Job Description
UNISON is Britain’s leading public sector trade union, with more than 1.3 million members working in the public services, private, voluntary and community sectors and in the energy services. We employ 1,200 staff, including approximately 370 at our national centre in Euston, central London and the remainder in our 12 regions across the UK, in Northern Ireland.
About this Job
We are looking for an experienced HR Policy Officer to play a key role in shaping, reviewing, and maintaining our HR policy framework in a complex, unionised environment.
The role
This role combines a major, organisation-wide policy review project with an ongoing responsibility for keeping HR policies, the staff handbook, and associated contractual terms up to date, legally compliant, and fit for purpose. You will ensure our policies are clear, consistent, and reflective of our values, while standing up to legal and contractual scrutiny.
Working closely with HR colleagues, senior stakeholders, and internal trade unions, you will lead on drafting and revising policies, advising on employment law implications, and supporting effective implementation across the organisation.
About you
You will be an experienced HR or policy professional with strong technical expertise and application of UK employment law and a proven ability to apply this in practice through robust HR policies, handbooks, and contractual documentation.
You are confident operating in a unionised setting, with experience of consultation and negotiation, and you are skilled at translating complex legal and policy issues into clear, practical guidance. You will bring excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, a collaborative approach, and a strong commitment to fairness, equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to take real ownership of an organisation’s HR policy framework, influencing how employment practice is shaped and applied in practice, and supporting a positive, fair, and legally robust workplace culture.
For full details, please download the job description and person specification.
How to Apply
To apply for this opportunity, please download and complete the General application form referring to the job description and person specification (both under “Documents” on the UNISON jobs page).
Please note that only the General application form will be accepted. CVs will not be accepted.
The completed application form along with the Recruitment and Disability Monitoring Form should be returned by e-mail to HR Recruitment return email quoting reference: ORD/144 on your application form.
Please save your documents as your full name, job, department and job reference.
Closing date for applications is 5 pm on Friday 20 February 2026.
The interviews will be held on the week commencing March 09 2026 in the UNISON Centre Euston, London.
UNISON is a dynamic, progressive union, committed to equality. We encourage men and women of all ages, Black and minority ethnic groups, disabled people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to work with us.