UNI Global Union is looking for a General Secretary

Call for applications for the position of:

General Secretary of UNI Global Union

Nyon, Switzerland

The General Secretary holds the key leadership position in UNI Global Union and is elected by the UNI World Congress. The General Secretary has responsibilities for the general direction, management and administration of UNI Global Union. The General Secretary is a non-voting member of the UNI Global Union World Executive Board and Management Committee and is responsible for the implementation of their decisions. The General Secretary is also a member of the Executive Committees and Management Committees of the four regional organizations, UNI Africa, UNI Americas, UNI Asia & Pacific and UNI Europa. The General Secretary will be ambitious for UNI Global Union and will develop and implement UNI Global Union’s strategic plan , which includes a commitment to build unions and strengthen collective bargaining across UNI sectors. The General Secretary must promote the visibility and action of UNI Global Union, including through efforts to build and strengthen unions across the globe in UNI sectors and work to ensure a strong and credible presence with global institutions. The General Secretary will be based in UNI’s head office in Nyon, Switzerland and will work in co-operation with the four regional organizations in the implementation of UNI Global Union’s overall objectives.

Main Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the General Secretary are:

• The general direction, management and administration of UNI Global Union.
• The financial administration of the UNI Global Union, working together with the UNI Deputy Secretary. This includes the preparation of financial reports and presentation of budgets to the World Executive Board and Auditors.
• Leading and ensuring the implementation of UNI Global Union’s strateg ic plan, including the commitment to build unions and strengthen collective bargaining across UNI sectors.
• External communications.
• Working with the UNI Global Union sectors and interprofessional groups, providing oversight and support to promote alignment with the UNI Global Strategic Plan and maximize synergies across the sectors.
• Supporting the sectors in their work to negotiate and implement global agreements.
• Supporting the work of SCORE and the sectors to build and strengthen unions across the globe through organizing and campaigning.
• Building effective, cohesive, global/regional staff teamwork.
• Supervising administration of project work undertaken with the support of the Solidarity Support Organisations and other external donors and working to expand the base of donors.
• Representing UNI Global Union to global institutions.
• Contributing actively and constructively to the work of the Council of Global Unions and cooperating with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and other Global Union Federations.
• Securing a positive relationship with UNI Global Union affiliates and responding to their needs/requests.
• Growing the influence of UNI Global Union in the promotion of tools to strengthen corporate accountability and the work in the area of Business and Human Rights.
• A commitment to youth and gender equality, including the implementation of the UNI Equal Opportunities 40% gender balance initiative.

Competencies

The required competencies for the position of General Secretary include the following:

• A strong personal commitment to the ideals and goals of UNI Global Union.
• To have held a position of significant leadership responsibility at national and/or global level and have had wider trade union experience in UNI Global Union’s areas of membership interest.
• Involvement in the work of UNI Global Union, and an active awareness of the rapidly changing global environment in which affiliates and the global trade union movement operate.
• Proven negotiating skills.
• An understanding of industrial relations models and the difficulties to create new unions and/or grow unions in the current environment.
• Proven commitment to and deep familiarity with organizing campaigns to grow unions.
• Knowledge and understanding of the work to secure and negotiate global agreements.
• Vision and the ability to manage a work stream on the future of work, including the important role for unions to shape the future in connection with the use of artificial intelligence and other technologies.
• An understanding of the businesses covered by UNI sectors and their evolution.
• The ability to represent UNI Global Union at global institutions.
• An understanding of international tools to strengthen corporate accountability and the work in the area of Business and Human Rights.
• Proven leadership skills and organizational ability; honesty, integrity and trust; good inter-personal and partnership skills and the ability to motivate colleagues.
• Proven communication, advocacy and campaigning skills.
• Proven managerial skills; the experience and ability to manage the finance and administration of UNI Global Union and to motivate and inspire staff.
• The ability to plan strategically and administratively, as well as a track record in achieving targets.
• The flexibility to deal with fast-moving events that require a rapid response.
• An understanding of technological developments in relation to UNI Global Union’s operational needs.
• Fluency in English, spoken and written, is essential. Knowledge of any other languages is an advantage.
• The ability to adapt to irregular and unusual hours and strenuous travel commitments.

Application Process

Those wishing to apply for the post should complete the attached application form in English and send it to [email protected] with the subject heading “GS – In confidence” before 1 May 2026 . Confidentiality will be fully respected. An interview panel, appointed by the UNI Management Committee, will have the mandate to agree upon a short list of candidates, who they will interview in Nyon in September 2026. The recommendation of the interview panel will be submitted to the UNI World Executive Board for consideration at its meeting in Nyon on 11-12 November 2026. The election of the new General Secretary will take place at the 7th UNI Global World Congress in Sydney.

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