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Parliamentary Reporter

Join the Office of the Official Report, providing the official transcripts of sittings of the Assembly and meetings of Assembly Committees

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Parliamentary Reporters report and edit transcripts of Assembly plenary sittings, relevant Committee meetings and miscellaneous other material relating to Assembly business and contribute to the production of the Official Report (Hansard) in its various guises.

Parliamentary Reporter

What we're looking for

The main duties of the role are to:

  • Attend meetings of the Assembly and 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; and note any references to, for example, proper names, places, technical terms and quotes.
  • Using a computer and based on recorded sound, 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.
  • Research, using appropriate sources, references to proper names, place names and technical terminology, as well as historical, geographical and literary references, foreign words and phrases etc.
  • Read and edit material produced by others to ensure that it is accurate and conforms to Hansard editorial and procedural guidelines.
  • Help prepare material for publication and ensure that it is produced and published within predetermined timescales.
  • Provide miscellaneous editorial, logging, reporting, proofreading, indexing and other services as required by Assistant Editors/Deputy Editors/Editor.
  • Respond to queries from Assembly Members, witnesses, public and staff and take appropriate action, if necessary in consultation with Assistant Editors, Deputy Editors or Editor.
  • Manage their own performance and take the initiative to identify their personal development needs and how those needs can be met.
  • Act as project team 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.
  • Comply with the Assembly Commission’s Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies and procedures.
  • Carry out other duties that the Assembly Commission reasonably requires of you.
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What we're offering
  • Salary range: £29,527 - £30,413
  • The standard working week is 37 hours, excluding meal breaks (42 hours gross). Parliamentary Reporters 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.
  • An annual leave allowance of 25 days, increasing incrementally by one day per year up to a maximum of 30 days
Find out more about employee benefits
Essential Criteria

Applicants must, by the closing date for applications have:

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 candidates with relevant formal qualifications of an equivalent or higher standard to those stated.]

a) at least two years’ cumulative but not necessarily continuous experience in the preparation, editing and publication of transcripts or exercising editorial judgement in the production of written material for publication or examination.

b) the ability to interpret, research and communicate complicated verbal and written information, arguments, reports etc.

OR

2. a) At least three years’ cumulative but not necessarily continuous experience in the preparation, editing and publication of transcripts or exercising editorial judgement in the production of written material for publication or examination.

b) the ability to interpret, research and communicate complicated verbal and written information, arguments, reports etc

Quick Q&A for this job...​

The salary range is £29,527 – £30,413. This is an Assembly Grade 7 position. 

Parliamentary Reporters 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 an Assistant Editor.

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

Completed application forms must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 28 September 2020.

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.

Online verbal reasoning 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. 

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. 

Those applicants who come through the first two 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 third stage will be invited to interview. 

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

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

Application Pack: Parliamentary Reporter

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:

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Please note the application form will be unavailable on Saturday 18th September between 00:00 – 09:00 due to maintenance on the system

The deadline for applications expired at 12 noon on Monday 28 September 2020.

Further Information

If you require more information on the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Office on 02890 520327.

Visit our website for further information about the Assembly.

Good Luck

Apply Now

Please note the application form will be unavailable on Saturday 18th September between 00:00 – 09:00 due to maintenance on the system