JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:REGIONAL SECRETARY (R601)

BAND:BAND 2

LOCATION:SOUTH EASTERN REGIONAL OFFICE (ARDINGLY)

RESPONSIBLE TO:GENERAL 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

1.To manage and deploy the regional team to ensure maximum support to divisions, local associations and members.

2.To provide assistance and support in negotiations with local authorities and, where appropriate, schools.

3.To maintain liaison with the Executive members and with division secretaries.

4.To project the Union through the media in the area and, in conjunction with Executive members in areas, to be responsible generally for promoting the Union within the region.

5.To oversee and co-ordinate activities in the region relating to the recruitment and retention of members.

6.To co-ordinate and assist training throughout the region consistent with the Union's national training programme.

7.To provide support as appropriate to the national training programme having regard to the needs of the region.

8.To be responsible for overseeing handling of casework.

9.To help and advise Officers of local associations and divisions in the region.

10.To deal with Tenure, Law, Conditions of Service, Salaries, Superannuation, Education, Equal Opportunities, Membership and other cases in their respective areas which may be referred to them.

11.To attend local association and division meetings in their region when appropriate and possible.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

1.SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Essential Criteria

(a)The necessary skills and abilities successfully to undertake a senior management role within the Union's Regional Office and to lead a small team of professional and administrative staff.

(b)The ability to appoint, manage, deploy and develop staff and to manage a budget.

(c)The ability to negotiate on behalf of members both individually and collectively.

(d)Detailed knowledge and understanding of the education system in England.

(e)Excellent oral and written communication skills and analytical skills.

(f)Excellent co-ordination skills, particularly in the following areas:

(i)Co-ordinating and overseeing activities within the area covered by the Union's Regional Office, particularly those relating to effective recruitment strategies and the retention of members.

(ii)Co-ordinating and overseeing Union training requirements in the area.

(g)The ability to offer clear advice and guidance to Union members, Executive area representatives, local association and division officers.

(h)The ability to work under pressure and to respond rapidly to new initiatives.

(i)Proven ability in dealing with complex casework, including taking such cases to conclusion. Ability to oversee all casework handled in the Regional Office, to identify significant casework and to take the appropriate action.

(j)The skills and ability to plan and co-ordinate the promotion of the Union, through the media, within the education service and amongst teachers.

(k)A willingness to receive training in the use and operation of the Union's computerised membership database and information technology systems.

2.QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION

Essential Criteria

None.

Desirable Criteria

(a)Qualified teacher status.

(b)Current membership of the National Union of Teachers.

3.EXPERIENCE

Essential Criteria

(a)Proven experience in handling local union negotiations with LEAs/governing bodies.

(b)Knowledge and understanding of employment law.

Desirable Criteria

None.

4.SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Essential Criteria

(a)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.

(b)A firm commitment to providing high quality union services to members.

(c)An understanding of equal opportunities issues in relation to education and a firm commitment to the Union's Equal Opportunity Employment Policy Statement.

(d)A willingness to attend any Annual or Special Conference of the Union and to undertake other commitments which will involve occasional stays away from home.

(e)A full and valid driving licence.

(f)The Regional Secretary for the Region will be expected to live within reasonable access of the Regional Office.