4545/LP/NC

8 February 2018

To the Applicant

named in the Address

Dear Applicant

Information for Applicants

Thank you for the interest you have shown in the vacancy of Deputy Head of Education and Training, Education Department, Central Office (Ref: 626).

The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers is one of the UK's largest trade unions, with over 430,000 members working in retail, distribution, food processing and manufacturing, and other industries (sectors).

I hope you find the application package sufficiently informative in deciding whether you are the right person for this post.

The application closing date is noon on Monday, 5 March 2018. Please return your completed Application and Equal Opportunities forms to the Executive and Administration Officer, Usdaw, 188 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 6LJ, ensuring the appropriate postage is applied. The application form can also be emailed . If an acknowledgement of receipt of the application form is required, please telephone the HR Section on 0161 249 2457.

Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday, 11 April 2018.

I would be grateful if you could type or complete your application in blackink to enable clear photocopies to be taken. Care in completing the application form will enable us to give your application the consideration it deserves. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

Please note that it is not the Union's policy to give external candidates feedback after not being shortlisted for interview.

I look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN DUGGAN

Executive and Administration Officer

DEPUTY HEAD OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

CENTRAL OFFICE

(REF: 626)

  • Job Description.
  • Person Specification.
  • Principal Conditions of Service.
  • Equal Opportunities Form.
  • Application Form.

______

DEPUTY HEAD OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

CENTRAL OFFICE

(REF: 626)

Job Title:Deputy Head of Education and Training

Grade:Deputy Departmental Head

Responsible to:Head of Education and Training

Job Purpose:Under the general supervision of the Head of Education and Training:

  • To participate as part of a management team in the strategic direction and development of the work of the Education and Training Department to ensure the provision of a full and comprehensive education service for reps, members, officials and staff.
  • To assist in the management and development of the three teams within the Education Department, which consists of: Training Officers, Lifelong Learning Project Workers and clerical support.
  • To develop, prepare and conduct a variety of training programmes as required by Usdaw's National Training Programme.
  • To deputise for the Head of Education and Training in his/her absence as necessary.

Principal Accountabilities

The duties outlined below are not intended to be considered as an exhaustive list of duties but are simply to provide an indication of the main activities of the postholder:

  1. Assist in the management and development of all staff within the Education Department.
  1. Supervise the organisational, administrative and professional responsibilities of the Training Officers. This includes matters such as training policy, syllabus content, programme design and other aspects of their role and function.
  1. Oversee the Training Officers and their work.
  1. Develop original materials for Area Organiser courses and deliver training.
  1. Teach on a variety of training programmes for Usdaw's lay representatives and staff.
  1. Prepare original materials and run programmes for a variety of workshop and conference situations, including materials for the Usdaw Organising Academy.
  1. Provide input on a variety of ad hoc events including external seminars, etc.
  1. Work with others in preparing and maintaining a library of training resources.
  1. Work with Training Officers and other officers of the Union to maintain and improve the delivery of the training to Usdaw's lay representatives and officers.
  1. Work with Negotiating Officers to improve training agreements with employers.
  1. Liaise with organising staff on matters relating to the work of the Education Department.
  1. Liaise with external training providers including the TUC Education Service.
  1. Attend meetings organised by the TUC and similar bodies on training related matters.
  1. Represent the Union to organisations concerned with the provision of vocational training and lifelong learning, as appropriate.
  1. Promote and develop Usdaw's Home Study Programme, including online learning.
  1. In the absence of the Head of Education and Training, represent the department as and when necessary.
  1. In the absence of the Head of Education and Training,negotiate and organise National Training Programmes with major companies.

Planning and Organising

  1. Act at all times within the policies and procedures of the Union.
  1. Balance diverse types of work in response to fixed deadlines and to urgent and changing needs of senior officials, organising staff and lay members.
  1. Ensure consistent application of the Union's personnel procedures and best practice in the management and development of staff.
  1. Work largely unsupervised.

Additional and Special Features

There are no set hours for this position. The postholder will be expected to be adaptable and flexible to meet the needs of the job, which will include working away from Central Office and overnight stays.

The postholder must possess a valid driving licence and reside within 50 miles of Central Office.

Essential Internal and External Work Relationships

General Secretary

Deputy General Secretary

Executive and Administration Officer

Head of Education and Training

Training Officers

All staff of the Education and Training Department

National Officers

Divisional Officers

Central Office Departments

Union Officials

Union representatives

Union members

Executive Council Members

Related organisations in the Trade Union and Labour Movement

Education Providers

Employers

DEPUTY HEAD OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

CENTRAL OFFICE

(REF: 626)

Note to Applicants

The post requires you to have, or be capable of acquiring, the competencies listed in the boxes below. These cover job-specific and contextual knowledge, behaviours and skills.

