University and College Union

University and College Union have a new opportunity for Policy Support Official to join the team. Location: Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH Salary: £65,151 inclusive of London Allowance Hours: 35 per week Contract: Permanent and full time Closing Date: Friday 22 May 2026 at 10.00 am About Us: The University and College Union (UCU) represents over 120,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and training organisations across the UK. 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. Policy Support Official The role: UCU is seeking a Policy Support Official to join the team on a Permanent and full time basis. In this exciting role, based in our head office in Carlow Street, London NW1 7LH and reporting to the Head of Policy your main duties will be: - To contribute to the work of the Policy team by applying knowledge in the delivery of the union s workplace focused and industrial objectives across post-16 education - To act as secretary to, and manage the business for, one or more named UCU committees - To prepare advice and guidance, policy and other consultation responses, reports, briefing papers, advice, articles for publication and other materials - To produce accessible research in support of the union s policy and collective bargaining objectives to promote the union s case to a wider audience, including politicians, policy makers and the media - To be responsible for the collection and analysis of source material related to policy and provision of authoritative advice, working with other members of the team and liaising with colleagues in other teams as required Policy Support Official You: - Knowledge and understanding of how trade unions operate, and how the views of their members are incorporated into this work. - Experience of working with members and their representatives, committees, branches or similar experience in a membership organisation. - Knowledge and understanding of employment law and equality legislation and employment practices (e.g. pay systems, job evaluation). - Knowledge and understanding of employment issues in higher and further education. - Knowledge of research methods and techniques. Benefits of working for the University and College Union: We offer a number of financial and welfare benefits to support our employees, highlights include: - Supportive Family Policies: Embrace family life with enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity, and Shared Parental Leave schemes - Health and Well-being Support: Access to confidential counselling 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme; advice and face-to-face intervention from via our Physiotherapy Advice Line; healthcare assessment - Flexible Working: Take advantage of our Flexitime scheme, allowing you to tailor your work hours within our Work Life Balance policy - Financial Assistance: Benefit from being enrolled in the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), childcare support, interest-free season ticket loans, and assistance with the cost of eyesight testing and glasses for DSE use - Training and Development: Elevate your skills with tailored training, developmental support, and access to live and on demand courses available through our online training platform UCU requires its employees to work from their office/in the field for at least 60% of their working week. They may apply to work from home for the remaining 40% but UCU cannot guarantee that this will be agreed. 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. 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 see the advert on our website for further details Closing date for applications: Friday 22 May 2026 at 10 am. Interview date: Monday 15 June 2026 To submit your application for this exciting Policy Support Official opportunity, please click Apply now!