lgbti workers

The Council of Global Unions (CGU) brings together over 200 million workers organised into thousands of trade unions worldwide. In 2020, the CGU launched a programme to build power among LGBTI workers and deepen solidarity between the labour and LGBTI movements around the globe.

As the programme enters a new phase from 2025, the CGU is seeking a Programme Consultant to help take our work to the next level. The Programme Consultant will play a key role in supporting the global unions to organise against the current anti-LGBTI backlash and ensure that LGBTI workers everywhere can count on unions as allies.

Key roles and responsibilities

The Programme Consultant will:

• Provide their services under the guidance of the CGU LGBTI Coordinating Committee, made up of staff with responsibility for LGBTI issues in each of the global unions.

• Provide secretariat support to the Coordinating Committee, including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, producing reports and overseeing the implementation of action points.

• Provide further practical support to the Working Groups of the Coordinating Committee, such as those on Advocacy and Communications.

• Support the delivery of specific programme initiatives, such as the organisation of webinars, training and statements.

• Support the development of education and organising materials for LGBTI workers and allies, including commissioning these from expert providers.

• Provide support to CGU LGBTI Coordinating Committee members around navigating LGBTI issues strategically and sensitively to build unity.

Requirements

Requirements The provider of the consultancy services should be able to provide evidence of the following:

Essential skills and experience

• A high level of personal organisation and the ability to encourage similar behaviour in others

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English 2

• The ability to learn and adapt to different environments, including sensitivity to different social, cultural and political contexts

• A robust understanding of both the LGBTI and labour movements, including the challenges facing LGBTI people in the world of work

Desirable skills and experience

• Paid or voluntary experience with a labour or community organisation

• Fluency in more than one language

Practical information

The Programme Consultant will be engaged on a fixed-term contract for 12 months from January to December 2025. The full fee for services will be agreed commensurate with experience.

As this work programme is globally oriented, we are open to receiving applications from providers with the intention of working from locations around the world. We will discuss the implications of engagement in different jurisdictions with potential providers.

In line with our values, we strongly encourage membership of an independent union for anyone engaged in work for the CGU.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying, please email James Bartholomeusz (the current Secretary to the CGU LGBTI Coordinating Committee) at bartholomeusz_james@itf.org.uk. Please include a CV and cover letter of no more than two A4 pages outlining your motivation and suitability to provide these services. Please also contact James if you have any further questions about the work programme or engagement process.

The deadline for submissions is 23:00 CET on Wednesday 11 December.

We especially encourage applications from LGBTI people, in particular those who also belong to other marginalised groups. Potential providers who are unsure they meet all the skills and experience requirements should still apply; we are keen to accommodate candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.

For more information about the programme to date, please visit https://lgbtiworkers.org/