Responsible to: Assistant General Secretary

Hours: 35 hours per week to be worked flexibly

Salary range: £53k – 67k

Pension: Good quality defined benefit career average pension scheme

Location: The role is based at the FDA Head Office in central London with hybrid working provision, but there is a clear expectation for national officers to attend the FDA HQ in London Bridge on a regular basis and to undertake face to face meetings and work with members, branches and employers that can be in a range of locations (but predominantly in London).

We are looking to recruit a National Officer.

For over a century the FDA has been a strong, pragmatic trade union representing public sector leaders and professionals working in the civil service and parliaments across the UK. The FDA is not party-political and seeks to improve members’ working lives and the public services they deliver through negotiating and campaigning. We act as a powerful voice for public services and the people who deliver them, with an influential membership of more than 22,000 senior managers, policy advisors, diplomats, tax professionals, economists, solicitors, prosecutors and other professionals working across government and the NHS.

Your role

The National Officer’s primary responsibilities will be representation, negotiation and organising in their allocated pitches. A more detailed summary of the key responsibilities of the role together with an outline of the skills, experience and personal qualities that we are seeking for this position are set out in the job description and person specification.

What we are looking for

This is a challenging role which requires you to think and lead strategically but also deliver operationally. The FDA is the fastest growing union in the UK. We pride ourselves on providing excellence in individual member representation; a pragmatic voice in both central and local negotiations; a strong voice defending the impartiality, integrity and professionalism of civil servants; and providing career development and support for members. Each national officer has a balanced pitch made up of a number of employers and/or specialist areas. The National Officer will have a significant degree of autonomy in their pitches and will be responsible for representation, negotiation, working with lay reps and organising in their pitches.

The post is based at the FDA Head Office in London. The role does, on occasion, involve some travel throughout the UK.

The FDA offers a good package of terms and conditions including 31 days annual leave and a high quality defined benefit pension scheme. You’ll be part of the FDA’s team of national officers, with the opportunity to enhance your skills and experience with tailored development and support.

The FDA is committed to equality of opportunity and treatment both in the service it provides to its members and as an employer.

Prior experience as a national official is not essential, although all applicants will need to demonstrate a successful track record in their field of related expertise. The national officer salary range is £53k–67k – the starting salary will be dependent on experience.

To apply

To apply, candidates should submit a curriculum vitae together with a cover letter of no more than 750 words, outlining why your skills, experience and motivation make you the right person for the job. Submit your CV and cover letter by email, for the attention of (FAO) Esther Farnese, to info@fda.org.uk.

Closing date for receipt of CV’s and cover letter is: 5pm on 29 February 2024

Interviews will be held on: 14 March 2024 at our offices

• Job description and Person specification