JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title
Department
Reports to
Priority Programme Leader (PPL) – Airports Organising (B3)
Office of the General Secretary
Office of the General Secretary
Direct reports
Other management responsibilities
Programme staff (including shared staff)
Develop and direct the implementation of programme proposals
for each project and campaign including budget and other
resources.
Commission and manage external funding and resources
Direct implementation and evaluation of each project and
campaign team to meet overall objectives
Background
ITF unions at the ITF congress in 2014 identified 4 levers to build ITF power. They agreed to work together to
consolidate hubs and corridors, activate mass membership, respond to geographic shifts and target lead industry
players. Post congress the ITF secretariat and Chairs, to fulfill this mandate, agreed to prioritise certain work
areas and allocate 10% of ITF’s overall budget to these work areas, as well as set up effective and coherent teams
led by a dedicated programme leader. The Executive Board has also approved this approach since. The priority
work areas identified are:
DHL campaign 2
Our public transport
Airports organising
Panama hub
Main Job Purpose:
The PPL will ensure effective delivery and direction of the priority programme airports organising. They will be
responsible for setting up a team, developing an inter-congress work programme, building and maintaining
relationships with ITF affiliates, donor organisations and other stakeholders internally and externally.
The PPL will also be responsible for the financial management and independent evaluation of the programme – all
within an agreed strategic framework.
Main Responsibilities
The PPL will report to the General Secretary or his nominee and will carry out:
Strategic planning and programme development
 Establish, in consultation with the civil aviation section and participating Regional Offices, a project
steering group comprised of key affiliates and stakeholders.
 Direct the development of ITF priority programme airports organising ensuring Women and Young
Workers are involved and represented.
 Direct affiliate capacity building and engagement.
 Include the civil aviation section and other relevant stake-holders when planning the work programme.
 Create and direct a cross-organisational programme team.
 Develop new projects, campaigns and initiatives and identify emerging opportunities related to the
programme.
 As agreed with the project steering group , identify and develop strategic relationships, ensuring regular
engagement and coordination with the civil aviation section and partners in affiliated unions, other Global
Union Federations, NGOs, civil society and political bodies which will assist in the programme’s aim being
achieved.
 Promote internal lesson-learning within the ITF, its programmes and projects to ensure effective
knowledge management on cross-cutting thematic issues and functions.
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
Contribute to wider organizational strategy and development by participating in relevant crossorganisational teams.
Programme management and implementation
 Direct and implement agreed strategies for ITF priority programme airports organising in conjunction with
the project steering group.
 Agree and implement briefing and monitoring mechanism with the civil aviation section.
 Develop and direct appropriate research plans to complement the programme with the ITF Research
team.
 Develop and direct a communications strategy in conjunction with the ITF Communications team to
create an outward facing interactive communications platform enhancing the programme.
 Commission monitoring and independent evaluation of the programme where appropriate, using agreed
monitoring and evaluation plans, indicators and processes.
 Create effective programme documentation and information management and provide an audit trail of
activities.
Representation and advocacy
 Represent the ITF externally to appropriate employers, governments, GUFs, NGOs and other stakeholders.
 Promote lessons learned from airports organising to other affiliates in both ITF and other GUFs as
appropriate.
 Raise the profile of the ITF’s work with several audiences on airports organising by working with the ITF
communications team to produce and dissemination of appropriate communications products.
Partnership and people management
 Direct programme team to ensure effective delivery of programme goals.
 Direct external consultants commissioned to carry out work on the programme.
 Direct partnerships with affiliated unions and other programme partners ensuring effective union
capacity-building, cross-learning and communication.
 Develop and direct, in consultation with the ITF education team, training and educational opportunities
developing new layers of organisers and activists.
 Engage with relevant partners wherein the programme team is embedded.
 Brief the civil aviation section regularly.
Funding and financial management
 Identify funding opportunities and write funding proposals for airports organising, in line with the
relevant ITF internal processes.
 Develop and direct programme budgets in line with the ITF’s organisational processes.
 Direct and monitor overall expenditure in line with the ITF’s financial procedures (and, if appropriate,
donor requirements).
 Verify expenditure by reviewing variance reports produced by the Finance Team.
 Review and ensure, in conjunction with the Finance Team, accuracy of financial reports for donors.
Decisions
The post holder will be expected to make key decisions including:


The expansion of the programme through the addition of new projects with key affiliates and other global
union federations in conjunction with the project steering group and in consultation with the civil
aviation section.
The strategies to be developed and implemented in airports organising, in partnership with the
participating affiliate(s), the civil aviation section and other stakeholders.
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Complexity
Mental demands involved in this role include:


Strategic decision making drawing on a wide range of information and experience.
Research and analytical skills to monitor global, regional and national developments relevant to airports
organising.
 Day to day direction of all aspects of the programme and its projects.
 Evaluating risks and remedial actions which are needed to ensure the programme and its projects remain
viable and successful.
Contacts

Narrative and financial reports for relevant decision-making bodies including constitutional and nonconstitutional entities within ITF structures.
 Face to face and written stakeholder communications ranging from shopfloor activist to general secretary
level.
 Governments, other GUFs, employers and community stakeholders to secure the active interests of ITF’s
aims and objectives.
 Interpersonal and communications skills with a range of stakeholders to resolve project-related issues
including inter-union conflict.
Other important requirements of the job not covered above
Fluent spoken and written English language is required, and knowledge of one or more additional languages would
be an advantage.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL
Education level, qualifications or
equivalent
Knowledge, experience and
technical skills
Significant experience managing
and leading organising
programmes or equivalent
movement building experience.
Experience either in the trade
union movement or in a social
movements context.
DESIRABLE
Degree / degree level equivalent/
professional qualification in
international relations, political
science or related field.
Fundraising and financial
management experience.
Proven experience of working with
NGOs.
Experience in policy and advocacy
work.
Proven experience in developing,
implementing and leading
strategic organizing campaigns.
Excellent analytical and problem
solving skills.
Programme management
technical skills.
Experience of managing teams.
Sound research skills and proven
experience in conducting and
leading strategic research to
support campaigns.
IT literate including
intermediate/advanced
competencies with word
processing, spread sheet, and
presentation software.
High level communication skills
including a proven ability of
developing positive relationships
with organisations and individuals
effectively across cultures and
with diverse audiences both
verbally and written.
Good knowledge of the aviation
industry, airports, airlines, thirdparty global service providers.
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Experience of negotiating and
mediating in a trade union
context.
Personal attributes/skills
Proven technical planning skills.
Strong commitment to social
justice and trade unions.
A second language would be
advantageous.
A proven ability to manage and
motivate others.
Creative thinker.
Flexible approach to working in an
ever-changing context.
Collaborative approach to working
with others.
Ability to multi-task.
Open-minded and approachable.
Practical requirements e.g. hours,
requirement to travel
Ability to exercise a high level of
discretion, diplomacy, and
judgment in a complex and
sensitive environment.
Ability to undertake frequent
travel, when required.
Flexible approach to working
hours when required.
GRADED OCTOBER 2015
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