This unit applies to individuals with a sound theoretical knowledge base in unionism and industrial relations who provide leadership to members and staff in the union workplace. The union campaigns and projects may relate to a range of issues such as campaigns to target public opinion, campaigns on industrial issues, or projects to increase membership.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan campaigns and projects

1.1. Undertake research to establish issues and requirements for the campaign or project

1.2. Establish steering committee, if appropriate, with terms of reference

1.3. Establish and agree upon objectives and outcomes with stakeholders

1.4. Establish and identify decision-makers and points of influence to support the campaign

1.5. Develop and communicate an action plan

1.6. Identify key indicators, milestones and measures and put evaluation techniques in place to monitor progress

1.7. Disseminate communication and monitoring mechanisms

1.8. Allocate resources and establish systems for recording and maintaining records

2. Manage campaigns and projects

2.1. Select relevant people to be involved on the basis of interest and suitable skill sets, and clarify roles and responsibilities

2.2. Allocate staff time to undertake work and establish work plans with and for individual staff members

2.3. Implement risk management strategies as required

2.4. Monitor campaign or project against plan, and negotiate and agree on adjustments with relevant people if required

2.5. Develop and support team members

2.6. Provide relevant people with feedback about their performance

2.7. Ensure meetings are convened with steering committee or work team as agreed or required

3. Manage campaign or project budget

3.1. Research cost estimates thoroughly and include contingency allowances

3.2. Prepare budget and gain approval from relevant people

3.3. Monitor expenditure against budget regularly and record accurately in accordance with union requirements

3.4. Negotiate revisions to budget as required

4. Review campaign or project

4.1. Review and measure established objectives against actual outcomes

4.2. Review budget and consider actual expenditure against allocated expenditure

4.3. Debrief project or campaign and make recommendations for future activities

4.4. Document lessons learned from the campaign or project and store appropriately for future use

4.5. Share reports on outcomes with others who may benefit from the review process

Required skills

communications skills to work with committee/s, stakeholders and staff

leadership and staff management skills to direct others, to resolve conflict, to motivate staff and to provide feedback

planning and organisational skills to meet time lines, to sequence work and to focus on priorities.

Required knowledge

relevant regional, national, and international legislation and regulations relating to industrial relations, occupational health and safety, vocational education and training, equal opportunity and discrimination

financial management, including:

how to interpret a budget

how to develop a budget

researched information about employer/s

SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis facing campaign or project

organising frameworks

organisational priorities, structure and processes of union/s.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

documents that demonstrate evidence of having managed all stages of a real or simulated project or campaign; project or campaign plan, notes from team meetings, budget, project or campaign communications

analysis of outcomes of project or campaign and how it could have been more efficient or effective

knowledge of organising frameworks.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a range of documents related to a union campaign or project.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

observation of presentations

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of organisational priorities, structure and processes of union/s

review of action plan developed for campaign or project

review of work plans established with and for individual staff members

evaluation of feedback provided to relevant people about their performance.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

other workplace relations units.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Campaigns or projects may include:

activities that can be seen to have concrete outcomes and a defined endpoint, and which require activities that are distinct from normal day-to-day work, for example:

introduce a new membership system

set up a call centre

delegate or staff development

campaigns about industry issues

campaigns or projects about wages and conditions

delegate conference, targeted organising campaigns or projects

public awareness or media campaigns or projects

Steering committee may refer to:

any designated group with authority in relation to the campaign or project

delegates and activists

group of organisers

group of workplace representatives

management committee

members

reference group

sub-committee

workplace organising committee

Action plan will include:

activities

budgets

communication strategies

resource requirements

risk analysis

strategies

time lines

Resources may include:

campaign or project staff

contractors or consultants

funds

special tools or equipment

technology

Unit sector

Workforce Development - Workplace Relations

This unit contains employability skills.