Head of Office

at Public Services International
Published April 10, 2025
Location Geveva, Switzerland
Category Administration  
Job Type Full Time  

Description

Overall responsibilities:

Operating at the intersection of the political, administrative and governance functions at the highest level, the position supports and assists the General Secretary to:

fulfil PSI’s constitutional requirements and provide good governance
maintain excellent affiliate relations, and
develop and implement strategy and monitor and co-ordinate operations.
Key responsibilities of the position include:

Governance

Manage the planning, preparation and co-ordination of PSI constitutional bodies across departments and regions
Monitor and advise on governance matters including composition of governance bodies, and ensure compliance with governance requirements as set out in the constitution
Oversee reporting and preparation of policies for decision making, and ensure accurate minutes
Affiliate relations

Co-ordinate political aspects of affiliate relations including membership functions such as managing membership applications, withdrawals and monitoring arrears
Co-ordinate affiliate and external requests
Support GS and staff with political liaison with EPSU and European affiliates
Monitoring and planning

Continuously scan for internal and external threats and opportunities and identify, advise and manage risk
Ensure coherence and monitor implementation of governance, work programs and strategy across HO departments and regions
Support the GS in whole of organisation planning
Strategic Projects

Co-ordinate or lead development and implementation of strategies in areas of the GS political or organisational priority
Co-ordinate whole of organisation responses to ad hoc or urgent priorities (such as solidarity actions or support to affiliates in need) including attacks on affiliates or unexpected geopolitical events
Political Support

Assist the GS with political duties such as speeches, co-ordination of briefings, preparations for meetings and political aspects of travel
Collate, oversee or draft memos, letters, policy, reporting and strategic documents for GS
Provide strategic political and organisation advice to the GS
Liaise with staff, affiliates and external partners
Other duties as assigned by General Secretary

Supervision: The position will report to the General Secretary

Staff management: NIL

Cross-functional links:

The position will work in close collaboration with the heads of HO departments, regional secretaries and staff working on membership, governance and affiliate relations

Employment conditions: PSI Head Office, Ferney-Voltaire, France, OR Geneva, Switzerland OR major accessible European centre (for an exceptional candidate). Final location will be subject to the employability of the preselected candidate (residency, work permit, etc.). Permanent full-time position

Annual gross salary according to PSI compensation (divided into 13 monthly payments) + Secondary Benefits based on PSI Policy. Subjected to local conditions.

Starting date: As soon as possible.

Selection criteria:

Content Expertise:

Strong understanding of governance functions in a membership-based organisation
Strong understanding of the support needs of a senior leader in a government, membership based or not for profit organisation or political party.
Broad knowledge of trade unions across the globe, especially public service trade unions and especially European trade unions
A degree in social sciences, law, public policy, labour or equivalent experience.
Skills and attributes:

High level political acumen, ability to maintain multiple and complex political relationships and influence
High level problem-solving skills to drive creative solutions in political and ambiguous environments
Ability to identify risks and opportunities, adapt to diverse situations and flexibly and rapidly respond
Ability to write under pressure, quickly source, synthesise and collate information for succinct briefs in a wide range of areas, often outside your area of expertise
Strong time management and task coordination skills in an environment without direct supervision and with ambiguity
Ability to balance urgent tasks with long term strategic priorities
Ability to establish and monitor organisational plans, budgets and work programs and advise on risks, opportunities and corrective actions
Strong team player, able to communicate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds
Ability to act decisively on behalf of a principal without overstepping authority
Ability to draft timely, accurate reports for internal and external accountability
Strong attention to detail
Familiarity with the concepts and operations of membership systems or CRM tools
Project management skills
Policy development expertise an advantage
Demonstrated commitment to gender equality
Ability to travel
Experience:

At least 5 years’ experience in the trade union movement, political party, government, civil society or equivalent at the national, regional or global level.
At least 2 years’ experience in a governance function, or similar experience, in a membership based organisation, political party, student organisation or government
Experience supporting leaders in a political, membership based or government organisation
Languages:

Ability to write and speak fluently in English is essential.
Spanish is highly desirable. Other PSI languages such as French, German or Japanese are an advantage.

Please send your resume/CV

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