Learning Facilitator Recruitment Opportunity

Assembly Grade: AG6

Salary: £42,345 – £43,575

Deadline: Completed Application Forms must be submitted no later than 12 noon (UK time) on Monday 3 February 2025.

Please retain a copy of this booklet for your reference throughout the selection process (you can download a PDF version of this booklet using the link above).

Foreword

Thank you for your interest in the position of Learning Facilitator in the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (the Assembly Commission).

The Assembly operates in a dynamic political and parliamentary environment, and as a newly appointed Learning Facilitator, you will be provided with an excellent opportunity to make an important and valued contribution to the work of the Assembly at Parliament Buildings.

Working at the Assembly offers a rewarding career. You will have responsibility for developing, delivering and evaluating learning initiatives that enhance the skills and performance of staff. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-profile organisation with a dedicated and inclusive team.

In turn, we offer a competitive salary and an excellent pension provision where you contribute between 4.6 and 8.05% of salary and the Assembly Commission will contribute a further 34.25%.

We offer an annual leave allocation of 25 days, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30 days. In addition, we offer 12 days of public and privilege holidays. We also offer a range of other employee benefits listed on the Recruitment website.

Please read the information provided in the candidate information booklet carefully and if you are interested in this exciting post, I would encourage you to submit your application.

If you would like to find out more about the post before making an application please contact Diane Lamont at diane.lamont@niassembly.gov.uk or telephone 02890 525917.

Sinead McDonnell
Head of Human Resources

About Us

The Assembly is at the heart of political and public life as the democratically elected parliament that represents the interests of Northern Ireland and its people.

Established as a key element of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, the Assembly comprises 90 Members and has three main functions – making legislation, scrutinising the Executive and representing constituents.

In accordance with the Northern Ireland Act 1998, the staff, services and facilities which are needed to support the work of the Assembly are provided by the Assembly Commission, a corporate body comprising the Speaker and five Members of the Assembly. The day-to-day running of the Assembly is delegated to the Clerk/Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team (SMT).

The Assembly Commission therefore provides the infrastructure (including Parliament Buildings), facilities and staff to allow the Assembly and its Committees to meet and to encourage public awareness of, and engagement with, the parliamentary process. It also pays the salaries of Members and reimburses the expenses which enable them to undertake their duties both at the Assembly and in their constituency offices.

The Assembly Commission is a high-achieving and professional organisation providing impartial support to the Assembly and its Members. The Assembly Commission is independent of the Executive and the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

The Assembly Commission has approximately 400 staff and an annual revenue budget of £60m. Our organisational structure is illustrated on the Northern Ireland Assembly Recruitment website.

Contents

• About the Role
• The Person
• Core Responsibilities
• Corporate responsibilities
• Essential Criteria
• Shortlisting Criteria
• Assembly Skills and Behaviours
• Equal Opportunities Statement
• Location
• Completing the form
• Recruitment and Selection Framework
• Stages of the Selection Process
• Disability Confident
• Key Employee Benefits
• Terms and Conditions of Appointment
• Equality Monitoring
• Merit List
• Communication during the recruitment process
• Further Information

About the Role

The post holder will be responsible to the Organisational Development (OD) and Learning Manager in the delivery of an effective OD and Learning service to the Assembly Commission.

They will work in collaboration with colleagues across the Assembly Commission in the development, delivery and evaluation of learning initiatives that enhance the skills and performance of staff.

This role will be key to delivering the Assembly Commission’s commitment to providing the best possible development opportunities and programmes for its staff.

The Person

You will have strong communication skills and be able to articulate ideas clearly, listen actively and engage with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.

You will be committed to providing excellent learning initiatives and take responsibility for a professional and high-quality approach to your work.

