National Representative - Temporary Position covering a 12-month maternity leave

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is a family of 13 Component unions. Taken together, NUPGE is one of the largest unions in Canada. Most of its 450,000 members work to deliver public services of every kind to the citizens of their home provinces. NUPGE also has a large and growing number of members who work in the private sector.

Our union’s mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good.

We are seeking an individual with labour union experience or strong understanding of the labour movement to fill the position of National Representative. This is a temporary position to cover a 12-month maternity leave.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the successful candidate will have broad responsibilities for monitoring and analyzing public services, policy, as well as economic, social and community issues, and supporting the development, articulation, and advancement of NUPGE positions and initiatives on these fronts.

Current priority areas for this role at NUPGE include: post-secondary education, child care, climate change, labour rights, collective bargaining and legal matters, as well as international solidarity. The successful candidate will also have strong interest in legislative advocacy, including federal government and parliamentary relations.

The National Representative will have responsibility for undertaking research and advocacy related to the threats posed by underfunding of public services, inadequate policies and decreased commitment to the common good at the provincial and federal government levels.

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate and develop expertise across these areas to guide the work of the union.

The National Representative will work with committees and working groups of members, staff, and elected representatives of the provincial unions which are components of NUPGE. This includes organizing meetings and facilitating or providing support to the chair, as well as supporting the work of the committees and working groups.

The National Representative will also be responsible for briefing the NUPGE officers, preparing briefs, reports, letters, and policy papers, developing educational materials, representing NUPGE in coalitions, affiliated organizations, and public fora such as conferences, education sessions, occasionally dealing with media, engaging in government relations/political action, and collaborating on NUPGE campaigns.

Qualifications for the job:

• a university degree or proven equivalent research and policy analysis experience;
• sound knowledge of the labour movement, workers’ issues and the role of unions in our workplaces and communities;
• demonstrated understanding of social policy and public service issues;
• knowledge of the social policy process and of the part played by the labour movement in that process;
• proven research and writing skills;
• ability to communicate analysis and issues clearly, in writing and verbally, to a wide range of audiences, including public officials and policy-makers, civil society, union activists and members, and the broader public;
• ability to produce clear written work on complex issues, to meet deadlines and to work cooperatively with colleagues;
• ability to work as part of a team in a small workplace;
• ability to travel.

The following will be considered assets:

• a graduate-level degree in economics or the social sciences, or significant research and policy analysis experience
• a publication record which demonstrates a similar high level of knowledge and expertise
• experience as a researcher/analyst in a union and/or a social policy organization
• knowledge of techniques or quantitative analysis
• the ability to work in both English and French

Salary:

Salary and benefits package in accordance with the Collective Agreement between the National Union of Public and General Employees and IAM 1922. The starting salary is $120,684.68 and increases to $123,707.70 after the probationary period.

Location:

This role is based in the Ottawa, Ontario area and involves some domestic and international travel.

To learn more about this impactful opportunity with NUPGE, please submit a comprehensive resume along with a cover letter in confidence to NUPGEHiring@nupge.ca by 5 p.m., Thursday, June 25.

NUPGE is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, and strongly encourages applications from women, members of Indigenous, Black, and people of colour communities; Two-Spirit, non-binary, trans, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people; people with disabilities; and members of other equity-deserving groups.

NUPGE is committed to an inclusive, accessible and welcoming hiring process that provides reasonable accommodation to all applicants. Please advise us at NUPGEHiring@nupge.ca should you require any accommodation to participate in the recruitment and assessment processes.

All qualified candidates are welcome to apply; however, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.