June 2015
Dear Applicant
Shop Assistant (PT)
Thank you for your interest in the above post and working within Mothers’ Union.
This pack contains information on the post and guidelines on how to complete the application
form are also attached. To apply, please complete the application form describing how your
skills and experience match our requirements and what you would bring to the post. We
would also be grateful if you would complete the Equal Opportunities Form.
For information on our work, see our latest annual review on our website
http://www.mothersunion.org/about-us/how-we-work/annual-review
You can find more information on our sales team at http://muenterprises.org
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Thursday, 9th July 2015.
It would be preferable if you have the ability to join immediately or have a short notice
period.
Please email your completed application to jobs@mothersunion.org or post it to Mothers’
Union, Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3RB.
We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not been contacted
by 30th July 2015, please assume that your application was not shortlisted on this occasion.
I look forward to receiving your application form.
Yours sincerely
Dee Babudoh
HR Manager
Application pack –Shop Assistant
June 2015
Page 1 of 6
JOB DESCRIPTION
Title:
Shop Assistant
Unit:
MU Enterprises Ltd
Hours:
25 hours per week (12.45pm – 5.45 pm Monday – Friday)
Accountable to:
Retail Manager
Background
Mothers’ Union is a membership Society established in 1876. Its purpose was to encourage
parents in caring for their children, not just physically and mentally, but also spiritually. From
the outset, it recognised that strong relationships and the role of family, however defined, are
crucial in building healthy communities.
Membership is diverse: not all our members are mothers, or even women. Some are
single, married, parents, grandparents or young adults.
The ways in which we operate to fulfil that need today are very different to that of the world
of the 19th century, but our vision is still of a world where God’s love is shown through loving,
respectful and flourishing relationships. We aim to show our Christian faith by the
transformation of communities worldwide. We do this through the promotion of stable
marriage, family life and the protection of children. We actively pursue our vision through our
faith, programme work, advocacy and policy outreach work.
Today there are more than 4 million members of Mothers’ Union in over 80 countries. Each
member subscribes to the same values; the moral and ethical codes that are central to the
ways in which we operate:



We are firmly rooted in a voluntary ethos centred on mutual respect and
collaboration;
Our governance, leadership, and programmes are driven by and undertaken through
lay members within their own communities worldwide; and
We work with people of all faiths and none.
MU Enterprises
MU Enterprises Ltd is the trading company of Mothers’ Union. Its aim is to make a taxefficient profit for the Charity whilst working to support the general direction of the Charity.
Within the trading company there are three divisions:
Retail – Mary Sumner Gift Shop & Sales & Despatch
Publications – Families First & Families Worldwide magazines
Conference Facilities
Application pack –Shop Assistant
June 2015
Page 2 of 6
Retail
The Sales & Despatch team is part of the Retail division and has an annual turnover of
approximately £500K. Its remit is to source, produce and sell gifts, diaries, greeting cards,
jewellery and other small gift items to raise revenue for Mothers’ Union.
The Mary Sumner Shop is based at the headquarters of the Mothers’ Union. It sells a wide
range of gifts and greetings cards to the general public and members of the Mothers’ Union.
The team currently has a staff of six and covers the online gift shop, the gift shop situated at
Mary Sumner House and our mail order catalogue.
Head of MUe &
House
Retail Manager
Shop Assistants
Sales Officer
Sales Administrator
Warehouse
Operatives
Job Objectives
To assist the Retail Manager in the day to day running of the Gift Shop and contribute to
actively seeking ways to increase revenue and promote the shop presence.
Main Responsibilities
1. To serve customers and deal with their enquiries promptly and professionally.
2. To maintain the till on a daily basis, ensuring the float is accurate and taking
appropriate readings at the end of each day. To cash up at the end of each week
ensuring cashing up sheets are filled in correctly. Display goods in consultation with
the Retail Manager.
3. To keep the Retail Manager informed of completed tasks on a weekly basis.
Application pack –Shop Assistant
June 2015
Page 3 of 6
4. To assist the Retail Manager in creating attractive in-house and window displays.
5. Together with the Retail Manager to actively seek ways to increase revenue and
promote the shop presence.
6. On a regular basis, to check stock levels and report low levels to Retail Manager.
7. To take delivery of goods, check delivery, price and display goods in consultation with
the Shop Manager.
8. To assist with the yearly stock take.
9. To maintain the cleanliness of the shop, i.e. dusting and maintaining the in-store
displays, ensuring they look as attractive as possible at all times.
10. To carry out any other appropriate duties as necessary.
11. Provide cover for shop staff when absent through sickness or annual leave.
12. To ensure appropriate attire is worn, a smart appearance must be maintained at all
times in particular, no blue denim or white trainers to be worn.
Key Contacts:
Internal:
Retail Manager, Head of MUe & House, Sales & Despatch team and Finance
Department
External:
Customers, members of the Mothers’ Union and suppliers
Application pack –Shop Assistant
June 2015
Page 4 of 6
Person Specification
Experience/Skills
Retail
Essential
Experience of working within
a retail environment.
Desirable
Experience of window dressing a
shop and merchandising.
Knowledge and experience of
the Epos Till System.
Qualifications
Education
Educated to ‘O’ Level/GCSE
level with passes in English
and Maths.
Personal Attributes
Organisation
Ability to be resourceful and
multi-task.
Flexible- able to use ones
own initiative.
Communication
Working with others
Able to work unsupervised.
Excellent verbal
communication skills with a
clear telephone manner.
Effective interpersonal skills
– ability to engage with a
wide range of people.
Team player – ability to work
with others and contribute to
the success of the Shop.
Work Ethos
Integrity lies at the heart of Mothers’ Union and in our voice and actions, we aim to be:
 Respected;
 Effective;
 Accessible;
 Clear yet not strident;
 And innovative in approach.
Mothers' Union staff are expected to reflect these core values in their own personal
characteristics. Post holders are expected to be able to demonstrate:
1
A level of competence appropriate to the demands of this post.
2
The ability to conduct work in keeping with high professional standards and in
accordance with Mothers’ Union’s Aim, Objects and values.
Application pack –Shop Assistant
June 2015
Page 5 of 6
3
A clarity of communication characterised by warmth
and openness.
4
A collaborative and constructive style of operating, respecting colleagues and
volunteers and their contribution.
5
A broad sympathy to the Christian faith.
Terms attached to the post:
Salary
Hours of work
Type of contract
Annual holiday entitlement
Pension scheme
Notice period
Other benefits
Application pack –Shop Assistant
June 2015
Page 6 of 6
Starting salary will be on point 5 on £14,415 prorata from a fulltime salary of £20,181 per annum
25 hours a week, 12.45pm – 5.45 pm Monday Friday to Friday only, 1 hour for lunch per day. This
post is within the fixed hour’s system.
Sickness/Annual Leave cover may be required for
which working hours will be paid.
Permanent. There is a three month probationary
period attached to this post
14 days per year from a full time full year
entitlement of 20 days per year. Entitlement in the
first year will be pro rata. Plus 8 bank holidays and
an additional 5 Mothers’ Union holidays. The 5
Mothers’ Union holidays are: Maundy Thursday (the
day before Good Friday), Christmas Eve, and up to
three days between Christmas and New Year
depending when Christmas falls during the week.
Automatic enrolment into our pension scheme.
Mothers’ Union contribute 7% with 3% employee
contribution.
One month on either side
Interest free season ticket loan, staff discount at the
on site Mary Sumner Gift shop