Core Responsibilities

The main duties and responsibilities are: –

• Work in partnership with colleagues across the Assembly Commission to fully understand key business requirements, identify current and future skills requirements and learning needs and provide advice on appropriate training solutions.
• Design and develop a full range of bespoke training programmes for the Assembly Commission, ensuring that innovative, modern and flexible approaches are developed and implemented including the use of digital solutions.
• Create engaging training materials, including manuals, guides, multimedia visual aids and e-learning modules to aid learning.
• Using a Learning Management System to enhance the learning experience of the organisation
• Facilitate interventions such as programmes, workshops and webinars for staff, utilising appropriate techniques for optimum delivery e.g. role-playing, team exercises, group discussions, videos etc.
• Facilitate learning interventions to enhance management or leadership development and capacity.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of learning interventions through feedback, assessment and performance metrics and working with the OD and Learning Manager, track the overall success to the Assembly Commission.
• Continually update learning content based on feedback and the latest industry trends and practices.  
• Work with stakeholders external to the Assembly Commission regarding the development and delivery of specialist training against required standards.
• Assist in the creation of a Learning Environment which will include fostering a culture of continuous learning through a coaching framework and enhancing knowledge exchange across the Assembly Commission.
• Develop and deliver learning interventions to support the resilience and health and wellbeing of staff.
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensuring that our training offering is communicated effectively and is easily accessible to staff.
• Participate in professional networks and keep abreast of new learning developments and practices.
• Assist with the process of accreditation of learning initiatives.
• Implement arrangements to ensure equality of opportunity and access of uptake for training activities.

Corporate responsibilities

• Take responsibility for own performance and the identification of own personal development.
• Promote the Assembly Commission’s Corporate Values and lead by example.
• Participate on relevant internal working groups
• Manage available resources in an effective way.
• Comply with all Assembly Commission’s staff policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies and procedures and all mandatory training requirements.
• Carry out any other duties which may be required by the Assembly Commission.

Essential Criteria

Applicants must, by the closing date for applications, have:

1. The CIPD level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development (or an equivalent qualification), and at least two years’ experience of the areas detailed at a) – c)*.

OR

2. At least four years’ experience of the areas detailed at a) – c)*.

a) designing, creating, delivering and evaluating successful training programmes, including creating a blended approach to learning e.g. digital such as eLearning and multimedia aids, training manuals and face to face interventions;

b) coaching and facilitating to achieve individual or group goals;

c) working with managers to understand learning needs, propose training solutions and building staff capacity

* Please note this experience must have been gained from working in a specific OD, HR or Learning and Development function/team.

If the successful applicant has applied under the ‘experience only’ route, they will be required to complete the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Development within a set timeframe.

Shortlisting Criteria

Should shortlisting be required, the following shortlisting criteria will be applied:

• Delivering training and learning interventions to enhance management or leadership development and capability.

Assembly Skills and Behaviours

The following Assembly Skills and Behaviours will be assessed during the selection process:

Delivering a quality service

…is about providing a high-quality and efficient service to our customers. It is thinking ahead, managing resources effectively and delivering work on time and to a high standard. It is also using professional or technical expertise to enhance service delivery.

Building relationships and effective communication

…is creating and maintaining positive, professional and respectful internal and external working relationships through effective and appropriate communications.

Initiating improvement and delivering change

…is looking for and being open to new and innovative ideas and improvements to the service provided. It is being flexible and adapting positively and professionally to sustain performance when the situation changes, workloads increase or priorities change. It is about forming sound, evidence-based decisions and being accountable for results.

Managing and leading self and others

… is setting high standards for ourselves. It is about guiding, motivating and developing others to achieve high performance. It is about engaging others in delivering a corporate vision of excellence, expertise and innovation in support of the Assembly as a legislature.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The Assembly Commission is committed to equality of opportunity in employment and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified applicants irrespective of religious belief, political opinion, race, age, gender, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or people with dependents or without. All applications for employment will be considered on the basis of merit.

Location

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

The Assembly Commission operates a Hybrid Working Policy and the balance between working in Parliament Buildings and working at home will depend on business and service need.

Completing the form

Only the information presented in the application form will be considered by the selection panel. CVs or other supplementary material will not be accepted in place of, or in addition to, completed application forms. Completed online forms must be submitted by 12 noon (UK time) on Monday 3 February 2025.

