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 recruiting experienced, adaptable, and innovative people to create a panel for permanent Assistant General Secretary appointments.

Overview of the Role

As an Assistant General Secretary, you are a senior member of the organisation.

You provide strategic leadership and support colleagues, workplace representatives, and lay leaders to organise branches and members within an assigned area (typically encompassing several employments).

You advance union-wide and broader social campaigning objectives within your assigned area, and you contribute to (or lead) union-wide projects and initiatives.

You actively contribute to Fórsa’s positive and healthy workplace culture through collaborative and supportive leadership and 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 a nine-point AGS scale: €80,967 | €81,689 | €84,866 |  €88,063 | €91,266 | €94,435 | €97,624; and two long service increments: €101,240 (LSI1) | €107,004 (LSI2)

Entry above the first point is possible in certain circumstances.

Fórsa welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, including diverse professional experience. You may have developed a strong skillset and ability to deliver on strategic plans in the trade union, public, private, or non-profit sectors. A demonstrated commitment to the values of 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 your Head of Division, or another National Secretary depending on your assignment; all staff are accountable to the General Secretary
• Depending on your exact assignment, you may lead a team including Industrial Officers, Assistant Industrial Officers, and Administrators

Key Responsibilities & Duties

Organising and Member Support

• Build and maintain strong workplace union structures
• Engage with workers to identify organic leaders and the best approaches to activating them
• Ensure effective mapping of workplaces
• Identify and develop workplace representatives
• Collaborate with colleagues in Membership Training and Development to empower leaders and workplace representatives in your assigned area through training, as well as deliver training to members across all areas of Fórsa
• Support branches and lay leaders in the recruitment of members and training of members and activists through relevant workplace disputes
• Ensure high levels of union and branch organisation by making sure issues are on the table in every workplace where Fórsa is present
• Advise, inform, and support branches and other organisational groups on matters relevant to members and workers
• Organise and establish recognition of new workplaces as and when appropriate
• Be a visible, recognisable presence for members in workplaces and at branch meetings and events
• Work with colleagues in the Membership Team to ensure that essential member data is complete, accurate, and up-to-date
• Collaborate with colleagues in Member Communications to contribute to and carry out relevant and engaging communication strategies, celebrate workplace wins, and promote the visibility of Fórsa in the workplace

Industrial Relations

• Negotiate on behalf of the union on all matters - including pay and conditions of service - relating to your assigned area
• Develop deep knowledge of the social, economic, political, and industrial forces affecting workers within your assigned area; brief union leadership on emergent issues
• Ensure there are structures in place to represent members in cases involving grievances, disciplinary action, harassment and bullying, both where there is statutory and non-statutory redress
• Establish effective working relationships with senior personnel on the employer side
• Directly represent members in complex or higher risk cases,
• Prepare and present submissions to third party fora (such as the Workplace Relations Commission, the Labour Court, Adjudication Officers) in relation to industrial relations and employment law matters

Management and Projects

• Provide regular support and constructive feedback to colleagues, lay leaders, and members of your team
• Depending on your assignment, lead and guide a team including active participation in goal-setting and team members’ development plans
• Propose and 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

Regular travel within Ireland is an expected part of the role. Most assignments require the use of a car; you will, ideally, have access to a car and a full driving license. Travel and Subsistence payments are made within the Civil Service rates and conditions.

Hours

This is a full-time, permanent position. You are expected to be available during normal office hours. Due to the nature of trade union work, work outside of normal office hours and over weekends will arise. Overtime and formal time off in lieu do not apply – you have the discretion and autonomy to manage your working hours and commitments to ensure that they remain within legal, normal, and healthy boundaries.

Location

Fórsa has offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Sligo. Most positions are based in Dublin, but openings in other areas may emerge over the duration of the panel.

About You

• You have a significant record of leadership and accomplishment in organising workers or other groups on a large scale
• You are a seasoned negotiator, with experience and expertise in negotiating and representing groups and individuals where collective and individual rights have potential conflicts
• You have demonstrated collaborative leadership skills and a track record of developing, coaching, and mentoring others
• You have up-to-date knowledge of employment law and labour relations and experience of using that knowledge to benefit workers
• You are empathetic, establish rapport with people from a variety of backgrounds, and can work with people who are experiencing challenging situations
• You write and speak effectively and persuasively
• You are capable and confident speaking in front of large groups or to the media
• You are an even better listener
• You are interested in the economic and social issues affecting working people in Ireland, and most likely have demonstrated this through engaging in your community
• You have a track record of initiative and motivation and the organisational, time management, and IT skills to help you accomplish your ambitious goals
• You have permission to live and work in Ireland

It would be nice, but not necessary, if you

• Have knowledge of the operations and structures of public sector bodies: for example, the civil service, local authorities, the health sector, state companies and/or voluntary bodes and their role in delivering services to the public
• Understand government financial and funding arrangements for the public and voluntary sectors
• Have a relevant third level qualification