief: Director of the Executive Office Introduction 1. UNISON is Britain s leading trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public services, energy services, private voluntary and community sectors. We employee 1200 staff, approximately 370 at our national centre in Euston central London and the remainder in our 12 regions across the UK including Northern Ireland. 2. UNISON is facing unparalleled political and industrial challenges, but many of the changes which we have initiated stand us in good stead to meet these challenges. We have for example developed clear objectives and priorities, introduced formal project management processes, developed our ICT, changed our service group structures and most importantly of all have focused firmly on recruitment and organising at branch and regional level through the introduction of new local and area organisers. 3. The Executive Office is located at the centre of the union supporting the General Secretariat and the NEC in the effective management of the union, ensuring that UNISON meets its objectives. There are 17 members of staff in the directorate and the post holder and is responsible for the following areas of work. Providing strategic advice to the General Secretary and the General Secretariat helping to provide shape and direction to their work The planning and delivery of UNISON s conferences Programme and Project Management National Executive Council organisation and administration Complaints submitted by members and third parties Ballots to authorise industrial action Elections UNISON s telephone advice and information service Provide advice on constitutional and rule book matters. 4. UNISON is in a period of transition, it has recently appointed five ssistant General Secretaries. The Director of the Executive Office plays a critical role in shaping and focusing their discussions and those of the national lay leadership. This involves close liaison with the General Secretary and his colleagues to integrate the agendas, and activities of the General Secretariat and UNISON s National Executive Council. They carry out the same function for UNISON s Senior Management Group and the various forums which 1

2 UNISON has created to consult and brief its senior managers i.e. the biannual national and regional manager s forums. 5. The post holder attends the secretariat meetings and reports directly to UNISON s General Secretary. They utilise the resources of the executive office to support the leadership of UNISON, this includes assistance with forward planning, elections and conference administration progress chasing, leadership support and development, and the design and implementation of the organisation s objectives. Their role in these activities is informed by a comprehensive understanding of UNISON, and shrewd political judgement equipping them to deal with difficult and challenging circumstances as they arise. 6. They have oversight of the budgets for UNISON 14 annual conferences, those of the Programme and Project Office, and the Member Liaison Unit. They directly manage the budget and expenditure of UNISON s National Executive Council. This responsibility involves ensuring that UNISON is taking all appropriate measures to achieve the best possible value for money. 7. The Director of the Executive Office makes a significant contribution to developing the leadership capacity of the National Executive Council, identifying the knowledge and skills development they require and designing appropriate support and development for individual members. They also play a major role in shaping the agenda of UNISON s annual leadership school. 8. They have the skills, authority and contacts needed to successfully network across the whole of the labour movement, enabling UNISON to position itself effectively with both the Labour Party and the Trade Union Congress. This includes identifying suitable organisations for closer working; activities to support effective inter union relationships and the planning and co-ordination of major joint union and labour movement campaigns. In particular they will have excellent presentation, public speaking, and influencing skills, a strategic understanding and commitment to partnership working within the organisation and a strong affiliation to a public service ethos. 9. They oversee disciplinary investigations, hearings and appeals, have lead responsibility for advising on UNISON Rules and all related constitutional matters 10. They have managerial responsibility for the following: 7 staff working in the member liaison unit which provides an advice and information line to UNISON members throughout the country and deals with the UNISON s industrial action ballots and all of its elections; 6 staff who organise UNISON 2

3 conferences, 4 staff who provide project management support to departments and regions and the NEC Support Officer. 11. One of the first acts of the new post holder will be to undertake a review of the Executive Office to ensure that the different functions are effectively aligned and able to support the leadership of the organisation through the challenges it faces in the coming period. 3

