About this job
The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in one-to-one communication, practical problem-solving, persuasion, perseverance, and self-motivation. While previous experience as a recruiter, organiser, or campaigner within a trade union or community organisation is desirable, transferrable skills are also highly valued. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of our union’s values and objectives.
The South East Region aims to represent and reflect the entire public sector in the South East, we support and encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including those from Black, Asian and non-white backgrounds. This ensures our union truly reflects our members, the community, and public sector workers, reaching those who need us most. In UNISON, ‘Black’ – with a capital B – is used to indicate people with a shared history. ‘Black’ is used in a broad political and inclusive sense to describe people in the UK who have suffered from colonialism and enslavement in the past and continue to experience racism and diminished opportunities in today’s society. This includes people of African, Caribbean, Asian, Arab, and other heritage.
The successful candidates will need to be good at prioritising multiple tasks be and flexible in their approach. Reaching members in some public services can be challenging during “office hours” so the successful candidates may be required to work in the evening, early mornings and occasionally at weekends. UNISON has a range of policies to support a healthy work/life balance.
This is a field-based role and whilst we aim to allocate work to reduce travel time, you will need to be able to travel in and around the South East Region as required, including to our Woking Office where our organisers are based, and occasionally to London for training, meetings, or other purposes.
If you want to find out more, why not come along to either of our online drop-in session to find out about the role and hear what a typical day looks like in the life of a UNISON Organiser using the links below to sign up:
- Thursday 23 rd April | 17:30 – 18:30 | online via Microsoft Teams
Work For UNISON South East: Session One
- Monday 11 th May | 17:00 – 18:00 | online via Microsoft Teams
Work for UNISON South East: Session Two
If you can’t make it, don’t worry, you don’t need to attend one of these sessions to apply. Please note attendance does not guarantee an interview or job, but we provide advice and support.
How to apply
To apply for this opportunity, please download and complete the Area and Local organiser application form referring to the job description and person specification (both under “Documents”)
Please note that only the relevant application form will be accepted.
CVs will not be accepted.
The completed application form along with the Recruitment and Disability Monitoring Form should be returned by e-mail to Southeastapplication@unison.co.uk quoting reference: R9/85, R9/86, R9/97, R9/98, R9/99, R9/101, R9/103 on your application form.
Please save your documents starting with your full name in the document name.
The closing date for completed applications is 12pm on Monday 18th May 2026.
Interviews will be held on 2nd, 3rd & 4th June in Woking
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.