About this job

In addition to the range of duties set out in the generic JD, the post holder will operate as the Head of Trade Union Education and Campaigns, including UNISON College NI’s union Learning and Organising Strategy. The post holder will be responsible to the Regional Secretary and will be a member of the Regional Management Team.

The post holder will have overall responsibility for developing and leading UNISON NI’s learning and campaigning strategy and will play a major role in developing workforce training and learning strategies with Government and arms length bodies.

The post holder will play a full role on behalf of UNISON in the appropriate structures of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and with designated external bodies, including international bodies and forums, in furtherance of UNISON’s key objectives and priorities.

The post holder will additionally play a lead role:

• Progressing equality and human rights both within UNISON NI and externally, including integrating UNISON’s activism and political education programme as a core pillar of UNISON College NI.
• Integrating trade union education and campaigning initiatives with organising, bargaining and policy.
• Developing and implementing UNISON’s communications, campaigning and digital organising strategies.
• Contributing to the delivery of UNISON’s Regional Plan and National Objectives as part of the Regional Management Team.
• Managing and developing multi-disciplinary teams to meet UNISON’s strategic objectives of growth and organising
• Planning activities across the region to ensure effective campaigning and delivery of key services to branches and members
• Representing UNISON’s aims and objectives to a range of organisations and individuals, employers, and the media.

The Person 

• Will have a proven track record in trade union education, linked to strategic campaigning and communication strategies, including interventions at senior level, with Government Ministers, Government Departments and public and private sector CEOs.
• Will have a sound knowledge of the political situation in Northern Ireland including knowledge of the Peace Agreement and its commitments.
• Will demonstrate strong leadership skills obtained within a unionised environment which include the ability to manage.
• Will be able to inspire members, activists and teams of staff to pursue UNISON goals.
• Will have demonstrable financial management skills, including the ability to deliver programmes of activities to budget.
• Will be an able public speaker with strong oral and written communications skills.
• Will have well developed negotiating skill

How to apply

To apply for this opportunity please download and complete the General application form (under “Documents”). See job description and person specification (under “Documents”).

Please note that only the General application form will be accepted.  Applications should be based on the person specification with examples, bearing in mind the job brief. 

The completed application form along with the Recruitment and Disability Monitoring Form should be sent by email to hrrecruitment@unison.co.uk quoting the correct ref:  R5/5 

Please save your documents as your full name, post, reference number 

Completed application forms must be received by no later than

12.00 Noon, 6th January 2026 

This recruitment will also involve a media test which will be conducted via Microsoft Teams and forms part of the selection process, which is currently due to take place on Monday 19th January 2026. Please keep this in mind. 

In-person panel interviews will take place on the Tuesday 20th January 2026 and will be held at the UNISON Regional Centre, Galway House, 165 York Street, Belfast .  

The Northern Ireland Region has over 53,000 members working primarily in health, social care, education and the community & voluntary sectors

UNISON is committed to equality of opportunity. Applicants will be treated equally regardless of gender, marital status, disability, age, sexual orientation, race, religious belief, political opinion and whether or not they have dependents.

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.