4456/LP/NC

2 January 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 Senior Assistant,Tesco Support Team, Research and Economic Department – Central Office (Ref: 619).

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 Tuesday, 16 January 2018. Please return your completed Application and Equal Opportunities forms to the HR Section, Usdaw,
188 Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 6LJ, ensuring the appropriate postage is applied. The application form can also be emailed to . 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 Monday, 29 January 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

SENIOR ASSISTANT – TESCO SUPPORT TEAM –

RESEARCH AND ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT

CENTRAL OFFICE

(REF:619)

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

______

SENIOR ASSISTANT – TESCO SUPPORT TEAM –

RESEARCH AND ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT

CENTRAL OFFICE

(REF:619)

Job Title:Senior Assistant

Grade:2

Responsible to:Head of Research and Economics

Job Purpose:To provide full secretarial and administrative support to the Tesco National Officers and Tesco Support Team.

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. Provide skilled secretarial support to the Tesco National Officers and other support staff working on Tesco issues within the Research and Economics Department.
  1. Format and word process all correspondence, communications, briefings and all other Tesco materials as required and input data to excel spreadsheets.
  1. Work under the day-to-day direction of the Research Team Leader (Tesco Support Team) to organise and maintain the general administration, hard copy filing and diary keeping needs of the Tesco National Officers and other members of the Tesco Support Team.
  1. Administer arrangements for Tesco related appointments and meetings within Central Office and other Usdaw premises.
  1. Organise travel and accommodation requirements for the Tesco National Officers and other Research and Economics Department staff as required on Tesco work outside Central Office.
  1. Access, evaluate and direct all incoming correspondence, emails and messages appropriately and facilitate responses.
  1. Act as a first point of contact for a wide range of incoming telephone calls and screen, respond and redirect accordingly.
  1. Work with relevant others inside the Research and Economics Department and across Central Office as a whole to ensure outgoing communications and materials are despatched appropriately.
  1. Deal with basic enquiries and information needs appropriately.
  1. Maintain and update relevant databases covering the Tesco membership, Tesco activists, Tesco officers and Tesco company contacts.
  1. Act as a facilitator for Tesco activists, officers and company representatives visiting Central Office, guiding them to meeting rooms and other appropriate facilities as necessary.
  1. Perform any other duties in the Research and Economics Department as required.
Planning and Organising
  1. A proportion of the role is reactive in response to the requirements of the Tesco National Officers and relevant staff in the Research and Economics Department.
  1. The postholder can also plan on a day-to-day basis, with opportunities to plan ahead for regular cycles of events around Tesco work and priorities (eg annual Tesco pay review, National Forum meetings, etc).
  1. The postholder will be required to be flexible and may be required to work outside normal office hours on occasions, sometimes on short notice.
Essential Work Relationships

Head of Research and Economics

Deputy Head of Research and Economics

Tesco Support Team

Tesco National Officers

Tesco Officers in Divisions

All Members of Staff of the Department

Other Central Office Departments

Union members

SENIOR ASSISTANT – TESCO SUPPORT TEAM –

RESEARCH AND ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT

CENTRAL OFFICE

(REF:619)

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.

JOB-SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE
  • An understanding of the Tesco/Usdaw relationship and its importance to Usdaw.
  • Experience of working with people with industrial relations or human resources responsibilities.

CONTEXTUAL KNOWLEDGE
  • Knowledge of the Union's function, services and organisational structure.
  • Knowledge of the Trade Union Movement.
  • Knowledge of data protection.

CORE BEHAVIOURS

  • Actively listens to and respects the views and feelings of others and works harmoniously with individual colleagues and small teams.
  • Has tact, initiative and discretion when handling personal and sensitive information.
  • Has an awareness of the importance of providing an effective service to members and external agencies.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to equal opportunities practice.
  • Has a methodical approach with close attention to detail.
  • Makes sound judgements and know when to refer more complex queries.
  • Responds to change, is adaptable and flexible to the changing needs of the job and the Union, and has a proactive approach to training and development opportunities to meet the demands of the job.

CORE SKILLS
  • The ability to communicate effectively with officials, staff, members and employers.
  • The ability to prioritise work, meet deadlines and have well-developed planning and organisational skills.
  • An ability to understand and collate information, produce letters, basic reports and statistical data.

IT literacy, particularly Microsoft Office and Excel.

  • Audio and copy typing.
  • The ability to suggest improvements to systems of working.
  • An ability to work with only some supervision.

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 619_SA –Tesco Support Team _CO

Jan 18

Are you employed by the Union? / YES☐NO☐
Are you carrying out work for the Union through an agency? / YES☐NO☐

Convictions

Do you have any unspent convictions? / YES☐NO☐
If yes, please give details below. Spent convictions do not have to be declared as the job is not one that is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Please see for further details.
We will not discriminate against ex-offenders. If you have previous convictions this will not automatically prevent you from getting the job. We will consider how previous convictions could affect the job you are applying for. The information you provide will be kept confidential.
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge the information given on this form is true and correct. I understand that if I deliberately omit or give false/misleading information I will be immediately disqualified from the selection process, or be subject to disciplinary action, if already in employment.
Signed:
Date:

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY

The Union is committed to policies and actions to ensure that its staff are not discriminated against on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, marital status and civil partnership, disability, age or pregnancy and maternity.

The Union embraces and is committed to implementing all anti-discrimination legislation and aims to ensure its compliance in all aspects of its work as an employer.

These principles will apply in respect of all terms and conditions of employment, including pay, hours of work, holiday entitlement, overtime and shift work, work allocation, guaranteed earnings, sick pay, pensions, recruitment, training, promotion and redundancy.

Policy Statement:

The Union is committed to:

  • Developing policies to promote equality of opportunity in employment.
  • Assisting in creating a productive, safe and discrimination-free work environment where all staff are treated fairly and with respect.
  • Demonstrating and promoting a commitment to equality issues by preventing and challenging discrimination and valuing diversity.
  • Developing stronger internal and external communications on all aspects of Union business but specifically equality issues and ensuring that staff views are listened to and responded to.
  • Improving the motivation, performance, skills and morale of all staff.

All staff will be made fully aware of this policy and must adhere to its requirements. Any staff member who feels that they have grounds for complaint in relation to bullying, discrimination, harassment or victimisation has the right to pursue their complaint through the Union's Grievance Procedure or Harassment and Bullying Procedure.

All complaints relating to alleged breaches of the Union's Equal Opportunities Policy will be investigated. Any such complaints which are upheld may lead to appropriate disciplinary action being invoked against any member of staff of the Union.

The Union and relevant staff representative bodies agree that they will revise, from time to time, through their joint machinery, the operation of this Equal Opportunities Policy.