Work for us

The University and College Union (UCU) is the largest trade union and professional association for lecturers, learning support staff, academic related staff, trainers, researchers and managers working in further & higher education in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our 110,000 members are employed mainly in colleges, universities and in adult, prison and land-based education. We also have members in the private sector, for example in private training agencies and language schools, as well as members working on a freelance basis. Students training to teach in post-school education also belong to UCU.

Current vacancies

• Regional Support Official - South Western Region

Regional support Official - South Western Region

Reference Number: RSO3
Salary: £61,899 pa
Hours: 35 hours pw
Contract:  Permanent
Location: Exeter
Closing date: 24 September at 10.00am

About the role

The Bargaining, Organising, Representation & Operations department, at UCU, is seeking a Regional Support Official to join the South West Region team, based in Exeter. Reporting to the Regional Official, you will ensure the consistent implementation of UCU's bargaining, campaigning and organising objectives. Other duties will include:

• assisting with securing and maintaining recognition of UCU in the designated area
• conducting and supporting negotiations with employing institutions in accordance with nationally and locally agreed bargaining objectives
• contributing to the organisation and effective delivery of regional training in accordance with the national training programme
• engaging in and organising regional and local campaigning activities in accordance with national/regional campaigning objectives
• deputising for the Regional Official as necessary.

The ideal candidate must be educated to GCSE level (inc. maths & English) or equivalent. The post would suit someone with experience of a similar working environment and/or understanding of working for a trade union or other not-for-profit organisation. You will need a good knowledge of the post-compulsory education sector; a working knowledge and understanding of employment law, as well as trade union organising experience. With excellent interpersonal skills, you will be able to advocate on behalf of members and represent individuals in disciplinary and grievance cases. You will be required to travel across the region.

Further information
We welcome applications from any candidate but are particularly keen to receive applications from women and Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, who are currently underrepresented at this grade in UCU. If this is you, and you are interested in the post, we invite you to join an online briefing about the post and what it's like to work at the union, at 1pm to 2pm on Monday 16 September, which will also be an opportunity to ask the recruiting manager questions. If you'd like to attend the briefing, please email recruitment@ucu.org.uk no later than 12 noon on Friday 13 September. You do not need to attend the briefing session to apply.

To apply, please download an application pack below or email recruitment@ucu.org.uk quoting job reference RSO3:

Job application pack: RSO South West region; RSO3; Sept24 [294kb]

Closing date for applications: 24 September 2024 at 10.00am

Interview date: 16 October 2024

Returning your application

Please note that applicants should apply using the application form and CVs will not be considered. Completed application forms must be received by us by 10am on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered. Applications to be emailed to recruitment@ucu.org.uk

We are happy to accept applications in alternative formats from applicants who, for reasons of disability, may find it difficult to fill in our standard form. Please contact the People and Development Team by e-mail at recruitment@ucu.org.uk or telephone 020 7756 2558 for further details.

Diversity & inclusion monitoring

We need your support to make sure our employees come from a variety of backgrounds, so we especially welcome applications from disadvantaged communities. Even if you are not selected, it would be really helpful if you could complete the diversity & inclusion data when you apply for this role, because we can make sure we are encouraging a diverse mixture of candidates to apply. Thank you very much.

Equal opportunities

UCU is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Benefits of working for the University and College Union

Benefits to support your well-being:

• generous holiday entitlement of 35 days' annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, and 8 closure days with a pro-rata entitlement for part time staff
• disability leave arrangements
• special leave arrangements
• a range of family friendly policies and procedures with enhanced maternity, adoption, paternity and shared parental leave schemes
• an Employee Assistance Programme that provides access to 24-hour confidential counselling
• access to advice and face-to-face intervention from a senior chartered physiotherapist through the award-winning Physiotherapy Advice Line service
• flexitime scheme available by agreement where employees can vary their start and finish times or lunch breaks within the set parameters of the work-life balance policy.

Benefits to support you financially:

• all employees are contractually enrolled into the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) where currently the employee contribution is approximately 6.1% of salary and the employer contribution is approximately 14.5% of salary
• we will pay 50% of the net cost of childcare provision for children. The scheme is currently available to employees up to and including Grade G
• interest free season ticket loans to cover the cost of a second-class season ticket between home and the office
• UCU will assist with the cost of an eyesight test and the purchase of a basic pair of glasses, where these are required for DSE use.

Benefits to support your training and development:

• training and developmental support
• access to over 300 eLearning modules through UCU's online training room.