Launch the application portal and complete the application form.

Application forms submitted after the closing time and date will not be accepted.

Recruitment and Selection Framework

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.

Ability – the 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 that will be assessed for this role are Experience, Technical, Assembly Skills and Behaviours and Strengths 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.

Stages of the Selection Process

Eligibility Sift

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.

Shortlisting

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 at page 5 will be applied. The Selection Panel reserve the right to set a minimum standard for the shortlisting criterion and/or to only invite 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.

Interview Stage

Applicants invited to interview will be assessed using the Essential Criteria, Strengths and Assembly Skills and Behaviours as outlined above.

Part of the interview process will be the delivery of a presentation the subject of which will be advised to the applicant in the invite to interview letter.

Interviews are planned for Thursday 27 & Friday 28 February 2025

Further Interview Stage

The Selection Panel reserves the right to hold a further interview stage if deemed necessary. 

Disability Confident

The Assembly Commission is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and for our recruitment, we have committed to:

• ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible;
• communicating and promoting vacancies;
• offering an interview to disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job (the Guaranteed Interview Scheme); and
• anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required.

The Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) supports applicants with disabilities or those with a long-term impairment or health condition, that is expected to last for at least 12 months by offering an interview to disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. If you are applying under GIS it is therefore important that you include all relevant information in your application form. You should refer to the Guidance on Recruitment and Selection for Applicants for more information.

If an assessment or test is used as a shortlisting tool, then applicants applying under GIS will not be required to complete the assessment or test and will be offered a guaranteed interview, provided that they demonstrate in their application form that they meet the essential criteria for the role.

In instances where an assessment or test forms part of the selection process and is not a shortlisting tool, then all applicants must meet the minimum standard required for that assessment or test, including those applying under GIS.

If you wish to submit your application under the GIS, or if you require adjustments to enable you to participate in any part of the selection process, please indicate this on the application form or contact us at recruitment@niassembly.gov.uk.

Please note that you will be required to provide written confirmation of your disability or long-term health condition from a general practitioner or an appropriate specialist, by the closing date for applications.

You can get advice or assistance with making an application from your local Jobs and Benefits Office – contact details are available on NIDirect:

Find contact details for your local Jobs and Benefits Office.

Key Employee Benefits

We offer a competitive salary, excellent pension provision and generous annual leave allowance.

We also offer a range of non-salary benefits which include hybrid working; supportive family friendly policies; flexi-time; health and wellbeing initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme; supported learning and development; Cycle to Work Scheme; Payroll Giving; and volunteering opportunities.

The successful applicant will be given suitable training, including formal specialised courses as necessary.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are happy to talk about the possibility of flexible working in this role with the successful applicant.

View further details of our employee benefits.

Terms and Conditions of Appointment

This is a permanent appointment. The successful candidate will be an employee of the Assembly Commission. All appointments are subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-appointment enquiries which include an Access NI basic check and the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

The standard working week is 37 hours, (excluding meal breaks). Working hours will be dictated by the mode of operation of the Assembly and may involve work into late evenings and on occasions, at weekends and on public holidays.

The taking of annual leave may be influenced by the Parliamentary timetable.

Equality Monitoring

Under Fair Employment legislation, we are required to monitor the community background and gender of those applying for jobs. You must therefore complete the equal opportunities monitoring section of the application form when applying for the post.

Merit List

The merit list of applicants deemed to be appointable will remain “live” for 18 months from the date it is signed and may be used to fill any further permanent or fixed term opportunities for the same post.

Communication during the recruitment process

The Assembly Recruitment Team will issue most communication electronically. You should therefore regularly check your email account to make sure you do not miss any important communication. Please note, sometimes the Recruitment Team emails are automatically filtered as spam by email providers.

Further Information

If you require more information on the recruitment process, please contact the Assembly Recruitment Team on 02890 521699 or email us at recruitment@niassembly.gov.uk.

Further information about the Assembly can be obtained on the Northern Ireland Assembly website.

The Candidate Information Booklet does not constitute any term or condition of employment.