The Application for Employment form has a section headed 'Supporting Statement', where you should tell us how you meet those competencies. It is not sufficient simply to repeat the words in the person specification: we expect you to give short, clear real-life examples to demonstrate your ability to do this job. Some of your examples may cover a number of competencies, so you do not need to repeat the details each time.

Your examples should tell us what was required, what you did, what the outcome was, and what you learned from the situation.

You may find it helpful to use sub-headings to address a single point or to group together a number of related points.

We know some of the competencies may be specific to Usdaw. Applicants without this specific information should demonstrate their competence from other experiences or situations, and explain how that is transferable to this job.

Please do not use more than three additional sides of A4 paper in addition to the Supporting Statement page. Where more than three additional sides are submitted, the application may not receive any further consideration. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be required to undertake further exercises for us to assess your competencies practically.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • A teaching qualification at an appropriate level (such as Certificate of Education) is desirable or the commitment and ability to work towards one.
  • A degree or relevant experience in the trade union field is essential.

JOB-SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE
  • An understanding of the principles and practice underpinning the trade union 'organising model'.
  • An understanding and experience of staff management, training and development.
  • Knowledge of the Union Learning Fund agenda.
  • Knowledge of trade union training provision, policies and practices.
  • An understanding of confidentiality.

CONTEXTUAL KNOWLEDGE
  • In-depth knowledge of the trade union and wider labour movement.
  • The Union's function, services and organisational structure.
  • The Union's policies and procedures.
  • A thorough understanding of the Balanced Scorecard and National Strategic Plan.
  • An understanding of data protection.
  • An understanding of the principles and practice surrounding Investors in People.

CORE BEHAVIOURS

  • Actively listens to and respects the views and feelings of others.
  • Communicates clear expectations of performance and behaviour.
  • Recognises and responds when people need help and support.
  • Is fair and even handed in the treatment of people and maintains a sense of balance and perspective.
  • Addresses breaches of performance and behaviour firmly and fairly.
  • Anticipates peaks and troughs in workload and allocates resources appropriately.
  • Applies managerial judgement and initiative appropriately and consistently.
  • Responds to change, is adaptable and flexible to the changing needs of the job and the Union.
  • Models appropriate standards of personal and professional conduct.
  • Has an awareness of the importance of providing an effective service to members and external agencies.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to equal opportunities practice.
  • Demonstrate a willingness to participate in training and development opportunities.
  • Demonstrate a willingness to respond to change and adapt to the changing needs of the Union.

CORE SKILLS
  • Ability to develop original training materials and resources for education sessions lasting from 5 hours to 50 hours contact time.
  • Ability to develop online bitesize learning content lasting from 10 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Use a variety of teaching methods (including participative student-centred methods and more formal lecturing methods) and equipment.
  • Recognise and respond to members' training needs, while being particularly sensitive to the barriers to participation. This would include the ability to maintain a supportive training environment that encourages wider participation.
  • Ability to build effective working relationships and to train, motivate, manage and develop individuals and teams.
  • Good presentation and advocacy skills.
  • Good IT literacy, particularly Microsoft Office and other specific software and databases.
  • Ability to suggest improvements to systems of working.
  • The ability to negotiate training agreements with a wide variety of people, including employers, suppliers and Union officers and officials.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
  • Ability to project manage and co-ordinate the work of others.
  • Ability to work unsupervised.

WORK-RELATED CIRCUMSTANCES
  • Adaptable, with a strong desire for high standards, fairness, consistency, integrity and confidentiality.
  • An ability and willingness to travel to any part of the UK and work outside of normal office hours, including overnight stays, which may be at short notice.
  • The successful applicant must hold a driving licence.

Usdaw offers generous conditions of service as detailed below:

Salary and Hours

This information is detailed on the advertisement.

Maternity Entitlement

All women members of staff are entitled to maternity leave on the following basis:

a)Women with less than 26 weeks' continuous service at the beginning of the 11th week prior to the expected week of childbirth will be eligible to take 52 weeks' maternity leave and to receive all contractual rights except remuneration.

They will qualify for maternity pay as follows:

First 6 weeks / 90% of normal pay or the equivalent of the basic rate of Statutory Maternity Pay/Maternity Allowance, whichever is the greatest.
Next 33 weeks / Basic rate for Statutory Maternity Pay/Maternity Allowance.
Remaining weeks / No Pay.

b)Women with more than 26 weeks' continuous service at the beginning of the 11th week prior to the Expected Week of Childbirth will be eligible to take 52 weeks' maternity leave and to receive all contractual rights except remuneration.

They will qualify for maternity pay as follows:

First 26 weeks / The normal salary inclusive of any Statutory Maternity Pay/Maternity Allowance.
Next 13 weeks / Basic rate for Statutory Maternity Pay/Maternity Allowance.
Remaining weeks / No Pay.

