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

2. 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

3. Introduction to Competency Frameworks

4. 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”

5. 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!!

6. 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!!

7. 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)

8. 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!!

9. Competency Framework Models

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

11. 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

12. NUS Competency Framework
for Students’ Unions

13. 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

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

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

16. Lets take a look at a competency

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

18. Support Available

19. 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 – or

20. Q and A Session