The National Competency Framework for Students’ Unions Sarah McIntosh NUS HR Support Unit

This session Introduction to competency frameworks The National Competency Framework for SU’s Making it work for your SU Support available Q and A Session

Introduction to Competency Frameworks

Definitions Competency or competencies: “the behaviours that individuals must have, or must acquire, to perform effectively at work” Competency framework: “a structure that sets out and defines each individual competency (such as student focused or people political awareness) required of individuals working in an organisation or part of an organisation”

History: David McClelland (1973) Study into the characteristics of high performers Results highlighted commonalities in how a superior performers thinks, feels and acts in a works setting McClelland felt that these competencies could be taught to others Book can still be brought on Amazon (and other book retailers!) for £170!!

History: Boyatzis (1982) Study into the characteristics of effective managers Defined a framework of basic competencies required for effective supervision or management Book can still be brought on Amazon (and other book retailers!) for £170!!

History: Further Developments Job descriptions & recruitment/selection assessment methods – Feltham (1992) Career planning and development – Craig (1992) Standards of minimum occupational competence – Fletcher (1992) Job evaluation – Spencer and Spencer (1993) Training – Antonacopoulou and Fitzgerald (1996)

Main use of competencies today Measuring a candidates potential future effectiveness at interview Reviewing an employee’s capability, potential and performance Book can still be brought on Amazon (and other book retailers!) for £170!!

Competency Framework Models

The benefits of competency frameworks Book can still be brought on Amazon (and other book retailers!) for £170!!

Benefits of a competency framework Set clear expectations Gives managers a tool to assess performance, identify gaps and identify talent Make recruitment / appraisal systems fairer Help staff transfer easily between similar organisations Support development and succession planning Encourages a consistent staff and ‘customer’ experience Considered best practice Paints a picture of your desired organisational culture

NUS Competency Framework for Students’ Unions

What is it? Based on research and activities with 51 students’ union An organisational behaviours based competency framework Based on the common behaviours of high performing staff in any role in any SU It is NOT a technical role specific competency framework Has been designed to enable SU’s to adopt and adapt the framework

Structure of the framework Seven core competencies: Accountability Student focus Personal effectiveness Inclusivity Results focused Communications Political awareness Role specific competency: Motivational leadership

Structure of the framework Framework has three levels of performance: Outstanding behaviour Effective behaviour  Unacceptable behaviour

Lets take a look at a competency

Making it work for your SU: A 10 step plan Page 24

Support Available

Support HR Resource Hub – dedicated page The guide Free webinars Free workshops Editable templates for your SU Coming soon - further resources and case studies Questions & Queries – sarah.mcintosh@nus.org.uk or 07880 193024

Q and A Session