Fórsa is a membership led union: we empower workers to change their lives at work. We build worker power by engaging every worker in the jobs and workplaces that we organise.
We are currently looking for energetic, motivated, and empathetic people with organising and campaigning skills to join our team as Assistant Industrial Officers.
Overview of the Role
As an Assistant Industrial Officer, you build Fórsa’s power and membership density by working with workplace representatives, lay leaders, and members to identify the issues that matter to workers in your assigned area.
You will work under the guidance of the Assistant General Secretary or Industrial Officer for your assigned area. You will also be part of a broader Divisional team comprising other Assistant Industrial Officers, Industrial Officers, Assistant General Secretaries, and Administrators, all led by the National Secretary/Head of Division.
You actively contribute to Fórsa’s positive and healthy workplace culture through supportive collaborative teamworking.
Working for Fórsa
As an employer, Fórsa is committed to modelling the values of our union: we provide excellent benefits including a career average pension scheme, competitive annual leave, hybrid work and other flexible work arrangements, and a range of financial and practical supports for professional development.
The initial salary for this position will be on the first point of the grade 5 public service scale: €51,210 | €52,739 | €54,301 | €55,895 | €57,501; and two Long Service Increments: LSI1 €59,373 | LSI2 €61,252. Entry above the first point is possible in certain circumstances (for example, your current salary is above the starting point).
Fórsa welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including diverse professional experience. You may have developed skills in the trade union, public, private, or non-profit sectors. A demonstrated commitment to the values of trade unionism, social justice, a strong public service, and workers’ empowerment is essential.
Fórsa does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital or family status, age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or membership in the Traveller community.
About Your Team
You report to the Assistant General Secretary or Industrial Officer for your assigned area. All employees within a division are accountable to their Head of Division as well as the General Secretary of the union
You will work closely with other Assistant Industrial Officers, administrative staff, as well as colleagues from other teams such as Membership and Communications
Key Responsibilities & Duties
Recruitment & Organising
Strengthen membership density and contribute to the union’s growth strategy by recruiting new members
Assist branch leadership with developing, implementing, and evaluating the outcomes of organising strategies and recruitment campaigns
Identify leaders and support them with organising activities such as issue-based organising
Support branch activists and workplace leaders and representatives with workplace mapping and mapping exercises of the relevant employment(s)/sector(s)
Promote greater membership participation in the affairs of the union
Assist in the coordination of member engagement activities, such as member meetings, activist training, surveys, events, workplace inductions (to name just a few)
Assist branch activists and workplace leaders/representatives to ensure members’ data is up-to-date, and members receive regular communication
Use the membership database system (Solas) for organising and communication, and assist with updating records
Assist with preparing reports, submissions, and other relevant documentation as required
Negotiation, Representation, & Advocacy
Provide advice to members (under the guidance or direction of the Industrial Officer or Assistant General Secretary and in liaison with the relevant branch as necessary)
Conduct straightforward IR meetings, representing members with management through workplace negotiations and advocacy (under the guidance or direction of the IO/AGS and in liaison with the relevant branch as necessary)
Develop your understanding of collective agreements, legislation, and other rights and conditions relevant to the assignment
Management and Projects
Provide regular formal and informal updates and recommendations for your assigned area
Contribute to union projects, campaigns, and initiatives, including Fórsa's five-year strategic plan
Any other reasonable tasks and duties relevant to the role.
Travel
Frequent travel to work locations and Fórsa offices throughout Ireland is an essential part of the role (anticipate 10-20 overnights per year). The majority of assignments require the use of a car. You will need to hold a valid, full driving license and have access to a car while working as an Assistant Industrial Organiser. Travel and Subsistence payments are made within the Civil Service rates and conditions.
Location
Fórsa has offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo. While most of the Assistant Industrial Officer positions are based in Dublin, there will be a number of appointments arising from this competition, some of which may be based in regional offices.
About You
Essential Skills
Communication
You have well-developed active listening skills
You write and speak effectively and persuasively
You are empathetic and can work with and support people experiencing challenging situations
You are able to establish rapport with people from a variety of backgrounds
Organising
You have experience organising workers, community, or civic group and working on campaigns
You are good at identifying, developing, and empowering leaders
Leadership and Team Working
You have demonstrated initiative and motivation
You are a teamworker whose flexibility, creativity, and support can be relied on by colleagues
Negotiation and Advocacy
You have well-developed negotiation and advocacy skills
You are interested in economic and social issues affecting working people in Ireland, and have demonstrated commitment to trade unionism or social justice through past work or community engagement
Planning and Administration
You have developed and demonstrated organisational, time management, and IT skills to help you accomplish your ambitious goals
It would be nice, but not necessary, if you
Have held an official leadership role (either paid or voluntary) in an organising and campaigning organisation
Have experience and understanding of trade unions or other relevant membership based organisations
Have an understanding of industrial relations and representation
Have a relevant third level qualification
To Apply
Submit your cv and a brief cover letter addressed to Kevin Callinan, General Secretary via this form by 12 noon on 7 May.
Applicants who progress to the next stage of the selection process will be invited to a half-day assessment exercise (consisting of both written and group activities) held the week commencing 19 May.
Individual interviews for candidates who progress from the assessment exercise will be held the week commencing 16 June.
Questions?
Email hr@forsa.ie. Please note that applications cannot be accepted via email; any cv's or other documents submitted by email will be deleted.