JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE:REGIONAL OFFICER (R102)
GRADE:BAND 3
LOCATION:NORTHERN REGIONAL OFFICE (CHESTER LE STREET)
RESPONSIBLE TO:REGIONAL SECRETARY
THE ROLE OF THE REGIONAL OFFICE:
The Union employs over one hundred employees in eight regions and in Wales and these offices are serviced by central office departments located at NUT Headquarters, Hamilton House. The regional offices have responsibility for supporting our local associations and divisions in their organising work and taking the Union’s services into schools and providing advice, guidance and support to members both on an individual and collective basis.
The Regional Secretary is assisted by a team of Regional Officers based in the Regional Office who undertake member’s casework including up to representation at tribunal, participating in negotiations with local employers, undertaking recruitment activities and campaigns, providing training for local Union representatives and promoting the Union locally. Additionally each Regional Office in England and the NUT Cymru Office in Wales has a Solicitor providing legal assistance to members and to the Union generally in the region/Wales. This includes the representation of individual members in the Courts and Tribunals and involves technical work in legal processes. Further assistance on all aspects of professional services is offered at regional level.
Oversight and co-ordination of the Wales/regional structure and dissemination of key policy areas, information, advice and support is provided by the Assistant Secretary, Organising and Membership Department at Headquarters.
The Senior Solicitor has overall responsibility for all legal aspects of the Union's work. The Assistant Secretary - Organising and Membership, has overall responsibility for the development and implementation of policies and strategies relating to membership recruitment and retention and will advise Wales/Regional Secretaries on all aspects of membership recruitment and retention. Headquarters' Assistant Secretaries provide information, advice and support on policy areas for dissemination to members by the most appropriate means, for support to the Wales/regional structure and in response to requests from Wales/Regional Secretaries in respect of individual matters and cases.
The Regional Secretary has overall responsibility for the work and efficiency of the Regional Office. The Principal Officer undertakes day-to-day administrative direction of the Regional Office and is assisted by two Professional/Administrative Officers. In addition, the Administrative/Clerical Assistants are responsible for providing assistance of an organisational, administrative, secretarial and clerical nature relevant to their particular areas of work.
Broad responsibilities are allocated to particular staff within the Regional Office but staff will be requested to undertake such other duties appropriate to their grade which may be allocated by the Regional Secretary and which are relevant to the work of the Regional Office.
Staff have responsibility for keeping under review procedures and systems relating to their area of work within their office, including the use of new technological developments where advantageous.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
To assist the Regional Secretary in carrying out the various services of the Regional Office under the direction of the Regional Secretary. Such duties could include:
1.Assistance in dealing with individual casework.*
2.Assistance and support to divisions in negotiations with local authorities.
3.Liaison with Executive Members, division and local association officers.
4.The projection of the Union through the regional media and, in conjunction with regional executive Members, in the promotion of the Union within the region.
5.Direct activities within the region relating to co-ordinating of and participating in recruitment and retention of members.
6.Assistance in the co-ordination of and in training throughout the region consistent with the Union's national training programme.
7.Assistance in supporting as appropriate the national training programme having regard to the needs of the region.
8.Supporting divisions and local associations in the region.
9.Attendance at division and local association meetings within the region when appropriate and possible.
*Casework currently accounts for up to approx 75% of the workload and can include handling cases up to employment tribunal level.
R102 Jan 2006
PERSON SPECIFICATION
1.SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Essential Criteria
a)An understanding of the education service.
b)Excellent oral and written communication skills and analytical skills.
c)The ability to think independently and to make decisions.
d)Evidence of sufficient knowledge of negotiating procedures to be able to effectively represent Union members locally, both individually and collectively, in employment issues/union activities.
e)The ability to promote the Union in the Region, both through the media and in the workplace and to participate effectively in the recruitment and retention of members; to assist in the planning and co-ordination of such activities in the region.
f)The ability to motivate and assist local union officers in their role and in the organisation of local associations/divisions.
g)The ability to co-ordinate and tutor training courses within the region for members in Union activities; the preparation of associated course materials and to provide similar assistance with the Union's national training programme.
h)A willingness to receive training in the use and operation of the Union's computerised membership database/information technology systems.
Desirable Criteria
a)General knowledge and understanding of employment law.
2.QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION
Desirable Criteria
a)Qualified Teacher Status
b)Current membership of the National Union of Teachers
3.EXPERIENCE
Desirable Criteria
a)Experience in handling a casework load appropriate to the grade of Regional Officer and the ability to take such cases through to conclusion.
4.SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Essential Criteria
a)A full and valid driving licence.
b)A willingness to tutor training courses and other commitments which may require occasional stays away from home.
c)A firm commitment to the trade union movement, to the role of teacher unions in particular and to the belief that enhancing the teaching profession is an essential element in a quality public education service.
d)An understanding of and commitment to the Union's equal opportunities policy statement.
R102 Jan 2006