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Principal Assembly Usher (Support)
Príomh-Uiséir an Tionóil (Tacaíocht)

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The Principal Assembly Usher (Support) will primarily lead in the management of the administrative element of the Usher Services business area, which will include ensuring that the business area remains compliant with DPA and GDPR legislation.

Principal Assembly Usher (Support)
Príomh-Uiséir an Tionóil (Tacaíocht)

What we're looking for

The main duties and responsibilities of the post are:

Management Tasks

  • Acting as a member of the Usher Services management team which includes leading, managing and developing Senior Ushers and two administrative staff.
  • Overseeing and managing administrative support within the Usher Services office.

Administration Tasks

  • Preparing and maintaining standing orders and procedures in support of business.
  • Overseeing the ongoing development and management of the Assembly ID pass system, the Assembly postal service and the lost property operation.
  • Taking personal responsibility for implementing DPA and UK GDPR legislation in Usher Services.
  • Assisting in the procurement and requisition of material and equipment, and providing contract management support as required.
  • Assisting in the preparation of budgetary material in support of Head of Usher Services.
  • Assisting in the preparation of Information Security and Information Assurance material in support of Head of Usher Services including the management of information and records.
  • Participating in project management for Usher Services projects.
  • Assisting in the development and management of the Assembly Business Continuity plan.
  • Complying 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.

Operational

  • Assisting with and participating in the provision of Usher Services support to Assembly Plenary sittings and Committees sessions.
  • Providing on-call supervision on a rostered basis.
  • Standing in for the Principal Assembly Usher (Operations) in their absence.
  • Assisting in the oversight and management of the Assembly’s Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) system at Parliament Buildings.
  • Assisting with the delivery of Usher Services staff training.

Additionally, carrying out other duties that the Assembly Commission reasonably requires.

Find out more and apply now
What we're offering
  • Salary range: £37,925 - £39,062
  • The standard working week is 37 hours, excluding meal breaks (42 hours gross). Working hours will however be dictated by the level of business and sitting times of the Assembly, and will involve work into late evenings on sitting days.
  • The post holder will also be required to perform recompensed evening/night time on-call duty during weekdays, and at weekends and on public holidays. This is scheduled on a rota basis, and is performed by all members of the Usher Services management team.
  • 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. Please be aware that a major influence in determining when leave can be taken will be business and operational need timetable.
  • The successful applicant will be given suitable training, including formal specialised courses as necessary.
Find out more about employee benefits
Essential Criteria

Applicants must, by the closing date for applications have:

  1. At least a primary degree, minimum 2.2 classification, in any subject.
    Applications will be considered from applicants with formal qualifications of an equivalent or higher standard to those stated.

AND

At least 3 years’ experience of each of the areas detailed at (a) – (c):

a) Participating as a line manager within a team responsible for the delivery of a range of operational and administration services within the work place, ensuring compliance with DPA and UK GDPR legislation.

b) Planning and organising a diverse workload, delivering high quality work to tight deadlines and in accordance with organisational policy and procedures. 

c) Analysing information from a range of sources e.g. budgets, contract management, management reports etc. to develop high quality written documents which support and inform effective decision making.

OR

  1. At least five years’ experience in each of the areas detailed at (a) – (c) above.

Additional to criteria 1. or 2. Applicants must also demonstrate experience of criteria 3. and 4.

  1. At least 2 years’ experience of managing and supervising a team of staff whose duties cover both operational security and general office administration.

AND

  1. At least 1 years’ experience of effectively using Microsoft Office to manage information, create documents and assist in providing a quality service to customers.

shortlisting criteria

At least two years’ experience of managing contracts or budgets or business continuity.

Quick Q&A for this job...​

The salary range is £37,925 – £39,062. This is an Assembly Grade 6 position. 

The Principal Assembly Usher will work in the Usher Services office. The Usher Services business area forms part of the Corporate Services Directorate and is responsible for the provision of a safe, secure, and efficient working environment for Members, staff and all persons frequenting Parliament Buildings.

The successful candidate will be accountable to the Head of Usher Services.

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

Completed application forms must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 04 July 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.

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 which will be assessed for this role will be Experience, Ability and Assembly Skills and Behaviours. The selection method(s) that will be used are detailed below:

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. 

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 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.  

As part of this stage of the selection process, applicants will be required to complete a written exercise.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held week beginning: 22 August 2022.

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. 

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.

Principal Assembly Usher (Support)
Príomh-Uiséir an Tionóil (Tacaíocht)

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 due to essential system maintenance on Friday 01 July 2022 between 19:00 and 23:30.

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 04 July 2022.

Further Information

If you require more information on the recruitment process, please contact the Human Resources Office on 028 90 521869/028 90 520325 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 due to essential system maintenance on Friday 01 July 2022 between 19:00 and 23:30.

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

Friendly Ushers prepare to greet visitors to Parliament Buildings