Assistant General Secretary

The FDA prides itself on being a great place to work, with a strong collaborative team focused on advancing the interests of our members and supporting each other to achieve that. We work hard to maintain a working culture that gets the best from people who enjoy working for us. We offer a highly competitive remuneration package that includes a good salary, defined benefit pension scheme and opportunities for training and development.

We are not just any union. For more than a century we have been defending civil servants and the impartiality of the civil service. We live the values of our members - a commitment to public service through an impartial and professional civil service.

We are the only union that represents civil servants in every Government and Parliament of the UK. Strong, pragmatic advocates on behalf of our members, we seek to improve their working lives and play our part in improving the public services they deliver. We have always been non-party political, ensuring we can represent our members regardless of which party is in power.

That’s why through some of the most challenging times in our history we have grown by 60% over the last decade and by 6% during the last year alone. Our ambition is to sustain and accelerate that growth. To do so, we must remain relevant to our members and the challenges they face, and visible in our advocacy. This is no easy task. 

Does that sound like the sort of union you’d like to be part of? 

Your role

Based at the union’s headquarters at London Bridge, you will be one of two operational Assistant General Secretaries. The operational AGS roles are interchangeable, but the current focus of this role is the strategic lead for communications, organising, learning and pensions.  

This is a challenging role which requires you to think and lead strategically, developing areas of national policy as well as directly managing a team.

Together with the Head of Resources and the General Secretary, you will be part of a small senior management team responsible for the operational delivery of the union’s services, building its organisational capability and increasing its influence.

You will directly support the work of the union’s Executive Committee and substitute for the General Secretary as required. 

What we are looking for

This is a leadership role, requiring strong people-management skills and an ability to think and act strategically. You will be creative, seek out responsibility and be able to prioritise a demanding workload, as well as working collaboratively within a small organisation with limited resources.

In return, you’ll be given significant autonomy to help shape and lead a union whose members play a vital role in delivering public services.

The FDA offers a great package of terms and conditions including: 

• 31 days annual leave; 
• a high-quality defined benefit pension scheme; and
• opportunities 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.

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 Esther Farnese, via the button below. 

If you would like to discuss the role with a member of the senior management team before applying, please contact info@fda.org.uk.  

The closing date for receipt of applications (CVs and cover letter) is 10 February 2025.

Interviews will be held at head office in London Bridge on 24 February 2025.