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Assistant Editor
Eagarthóir Cúnta

Would you like to contribute to the production and publication of the Assembly's Official Report?

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Assembly colleagues in a meeting

Assistant Editors work in the Office of the Official Report (Hansard). The Office is responsible for providing the official reports of sittings of the Assembly and meetings of Assembly Committees and a range of other reporting and editorial services.

Assistant Editor
Eagarthóir Cúnta

What we're looking for

The main duties and responsibilities of the job are:

  • as required, attend sittings of the Assembly and meetings of its Committees to provide an accurate, chronological, clear log and to observe what is going on; identify each Member who speaks; note in full his or her opening words; note any remarks made off-microphone; note any references to, for example, proper names, places, technical terms and quotes; and provide appropriate advice for other reporting staff.
  • use a computer and digitally recorded sound to revise, within a set deadline, material produced by Parliamentary Reporters to ensure that it is an accurate and complete report of proceedings, conforms to Hansard parliamentary reporting style and faithfully records House procedure as set out in the relevant Hansard guidance, checking spelling and punctuation, correcting grammatical errors and, where necessary, editing whilst having regard to the political context of the content.
  • as required, use a computer and digitally recorded sound to produce, within an agreed deadline, an accurate and grammatically correct transcript of speech conforming to Hansard parliamentary reporting style and faithfully recording House procedure, as set out in relevant Hansard guidance.
  • check spelling and punctuation, correct grammatical errors and, where necessary, edit material whilst having regard to the political context of the content.
  • use appropriate sources to confirm references to proper names, place names and technical terminology, as well as historical, geographical and literary references, foreign words and phrases etc.
  • help prepare material for publication and ensure that it is produced and published within predetermined timescales.
  • lead, manage and develop Parliamentary Reporters to ensure the delivery of team objectives.
  • review the work of Parliamentary Reporters to ensure quality, accuracy and timeliness and that work is completed in an efficient and effective way.
  • develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of customers and key stakeholders, including Members, colleagues from across the Assembly Secretariat, representatives from Government Departments and other relevant external stakeholders.
  • provide miscellaneous editorial, logging, reporting, proof-reading, indexing and other services as required by the Deputy Editors/Editor.
  • respond to queries from Assembly Members, witnesses, public and staff etc and take appropriate action, if necessary in consultation with the Deputy Editors/Editor.
  • manage their own performance and take the initiative to identify their personal development needs and how those needs can be met.
  • act as team/project leaders or members and work with other teams in the organisation.
  • represent the Office of the Official Report (Hansard) and the Assembly at various meetings, conferences, seminars etc.
  • keep abreast of current, political and parliamentary affairs, particularly with reference to Northern Ireland.
  • deputise for the Deputy Editors as and when required.
  • manage information and records in accordance with established policies and statutory requirements.
  • comply with all of the Assembly Commission’s staff policies and procedures including Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies and procedures.
  • carry out other duties that the Assembly Commission reasonably requires.
Find out more and apply now
What we're offering
  • Salary range: £37,181 - £38,296
  • The standard working week is 37 hours, excluding meal breaks (42 hours gross). Assistant Editors will be required to work a greater number of hours during periods when the Assembly is sitting, including working late evenings. They may also be required, on occasion, to work at weekends and on public holidays.
  • In addition to the usual public and privilege holidays, there is an annual leave allowance of 25 days, increasing incrementally by one day per year up to a maximum of 30 days. Annual leave will be granted subject to business need and the right to take leave will be restricted when the Northern Ireland Assembly is sitting.
Find out more about employee benefits
Essential Criteria

Applicants for the post must possess, by the closing date for applications:

1. GCSE/GCE ‘O’ level passes at grades A to C in four subjects, other than English language, plus a GCSE/GCE ‘O’ level pass at grade A or A* in English language. [Applications will be considered from applicants with relevant, formal qualifications of an equivalent or higher standard.]

AND

At least a primary degree in any subject. [Applications will be considered from applicants with formal qualifications of an equivalent or higher standard to those stated.] 

AND

At least three years’ cumulative but not necessarily continuous experience in the following areas a) – c);

a) the preparation, editing and publication of transcripts or exercising editorial judgement in the production of written material for publication.

b) interpreting, researching and communicating complicated verbal and written information, arguments, reports etc.

c) planning and organising a demanding workload, delivering high quality work to tight deadlines and in line with organisational policy and procedures. 

 

OR

 

2. At least five years’ cumulative but not necessarily continuous experience in the areas a) – c) above.

Quick Q&A for this job...​

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

Assistant Editors work in the Office of the Official Report (Hansard), which is part of the Parliamentary Services Directorate. The Office is responsible for providing the official reports of sittings of the Assembly and meetings of Assembly Committees and a range of other reporting and editorial services.

The successful candidate will be accountable to Deputy Editors.

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

Completed application forms must be submitted by 4pm on Friday 12 February 2021.

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.

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.

All of the above elements will be assessed for this role and the selection methods 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.

 

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.

1. Online Testing

Online testing may be used as a shortlisting tool. Invitation to test does not imply that an applicant possesses the essential criteria. The tests will be held online and instructions and further information will be issued to applicants after the closing date for applications. Only those applicants who meet the minimum standard and who score highest in the tests, will be considered for the next stage of the selection process: the eligibility sift. 

2. 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. 

3. 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 in the Job Specification will be applied. The selection panel reserve the right to set a minimum standard for the shortlisting criterion which applicants must achieve in order to be invited to the interview 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.  

4. Job-related Skills Test

Those applicants who come through the first stages will then be invited to a thorough job-related skills assessment, which will include tests covering the use and knowledge of English. Those applicants who meet the minimum standard and who score highest in this stage will be invited to interview. 

5. Interview Stage

A selection panel will interview applicants who have met the minimum standard and scored highest at the job-related skills test — the fourth stage. The interview will address the information contained in the job specification and will assess elements of the Recruitment and Selection Framework.

The Interview Stage will also include an editorial exercise, which will be undertaken on the day of the interview, and the applicant will be expected to present their work to, and discuss it with, the selection panel as part of the interview.

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

Assistant Editor
Eagarthóir Cúnta

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:

Apply Now

Please note the application form will be unavailable on Saturday 21st November between 00:00 – 09:00 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 4pm on Friday 12 February 2021.

Further Information

If you require more information on the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Office on 02890 520327 or 02890 521869 or email recruitment@niassembly.gov.uk.

Visit our website for further information about the Assembly.

Good Luck

Apply Now

Please note the application form will be unavailable on Saturday 21st November between 00:00 – 09:00 due to maintenance on the system.

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