Recruiting a Deputy General Secretary

As AHDS continues to grow, we are keen to ensure that we maintain and enhance our service to members.  That is why, for the first time in our history, we are seeking to appoint a Deputy General Secretary.  This appointment will increase the capacity of our core team, allowing us to deepen our engagement with members and our work on their behalf.  

Please read on... (and if it's not for you, feel free to share with anyone you think might make a great member of our team!)

Contract/Hours & Leave arrangements: Permanent (following successful probation period). Up to full-time hours (subject to discussion with candidates).

Salary: On HT/DHT pay scale (in the range of scale points 1-7).  Subject to negotiation and experience, reviewed annually.

Location: Home based with travel within Scotland.

Purpose of the Role

The Deputy General Secretary is a senior leadership position responsible for supporting the General Secretary in the strategic and operational leadership of the union. The post holder will play a key role in representing members, advocating for their interests, and ensuring the effective delivery of the union’s policies, campaigns, and services. They will also deputise for the General Secretary when required. 

This is a new role for AHDS and is part of our National Executive’s strategy to further professionalise and develop our union and its offering to members.  A key focus of this role is increasing member engagement with AHDS and supporting local group development to deliver a stronger voice for members with local authority employers.

This role offers an opportunity to influence policy and practice at a national and local level, pursuing the best outcomes for members.

Key Responsibilities

1. Member Representation and Advocacy

•      Strengthen members' ability to engage effectively with their employers at the local level.

•      Represent members in negotiations, consultations, and external forums.

•      Advocate for policies that protect and enhance members’ rights and working conditions.

•      Engage with government bodies, employers, and other stakeholders on behalf of the union.

2. Organisational Development and Governance

•      Support the governance of the union, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

•      Contribute to the effective operation of the union’s democratic structures.

•      Oversee the support for and attend key internal committees and working groups, including delivery of briefing papers and minutes.

3. Communications and Engagement

•      Coordinate the timely delivery of content for member communications including Head to Head.

•      Oversee communication strategies to enhance member participation and engagement.

•      Develop initiatives to increase active member engagement and local-level advocacy.

•      Engage with members to ensure their voices are heard and concerns addressed.

•      Act as a spokesperson for the union as agreed.

4. Strategic Leadership

•      Assist in the development and implementation of the union’s strategic objectives and policies.

•      Provide leadership across the union, ensuring alignment with its constitution and strategic priorities.

•      Support the General Secretary in decision-making and act as a key advisor on union matters.

•      Have a constant focus on identifying improvements in internal working practices, whether within areas of direct responsibility or not.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

•      Demonstrated experience in a senior leadership role within a union, public sector, or advocacy organisation.

•      Proven ability to negotiate and influence at senior levels.

•      Excellent communication and public speaking skills.

•      Experience in strategic planning and policy development.

•      Ability to manage teams and deliver organisational objectives effectively.

Desirable Criteria

These criteria are not expected to be evidenced in full by candidates.  Individuals may have backgrounds and skillsets which would mean the role of Deputy General Secretary could be shaped to make use of particular strengths demonstrated by the successful candidate.

•      Experience in developing member engagement initiatives and local advocacy efforts.

•      Experience of working within a membership-based organisation.

•      Strong knowledge of employment law, industrial relations, and trade union frameworks.

•      Experience as a school leader.

Additional Information

•      The role will require travel within Scotland as well as occasional evening and weekend work.

• Subject to a probationary period of 6 months.

How to Apply:

Applications, comprising a full CV and a covering letter setting out your fit for the role, should be sent by e-mail to Greg Dempster (AHDS General Secretary) greg@ahds.org.uk by 8am on Tuesday 3rd June.  (If you would like a discussion about the role before applying, please e-mail Greg to arrange a time to meet.)

The names and contact details of two people willing to provide references should be supplied upon application, though references will not be sought until after interviews have taken place.

Recruitment process:

• Applications will be considered immediately after the closing date.
• Those selected for interview will be contacted swiftly after the closing date and invited for interview on Saturday 14 June (applicants are asked to confirm in their application that they would be available for interview in Glasgow on 14 June if selected, alternative interview dates may be made available but cannot be guaranteed).
• When invited for interview, candidates will be given a pre-interview task and will be asked to prepare a paper and a presentation for interview.
• Start date will be by agreement between the successful candidate and the General Secretary and is not expected to be before the start of the 2025/6 school session.