
Competitions Leads (multiple vacancies, across England and Wales)
Location: Online and in-person heats across England and Wales
Pay: Zoom heat fee £40 / In-person heat fee £65, plus reasonable travel expenses
Contract: Flexible contract, November 2023 – May 2024
Competition Leads host our competitions including the Schools’ Mace debating, the ESU-Churchill Public Speaking Competition and the Performing Shakespeare Competition. The Competition Leads will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of heats throughout the competitions with duties including Zoom hosting, MCing, judging and providing constructive feedback to students and teachers. You will also support and provide guidance for our volunteer judges, ensuring they have a positive experience volunteering with the ESU.
For more information about the role, please download the job description and person specification.
How to apply
To apply, please complete this online application form by 29 September 2023.
If you have any questions, please email education@esu.org.
Other roles
The ESU is always keen to hear from enthusiastic and experienced teachers, debaters and public speakers to:
- help us deliver our debating and public-speaking programmes, workshops and competitions
- support participants during our residential Debate Academy and the International Public Speaking Competition
These are paid roles with training provided. We cover the cost of a Child Protection Level 2 qualification and an Enhanced DBS Disclosure for all teaching staff. These roles are a great opportunity to gain practical experience and to share your skills with young people to improve their communication skills and boosting their confidence so they can realise their full potential. Working for us in this way also means you can can apply for our international debate tours which run every year in countries such as Japan, Denmark and the US. Find out more here.

Volunteering
Interested in volunteering for the ESU or applying to be a volunteer judge with us? Then why not out more about our volunteer programme?

I took part in ESU competitions throughout school and I really wanted to give back and become a mentor myself
Constance Collard
ESU alumna and oracy trainer & mentor

Safeguarding
The ESU is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including a satisfactory Enhanced criminal record with Barred List check through the Disclosure and Barring Service. Read our safeguarding policy here.
Equality and Diversity Monitoring form
The English-Speaking Union is committed to providing equal opportunities in our recruitment process. Completing this form is voluntary and all information you provide will remain confidential, however, it will allow us to assess the diversity of our workforce and ensure equal opportunities for all ESU staff.
