Trade Union Research and Policy Officer

£29,075 (£58,150 FTE) per annum. Rising to £30,268 (£60,535 FTE) in April 2026.

Part time, 17.5 hours a week. Permanent contract.

About the role:

London-based contract with the option of hybrid working between the office and home. In this role, your expertise in industrial relations and understanding of trade unions will be critical to the CSP as it supports physiotherapy and support staff in workplaces across the UK. You will lead the CSP’s work on Job Evaluation — championing fair pay structures by representing the profession in the NHS Job Evaluation Group, as well as developing and sharing specialist knowledge in this area with staff and reps.

You will coordinate evidence-based responses to Government consultations related to the workplace, ensuring our members’ experiences and priorities cut through with decision makers and help shape CSP policy and strategy around employment matters. Your research and policy work will underpin bargaining, campaigning and negotiations across local, regional, country and UK levels — turning evidence into influence to improve our members' working lives.

You will make sure our reps have the right information at the right time by producing high-quality materials that support recruitment, activism and workplace organising, and you will provide clear, authoritative guidance on employment and union matters for members. A core part of the role will be to produce a range of documents and materials, including reports; briefings/guidance; consultation responses; speeches; articles; and text for leaflets, posters, in-house journal and website. You will be adept at drafting to suit a range of print and digital channels and formats.

Working arrangements:

• Hybrid working: The CSP operates a hybrid working model, allowing employees to work between their home and the office. While we do not stipulate the number of days in the office, employees can decide, through discussions with their line managers, how, when, and where they work best, balancing the needs of the CSP, the team, and themselves. Employees are still expected to attend the office for in-person meetings when required for their role and the organisation. Homeworking is subject to meeting homeworking assessment requirements, which include a minimum broadband speed of 18Mbps and a dedicated space to work from.
• Flexible working: We currently have employees working part-time, job share, compressed hours, adjusted start and finish times, and other non-standard working patterns. We are open to considering alternative arrangements and would welcome discussion with successful candidates about any specific flexibility they may require, subject to organisational needs.

Why work for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy?

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 65,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers; and one of the largest representative bodies in healthcare. At the CSP, our goal is to create a culture characterised by innovation, respect, encouragement, passion and teamwork. We all strive for continuous improvement and to deliver the best possible outcomes for our members. We aspire to work in a way that embodies our values of learning, courage, inclusivity and integrity. Our shared values are part of our organisational DNA, reflecting the expectations we have of ourselves and others. They guide what we do and how we do it, to have the greatest impact for our members.

We offer an excellent benefits package, including:

• 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)
• Office closure between 25 December and 01 January
• A generous pension scheme with 12% employer contribution

How to apply:

Please click on the ‘Apply online’ tab below and complete the online application form. CVs will not be accepted. As part of the application process, candidates will be asked to provide written responses to six criteria, which can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.

Closing date: 10am, 9 April 2026. Shortlisting outcome: W/C 13 April 2026. Interview date: 23 April 2026 (virtual via MS Teams/Zoom).

Equality, Diversity and Belonging:

Accessibility and adjustments: To support an equitable and accessible recruitment experience, we actively encourage candidates to let us know if they require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview stages. Please contact hr@csp.org.uk, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Disability Confident Scheme: As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, candidates who declare a disability and meet all the essential criteria will normally be shortlisted for interview. In the event of a high volume of applications, we may choose to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled and non-disabled candidates. In such cases, a proportionate number of disabled candidates will be shortlisted for interview.

Our commitment to equity, diversity and belonging: The CSP is committed to equity of opportunity, aiming to provide a working and learning environment free from discrimination. We are taking appropriate steps to create a workforce that reflects the diverse society in which we work and live in. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from candidates under-represented in the CSP’s workforce, including those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people. Please note, all candidates will be expected to actively demonstrate their commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Belonging throughout the application and interview stages.