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- Tasks: Lead regional efforts to empower nursing members and inspire workplace activism.
- Company: Join the RCN, a trade union representing over 500,000 nursing professionals dedicated to improving healthcare.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, up to 32 days annual leave, and an award-winning wellbeing programme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing your skills in a supportive, diverse environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in community engagement or trade unions, with strong organisational and communication skills required.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 40700 - 46300 £ per year.
Trade Union - Up to two locations available with hybrid working.
Salary range: £47,745 - £53,934 per annum plus outer London weighting of £2,547 per annum.
Contract type: Permanent
Ref: RCN026932
Hours:
- 17.5 hours - West Midlands RCN office, Birmingham
- 17.5 hours - Eastern RCN office, Bury St Edmunds
About Us:
There is more to the RCN than you might think. We’re a trade union with a membership of over 500,000 nurses, midwives, nursing support workers and students. We support nursing practice, represent nurses at a local and national level and lobby the Government on nurses’ behalf. We exist to make a positive difference to the working lives of our members and ultimately to standards in patient care. Our employees are drawn from many walks of life – we are nurses, trade unionists and communicators, organisers, IT professionals, policy and finance experts, lawyers… together we are so much more. We couldn’t do what we do without our people. We’re accredited with Investors in People Silver Standard. Our people are our greatest asset, and we want people who can contribute to our purpose in line with our values.
About the Role:
As the RCN officer (Reps & Activism) you will lead work in your region to empower our members to get active on workplace issues and support them in their activities. You’ll inspire activism, act as an enabler and recruit RCN reps. It’s a great opportunity for someone adept at networking and digital communications, as we’ll need you to build and foster relationships and engagement across our member-communities as well as support groups of members with collective workplace issues.
This is a role for someone with excellent organisational and prioritising skills, adept at dealing with conflicting and changing priorities. You’ll need experience of developing people and leaders in either an employment, community, or political setting and experience working with trade union reps. We need you to have innovative plans for effective communication, for spotting and harnessing talent, and for managing your time well to deliver in this demanding environment.
We are looking for someone with a commitment to increasing member presence at local level, supporting local representatives and working for justice in healthcare.
To succeed at the Royal College of Nursing all you need to do is think bigger, better and brighter. And with an attitude like that, anything’s possible.
What we offer you:
We expect you to look after our members. And we expect you to be rewarded for it. We offer an impressive range of benefits, a broad range of learning development opportunities and an award-winning health and wellbeing programme. We offer annual leave up to 32 days plus bank holidays and three additional days for the Christmas break (pro rata) plus generous maternity, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave packages.
We offer a competitive pay structure with annual pay progression until you reach the top of the salary scale. We normally offer new employees the first point of the salary range, although you may be able to negotiate a higher starting salary depending on your skills, experience and current salary. We are a diverse organisation and understand everyone has different needs and many of our employees enjoy flexible working enabling them to deliver results whilst having a good work life balance. Our hybrid working model means at least 40% of your working time will be spent working in person, face-to-face with our members and your colleagues.
Our selection process:
Please click the ‘apply now’ button to submit a CV and answer the supporting questions online demonstrating how you meet the criteria for this role. You will not be shortlisted if you don’t. Please ensure your CV is in a simple format with minimal tables and sections. Any identifying information in your application will automatically be anonymised for shortlisting purposes. At the start of your supporting statement, please include which role(s) you are applying for and include the name of the region.
We want your experience applying for a job with us to be the best it can be. We may hold our interviews and assessments in person or by video call. If you foresee any problems, please let us know.
Equal opportunities for everyone:
Equity, diversity and inclusion are a priority for us and we aim to foster an inclusive environment so our people can bring their authentic selves to work. This is integral to our mission to enable you to support our members and ensure their voice is heard by all UK governments to get the best outcomes for them and their patients. As a proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme we actively encourage applications from people with disabilities.
Contact details:
For more information or for an informal discussion about the role please see region and contact details below:
- West Midlands: Lorna 0121 4504318
- Eastern: Sam 01284 7177190
For more information about the recruitment and selection process please contact recruit@rcn.org.uk
Closing date: 29 June 2025.
If we receive many applications after a week of advertising, we may close this vacancy earlier.
Selection dates: TBC
Interview date: TBC.
RCN Officer (West Midlands & Eastern) employer: Royal College of Nursing
Contact Detail:
Royal College of Nursing Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land RCN Officer (West Midlands & Eastern)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with current RCN members or employees to gain insights into the organisation's culture and values. This can help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your understanding of their mission during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with current issues in the nursing and healthcare sectors, especially those affecting trade unions. Being knowledgeable about these topics will allow you to engage in meaningful discussions and show your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples of how you've successfully empowered others in previous roles. Highlighting your experience in developing leaders or supporting community initiatives will resonate well with the RCN's focus on activism and member engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Practice your communication skills, particularly in digital formats. Since the role requires effective networking and relationship-building, being able to convey your ideas clearly and confidently will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace RCN Officer (West Midlands & Eastern)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the RCN Officer role. Focus on your organisational skills, experience in activism, and any work with trade unions.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: In your supporting statement, clearly outline how your background meets the criteria for the role. Start by mentioning the specific position and region you are applying for, then provide examples of your experience in empowering members and managing priorities.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role requires excellent communication abilities, include examples of how you've successfully engaged with communities or led initiatives. Highlight any digital communication strategies you've implemented.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure you follow the application instructions carefully. Submit your CV in a simple format and answer all supporting questions thoroughly to avoid being overlooked during shortlisting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal College of Nursing
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of the RCN Officer. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the role, especially in areas like activism, networking, and supporting members.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As this role involves engaging with members and fostering relationships, be ready to demonstrate your communication abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated in previous roles, particularly in a trade union or community setting.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving and organisational skills. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage conflicting priorities or develop leaders, and be ready to explain your approach and the outcomes.
✨Express Your Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
The RCN values equity, diversity, and inclusion. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to these values within the organisation and support a diverse membership base. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to these principles.
