Internal Communications Officer
Oifigeach Cumarsáide Inmheánaí

Ready to play a part in internal communications within the Northern Ireland Assembly?

Assembly colleagues in a meeting

The Internal Communications Officer is responsible for implementing a strategic approach for the development and delivery of internal communications, with the aim of linking communication activity to Assembly Commission-wide activities, initiatives, projects and issues.

Internal Communications Officer
Oifigeach Cumarsáide Inmheánaí

What we're looking for

The main duties and responsibilities of the Internal Communications Officer are:

  • Develop the Internal Communications Strategy and work with business areas to implement the strategy.
  • Build relationships within and between directorates to promote and ensure consistent messages are delivered throughout the Assembly Commission and that there is an understanding of the roles of all business areas in achieving common goals.
  • Work closely with Clerk/Chief Executive, Directors and Heads of Business to deliver creative and proactive communication activities supporting the delivery of the Assembly Commission’s Corporate Strategy and to promote a positive parliamentary culture.
  • Translate corporate strategic goals and priorities into meaningful messages for Assembly Commission staff in the context of the Commission’s Corporate Strategy and values.
  • Develop and implement creative and inclusive approaches to staff engagement ensuring all staff have the opportunity to participate and contribute.
  • Liaise with the Internal Communications Group and the wider Assembly Commission on internal communications and adjust communications content and approach as required.
  • Source content from business areas about the work of the Assembly Commission and ensure these organisational activities / initiatives / projects/ issues are successfully communicated to staff through appropriate channels.
  • Plan, write and edit content appropriate for a range of communication mediums e.g. AssISt, staff newsletter, email, social media, video messaging etc.
  • Work with Assembly Commission project teams to develop and implement communication strategies for internal projects.
  • Handle internal communications on external situations, which affect how the Assembly Commission is perceived, and its reputation impacted.
  • Develop and implement a content management strategy for AssISt to establish it as the Assembly Commission’s key internal communications hub, provide advice and guidance to colleagues on publishing best practice and work with colleagues to explore if and how AssISt can be developed to meet the needs of users.
  • Work closely with HR to develop a working Engagement Calendar for staff.
  • Establish and implement a mechanism to monitor, evaluate and demonstrate the impact of internal communications activity.
  • Embed a best practice approach to internal communications.
  • Assist the Head of Communications with budgetary management with respect to internal communications.
  • Comply with all of the Assembly Commission’s staff policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies and procedures and all mandatory training requirements.
  • Managing information and records in accordance with established policies and statutory requirements.
  • You may also be required to carry out other duties that the Assembly Commission reasonably requires of you.
What we're offering
Essential Criteria

Applicants must, by the closing date for applications have:

1. A degree in Communications or a related discipline, plus two years’ experience in the areas listed at (a) to (e) below. Applications will be considered from applicants with formal qualifications of an equivalent or higher standard in Communications or related discipline.

OR

2. Five years’ experience in the areas listed at (a) to (e) below

(a) Researching and sourcing material and drafting / editing copy for communication to stakeholders.

(b) Strategic development and content management of an organisation’s website or intranet.

(c) Leading on internal employee engagement initiatives and being responsible for the communication of information arising from such initiatives.

(d) Providing advice and guidance on the approach and content of internal communications to a range of stakeholders.

(e) Making oral presentations to staff and other stakeholders, conveying information on a range of strategic and operational matters.

Quick Q&A for this job...​

The salary range is £37,181-£38,296. This is an Assembly Grade 6 position. 

The Communications Office business area in the Northern Ireland Assembly is responsible for providing information to the media, the public, government departments and other stakeholders through various means including media relations, broadcasting services and digital channels. Information communicated covers the Speaker’s office, plenary and committee business, the Assembly Commission and public engagement activities.

The Internal Communications Officer is responsible for implementing a strategic approach for the development and delivery of internal communications, with the aim of linking communication activity to Assembly Commission-wide activities, initiatives, projects and issues.

The successful candidate will be accountable to the Head of Communications.

The successful applicant will be based in Parliament Buildings, Belfast.

Completed application forms must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 31 January 2022.

The Selection Process

There are five elements within the Recruitment and Selection Framework:

Experience – the knowledge or mastery of an activity or subject gained through involvement in or exposure to it.

Abilitythe aptitude or potential to perform to the required standard.

Technical – the demonstration of specific professional skills, knowledge or qualifications.

Assembly Skills and Behaviours –the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job.

Strengths – the things we do regularly, do well and that motivate us.

The elements which will be assessed for this role will be Experience, Technical and Assembly Skills and Behaviours and the selection method(s) that will be used are detailed below. Further information on the Recruitment and Selection Framework are included in the Guidance on Recruitment and Selection for Applicants.

The essential criteria reflect the experience and knowledge that an applicant must possess in order to be able to undertake the role. An eligibility sift will be carried out on the basis of the information contained in the essential criteria section of the application form. You must therefore demonstrate clearly in your form how, and to what extent, you meet with the essential criteria for the post. 

The selection panel reserve the right to use shortlisting as part of the selection process for this post. Should shortlisting be used, the shortlisting criterion listed in the Job Specification will be applied. The selection panel reserve the right to set a minimum standard for the shortlisting criterion and/or to invite only those who score highest in the shortlisting criterion to the next stage of the selection process. If shortlisting is not necessary, all applicants who have demonstrated the essential criteria will proceed to the next stage of the selection process.

The interview will address the information contained in the Job Specification and will assess elements of the Recruitment and Selection Framework.

Part of the interview process will be the delivery of a presentation. The subject of the presentation will be advised to the applicant on the day of the interview and the applicant will be expected to present information to the selection panel.

The selection panel reserves the right to hold a further interview stage if deemed necessary.

Further information on the Recruitment and Selection process is available in the Recruitment and Selection Framework and Guidance on the Recruitment and Selection for Applicants.

Internal Communications Officer
Oifigeach Cumarsáide Inmheánaí

Below you will find everything you need to apply for the position.

Read all the information about the job and the associated guidance related to working in the Assembly:

You are now ready to complete the online application:

Please note the application form will be unavailable on Saturday 22nd January 2022 between 00:00 – 12:00 due to maintenance on the system.

If you are unable to access the form during this time please try again later.

The deadline for applications expired at 12 noon on Monday 31 January 2022.

Further Information

If you require more information on the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Office on 028 90 521446/028 90 521741 or email recruitment@niassembly.gov.uk.

Visit our website for further information about the Assembly.

Please note the application form will be unavailable on Saturday 22nd January 2022 between 00:00 – 12:00 due to maintenance on the system.

If you are unable to access the form during this time please try again later.