About this job
The Role
UNISON is the UK’s leading public services trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public services, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services. We employ 1200 staff, approximately 370 at our national centre in Euston, central London and the remainder in our twelve regions across the UK, including Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Region has over 53,000 members working primarily in health, social care, education and the community & voluntary sectors.
UNISON is committed to improving the working lives of our members and securing equality and rights for their families and communities. This role is at the heart of our mission: Initiating, developing and co-ordinating the research, policy interventions and projects that will enable us meet our objectives.
Working with the Regional Management Team in Northern Ireland the Policy Officer’s role is to formulate and develop policy; to provide information and advice to UNISON’s Regional Council/Regional Committee; policy support and guidance to lay structures, branches and staff teams; and to represent the union to outside organisations including Government(s), employer organisations, public bodies and external allies. The Policy Officer is both a team member and team leader.
To expand on the information contained in the job description and person specification we set out below some of the key functions of this post as it currently operates in UNISON Northern Ireland. Functions include:
- Drafting and co-ordinating responses to NI Government, and where appropriate, UK and international, consultation documents, calls for evidence and draft legislation – with a particular emphasis on equality and human rights – and disseminating UNISON’s responses through the activist base to relevant external organisations and, where appropriate through the media;
- supporting UNISON’s democratic structures including providing briefings for branch and regional delegations to UNISON and wider trade union conferences; providing regular updates for UNISON NI Regional Committee and Regional Council;
- co-ordinating the development of key UNISON policy across all our objectives (including our work on developing a public health model for Northern Ireland) and providing staff, activists and branches with accessible guidance;
- engaging with employers and external organisations, political parties and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions as appropriate;
- engaging with UNISON HQ and, in particular, UNISON’s Policy Department as appropriate
- keeping the UNISON team updated on relevant developments in EU and wider programmes, policy and legislation as it affects membership and public services in Northern Ireland – including the range of instruments designed to monitor Government delivery on equality and human rights;
- Initiating, developing and co-ordinating lobbying and advocacy as and when appropriate;
- Initiating, developing and co-ordinating UNISON NI strategies on equality and human rights across our organising, bargaining and campaigning objectives and programmes of work;
- working with our wide range of allies and partners in the equality and human rights field;
- assisting with developing UNISON NI’s unique partnership programme – designed to improve service delivery and the working lives of UNISON
- preparing press and media releases, and engaging with the print and broadcast media as appropriate.
How to apply
To apply for this opportunity please download and complete the General application form (under “Documents”). See job description and person specification (under “Documents”). Please note that only the General application form will be accepted.
The completed application form along with the Recruitment and Disability Monitoring Form should be sent to UNISON HR Team by email to hrrecruitment@unison.co.uk quoting the correct ref: R5/39
Completed application forms must be received by no later than Monday 28 April 2025 at 12.00 Noon
Interviews will be held on the 12 and 13 of May 2025.
About UNISON
UNISON is the UK’s leading public services trade union, with over 1.3 million members working in the public sector, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services. We employ approximately 1,200 staff, with around 370 at our national centre in Euston in central London and the remainder in our 12 regions across the UK, including Northern Ireland.
UNISON is a dynamic, progressive union, committed to equality. We encourage men and women of all ages, Black and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to work with us.