4 UNISON Director of the Executive Office Ref: EXO/01 JOB DESCRIPTION Grade: 1 Location: Reports to: Responsible for: UNISON Centre The General Secretary ll staff in the Executive Office OVERLL SUMMRY This post is the National Director of the Executive Office and reports directly to the General Secretary of UNISON. The post-holder is responsible for shaping and focusing the work of UNISON s leadership teams, and for the effective provision of; industrial action ballots, the telephone advice and information line for UNISON members, project management support to UNISON Centre departments and regions, and UNISON conferences. Key Responsibilities Supporting the General Secretary with the work of UNISON s leadership teams. Has lead responsibility the production and implementation of UNISON s objectives. Developing the leadership capacity of the National Executive Council, identifying development needs and designing programmes such as the national leadership school to meet these. Networking across the labour movement to help maintain effective inter-union working, and effective working relationships with the labour party, identifying and enabling future mergers. Management of UNISON s Industrial action ballots and strategy. n overview of all internal disciplinary investigations, hearings and appeals. Responsibility for 17 staff employed across four functions (Member Liaison, Conference rrangements, The Programme and Project Office, and NEC Support ) providing services to other parts of the organisation. 4

5 Manages staff, resources, functions and activities within the Executive Office. Ensures UNISON complies with legislation on Industrial ction ballots. Provides lead support at National Executive Council Meetings. Manages UNISON s NEC Budget, and has an oversight of budgets for the other functions which form the Executive Office. Ensures that the services provided by the Executive Office are of a high standard and continue to meet the business needs of the organisation. Develops effective communications with staff and managers on areas of responsibility. Lead officer for constitutional and rule book matters including advice to the General Secretariat and NEC Undertakes other duties as required by a grade descriptor and or job profile for this post. 5

6 UNISON Director of the Executive Office Ref: EXO/01 PERSON SPECIFICTION ND SELECTION CRITERI UNISON is an equal opportunities employer, committed to providing equal opportunities regardless of race or ethnic origin, gender identity, family situation, sexual orientation, disability, religion or age. This person specification is designed to help members of Interviewing Panels judge the qualities of interviewees in a systematic and consistent way and in accordance with UNISON s equal opportunities policy. It is given to all job applicants for information. ssessment code pplication form Pl panel interview ST - selection tests (1-3) Heading Selection criteria ssessment 1. Thinking Skills Experience of undertaking strategic planning, organisational development and management of change, including ability to evaluate and improve organisational performance. ST3 bility to help shape the political direction of UNISON and its senior management teams. ST1 Evidence of promoting equality at a managerial and strategic level. ST2 Commitment to and understanding of UNISON s aims and values and trade unions. ST1 bility to work in partnership with senior lay activists to achieve national and regional objectives. 2. Interpersonal & Communication Excellent presentation, facilitation and public speaking skills. ST1 6

7 Skills Experience of dealing with the media and developing a media strategy. ST2 bility to communicate effectively with managers, staff and lay members at all levels including complex report writing and presentation skills. ST1 bility to represent the union externally at a senior level to a range of organisations. ST2 ble to demonstrate emotional resilience, self awareness and self management. ST2 3. Initiative and independence Experience of developing, managing, monitoring, controlling and evaluating strategic services, systems, and/or structures. bility to act as key advisor to senior managers and senior lay committees as appropriate. ST 4. Staff Management Management experience at senior level. Experience of managing multifunctional units or teams including managing strategic projects and coordinating the work of others. Experience of effectively managing systems and resources. ST3 bility to contribute effectively to the Senior Management Group. Experience of selecting, motivating, developing and managing staff and their performance. Experience of developing work programmes including setting standards, monitoring and evaluation. Experience of managing and prioritising work under pressure (both self and others). 7 ST3

8 5. Resource Management Experience of securing, monitoring, controlling and reporting on complex departmental/regional budgets. bility to ensure value for money and effective use of resources. ICT skills draft own reports/correspondence/keep e-diary. ST1 6. General Knowledge bility to operate flexibly under the direction of the NEC, General Secretary and Senior Management Group. ST Detailed knowledge of the political, economic, social and legal environment in which the Union operates. Detailed understanding of employment and trade union law. ST2 ST Other Information: Please send 3 copies of the completed application forms to the HR Department, UNISON, 130 Euston Road, London, NW1 2Y quoting the ref no: EXO/01 Completed application forms must be received by no later than 12 noon on Tuesday 23 May Interviews are scheduled for week of 05 June