Paternity Leave

All staff, with the exception of women on maternity leave or staff on adoption leave, will be entitled to receive ten days' paid Paternity leave per confinement or adoption.

Shared Parental Leave

Mothers, fathers and partners of mothers, and adoptive parents who are notified of having been matched with a child, have the right to opt to take Shared Parental Leave (SPL) if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Holidays

The holiday entitlement is service related at the beginning of a holiday year. The Union's holiday year runs from
1 May to 30 April.

Completed Years
of Service / Entitlement
1 year / 24 days
2 years / 26 days
3 years / 28 days
4 years / 30 days
5 years / 32 days

For those employees working less than five days a week holidays are calculated on a pro rata basis.

Sick Pay Entitlements

  • At least one year's service at the commencement of a period of sickness will receive full wages/salary during sickness, subject to deductions, for a period of up to 52 weeks.
  • At least six months' service at the commencement of a period of sickness will receive during sickness full wages/salary, subject to deductions, for a period of up to 26 weeks.
  • Less than six months' service but have completed their probationary period will receive during sickness full wages/salary, subject to deductions, for a period of up to 13 weeks.

During their probationary period all employees will receive during sickness full wages/salary, subject to deductions, for a period of up to two working weeks.

Sick pay entitlement will be calculated on a pro rata basis for those employees working less than 34 hours per week.

Superannuation Scheme

Usdaw operates a final salary pension scheme called the Usdaw Staff Superannuation Fund ('The Fund').

Entry into the Fund is automatic on commencement of employment subject to the employee meeting the following criteria:

  • Aged between 18 and State Pension Age
  • Has annual earnings in excess of the prevailing Personal Allowance for Income Tax

If not eligible for automatic enrolment, the employee is able to opt into Fund membership if they wish.

Retirement

Staff can make a written application to the Executive and Administration Officer to retire from the age of 55.

Probationary Period

All employees, upon commencing employment with Usdaw, are required to undertake a minimum probationary period of six months.

Childcare Voucher Scheme

Usdaw has a childcare voucher salary sacrifice scheme, whereby staff can sign an agreement to convert part of their salary into childcare vouchers which can be used as full or part payment for childcare provision.

References

All conditional offers of appointment are subject to the Union being satisfied with two references. Both referees must be able to comment on work performance, particularly in relation to the person specification, eg current or previous employer, tutor, etc.

Applicants should note that members of the interviewing panel are disqualified from providing references for shortlisted candidates.

Medical

All conditional offers of appointment are subject to the Union being satisfied with a pre-employment medical questionnaire. This will be conducted by the Union's occupational health provider.

Requirements of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006

All conditional offers of employment are subject to the production of a document or documents on a statutory list that confirms eligibility to work in the UK.

Equal Opportunities Policy

Usdaw operates an equal opportunities policy and a copy is included in the application pack.

No Smoking Policy

Usdaw operates a No Smoking policy.

Investors in People

Usdaw is committed to the principles of Investors in People by continuing to develop its workforce and has been awarded Investors in People accreditation.

Jury Service

The procedure to be followed if a member of staff is called for jury service is set out in the Staff Handbook.

Social Media and Networking Policy

The Social Media and Networking Policy is as set out in the Staff Handbook.

This section of the application form will be detached from your application and will be used solely for monitoring purposes and will not be seen by the appointing panel.

Usdaw is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to treating all employees and job applicants with dignity and respect regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, marital status and civil partnership, disability, age or pregnancy and maternity. We therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Gender / M ☐ / F ☐ / Another Gender☐Identity / Prefer Not ☐
to Say
Age / 16-24 ☐ / 25-35 ☐ / 36-45 ☐ / 46-55 ☐ / 56 plus ☐

Ethnic Origin

Asian or Asian British
Indian☐
Pakistani☐
Bangladeshi☐
Other☐
(please specify) / Black or Black British
Caribbean☐
African☐
Other☐
(please specify) / Chinese/Other Ethnic Group
Chinese☐
Other☐
(please specify)
Mixed
White & Black☐
White & Black African☐
White & Asian☐
Other☐
(please specify) / White
British☐
Irish☐
Other☐
(please specify) / Other
(please specify)☐

Disability

The Union will make reasonable adjustments in respect of applicants with a disability.
The Equality Act defines disability as 'A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on the person's ability to carry out normal day-to- day activities'.
Do you consider yourself to have a disability? / YES ☐ NO ☐
If yes, please state nature of disability:
How did you become aware of this vacancy?
MEN☐ / Local Press☐ / Internal Notice☐ / The Guardian☐
Internet ☐ / Journal☐ / Word of Mouth☐
Other☐
(please specify):

REF: 626