University and College Union have a new opportunity for Political Officer.
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:
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To develop and implement UCU’s political strategy, and to review the strategy with the Head of Equality & Policy annually
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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
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To develop and maintain positive relationships across Westminster and Whitehall to deliver effective political influence for UCU
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In liaison with UCU regional and devolved nation officials, develop political work at regional, devolved nation, and branch levels
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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
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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:
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Knowledge of the UK post-compulsory education sector
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Experience in current affairs with solid understanding of education and the wider political landscape
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Experience of political work at national and local level, including influencing ministers, MPs, civil servants, and other stakeholders
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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:
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Supportive Family Policies: Embrace family life with enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, and Shared Parental Leave schemes
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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
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Flexible Working: Take advantage of our Flexitime scheme, allowing you to tailor your work hours within our Work Life Balance policy
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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
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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 reassignment, 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
To submit your application for this exciting Political Officer opportunity, please click ‘Apply’ now
