Website:
unison.org.uk
Job details:
The role
UNISON is the public service union. We bring together the voices of over 1.3 million workers in local government, health, education and outsourced services. Our 1,200 staff work across 12 UK regions and our national centre in London. Regional offices support the work of local branches, helping to represent, recruit, organise and retain members – as well as making key contributions in areas such as campaigning, strategies for negotiation and bargaining, and actions against discrimination.
As an Area Organiser, you’ll support Regional Organisers in establishing organising frameworks and in delivering the operational plan. It’s a key role that covers both organising and representation work.
Working in and across branches, sometimes on a high profile region wide basis, you’ll build recruitment and organising initiatives and campaigns, train and develop stewards, support branch communications, develop “green field” sites or inactive branches and, where necessary, build organisation from scratch. You’ll also undertake casework under supervision, which involves advising, supporting and mentoring branch officers and stewards in representation and negotiation, as well as providing help with case preparation and administration.
Representation typically spans both the provision of support for collective negotiations, researching relevant agreements and employers, writing up claims, making presentations and engaging with employers as required. As well as provision of individual representation covering grievances, disciplinaries, local workplace issues, general advice and guidance, and the mentoring of activists.
What we're looking for
- Relevant experience of developing solutions to resolve problems, including analysing information and statistical data, research (such as workplace mapping), drafting action plans, developing materials (e.g. publicity) and campaign plans; drafting statements of case.
- Ability to identify the training needs of others, with evidence of your own continuous personal learning and development.
- Experience of using your interpersonal skills to motivate people to participate in activities, making presentations, influencing outcomes at meetings, mentoring and coaching, writing newsletters, leaflets, etc.
- Experience of giving advice and representing members, including using conciliation skills to resolve disagreements and responding effectively to people who are angry or upset.
- Proven ability to organise and prioritise your own workload: making decisions (within guidelines), following policies and procedures, devolving work appropriately to others.
- Experience of project coordination, including effective time management, control of expenditure and maintaining confidential information.
- A commitment to the principles of equality and democracy, with a working knowledge of employment law, plus an understanding of the role of trades unions and the social/political environment in which ours operates.
- Knowledge of ICT packages, including Microsoft Office suite.
Please refer to the job description and person specification for full requirements for this role.
This is a field-based role and you will need to be able to travel in and around the East Midlands region, including to our regional office in Nottingham as required – and occasionally to other regions of the UK for training, meetings or other purposes. The East Midlands region covers a large area including Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.
How to apply
To apply for this opportunity please download and complete the area and local organiser application form, referring to the job description and person specification.
Please note that only the relevant application form will be accepted. CVs will not be accepted.
The completed application form, along with the recruitment and disability monitoring forms should be returned by email to Eastmidlands.recruitment@unison.co.uk quoting the reference number “R2/96T Area Organiser” in the subject line of the email.
Please save each of your documents to include your full name, followed by job title, region/dept and reference.
Completed application forms must be returned by 11:59 on 30 August 2026.
In-person interviews will take place on 21 and 22 September 2026 at the UNISON Regional Offices in Nottingham.
Please see a map of our regions.
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.
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