Organising Officer – Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU)

Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) is a forerunner in the Trade Union movement and the biggest private sector Trade Union, representing workers in the mining, prospecting, quarrying, energy, chemicals and allied industries. Locally, we are a founding affiliate of the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) and globally affiliated to the IndustriAII Global Union. We have offices at Selibe-Phikwe (Head Office), Francistown (Northern Regional Office) and in the mining towns of Orapa-Letlhakane, Jwaneng, Palapye and Sowa Township.

VACANCIES EXIST

BMWU is seeking the services of additional personnel at its various offices. Applications are invited for a position, tenable at the respective locations.

 

Title of Position: Organising Officer

Location: Selibe-Phikwe (HQ)

Main purpose of the Job

The main purpose of the job is to carry out recruitment and organising activities, implementing the Annual Organising programme, guided by the Union’s Organising and growth strategy. The position reports directly to the National Coordinator – Organising, and indirectly to the Executive Secretary and politically, to the National Chairperson – Organising, respectively.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Implement the Union’s Organising Activity Plan – carry out appropriate recruitment and expansion task plan, targeting potential members in different occupations, companies, workplaces and production sites.
• Initiate, guide, advise, motivate and contribute to: (i) the formation and growth of new and existing Union Branches (ii) coaching, mentorship and ‘grooming’ of local, individual Union leaders and (iii) mass mobilisation in a lawful strike, picket or mass protest at a workplace and/or national level.
• Provide continuous operational support and guidance to national Organisers, Regional Committees, Shopstewards and other Union officials, in their regular organising duties, activities, events, meetings and tasks.
• Participate in workplace negotiations, bargaining and collective agreements.
• Assist in special organising programmes for disabled workers, women, young and migrant workers.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience Required

• Certificate in Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations, Education or any relevant/ equivalent qualification in the Humanities, Arts or Social sciences field, with at least 1 Year experience as a Union Shopsteward and/or local Branch official OR,
• At least two recognised Trade Union Organiser, Negotiator or Educator Short courses, plus proven Organising, Negotiations and/or mass mobilisation experience in a national Trade Union.

Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Adequate knowledge and understanding of BMWU organisation/structure, history and political relations, with emphasis on Union Branch operational environment;
• Able to guide, mobilise and mentor structures, individual Union leaders and mass meetings;
• Able to negotiate and bargain effectively;
• Working knowledge of Mining, Quarrying, Chemicals, Energy and allied sector and company structure;
• Working knowledge of Labour laws, industry Health and Safety laws and Decent work principles;
• Good communication skills, inter-personal skills and persuasive public speaking;
• Report writing and Word processing;
• Willing to work out-of-station and on Rest days, whenever required and possession of a valid Driver’s license.