Your new company
Hays are working with the Northern Ireland Assembly to recruit for a Senior Assistant Assembly Clerk, Part time
Your new role
The Clerking business area in the Northern Ireland Assembly directly supports Assembly business in the chamber and in committees, including scrutiny and legislation. Senior Assistant Assembly Clerks are responsible for providing support for important functions of the Assembly, including the conduct of Assembly business, the passage of legislation and the work of the Assembly committees.
The role of Senior Assistant Assembly Clerk is both demanding and challenging, operating in a highly pressurised and scrutinised environment, and occasionally outside of normal business hours.
Senior Assistant Assembly Clerks may be rotated among the Bill, Business and Committee Offices and may work with more than one Committee at a time.
The main duties and responsibilities may include: Providing or contributing to the provision of timely, accurate and authoritative advice, guidance and briefing on a range of procedural, policy and legislative matters relating to or arising from the work of the business unit to senior decision makers such as the Speaker, Committee Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons, Members, and senior managers.
- Preparing or contributing to written and oral advice for the Speaker on items of business tabled by Members, for approval by the Assembly Clerk (where required).
- Supporting Members to develop legislative proposals or amendments to legislation by providing written and oral procedural, policy development and/or drafting advice, under the direction of the Assembly Clerk.
- Under the direction of the Assembly Clerk, preparing draft amendments for Members/Committees and plenary briefs for the amending stages of Bills for the Speaker, for approval by the Assembly Clerk.
- Preparing or assisting in the preparation of draft speeches, speaking notes, and press releases for the Speaker, Committee Chairpersons, Deputy Chairpersons and others, to inform debates in plenary or for events outside the chamber or the Assembly.
- Under the direction of the Assembly Clerk and within the business unit, clerking committee meetings or sub-committee meetings, if required, and providing written and oral advice to Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons at external meetings and events.
- Preparing inquiry/scrutiny plans and draft committee reports for approval by the Assembly Clerk.
- Undertaking or commissioning research into key areas of interest to Members and committees to inform future work such as policy scrutiny, committee inquiries, private member's legislation or the drafting of legislative amendments.
- Preparing draft requests for legal advice.
- Leading, managing and developing individual staff members or a small team to ensure the delivery of team objectives and front line services to a range of stakeholders, including by providing appropriate induction, training and development as required.
- Developing and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders including Members, officials from Executive departments and agencies, other legislatures, private and voluntary organisations, and members of the public to inform the conduct of Assembly business.
- Editing, scrutinising and clearing items of business tabled by Members e.g. Assembly Questions.
- Contributing to the planning and delivery of corporate and directorate projects by providing draft papers, participating in working groups and performing other duties as allocated by the Clerk Assistant/Assembly Clerk.
- Leading on the development, review and delivery of specific projects and work streams within the particular business unit under the direction of the Assembly Clerk.
- Quality assuring the work of staff to ensure compliance with legislation, Standing Orders and other procedural guidance in order to meet agreed service standards.
- Ensuring the best use of resources, including financial budgets, by making recommendations to manage this, under the direction of the Assembly Clerk.
- Checking and approving purchase orders and invoices in line with organisational policy and within approval levels.
- Effectively using Microsoft Office and bespoke internal Assembly software systems and databases to carry out work.
- Managing information and records in accordance with established policies and statutory requirements.
- 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.
- Carrying out other duties that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission reasonably requires of you.
What you'll need to succeed
At least a primary degree, minimum 2:2 classification, in any subject and at least 3 years' experience in each of the areas detailed at (a) - (d).
Applications will be considered from applicants with formal qualifications of an equivalent or higher standard to those stated.
ORAt least 5 years' experience in each of the areas detailed at (a) - (d).
The experience specified above at 1. and 2. must be in the following areas:
- Prioritising, planning and organising a demanding and diverse workload to ensure compliance with deadlines;
- Managing, developing and motivating staff to ensure effective service delivery;
- Providing authoritative* written and oral advice** on complex or politically sensitive matters to elected representatives or senior managers;
- Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with key stakeholders such as senior managers, elected representatives, departmental officials, and other external stakeholders, which support the delivery of objectives.
* "authoritative" means that the written and oral advice must be coming from you in a role where you are accountable to the decision maker for the quality of your advice (i.e. you are the authority for advising the decision maker). ** "advice" must be in respect of guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action by the decision maker who is receiving the advice. Advice is not providing information or briefing.
What you'll get in return
- Hours: 18.5 per week, (0.5 FTE)
- Work Pattern: Tuesday & Wednesday Full days (7.4 per day) in Parliament Buildings. Half day (3.7) to be agreed limited hybrid available.
- £28.11 per hour
- Start date ASAP
Closing 12 noon Wednesday 06 May 2026
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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Skills:
Policy Northern Ireland Assembly Strategy Government
Benefits:
£28.11 per hour
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