Essential Criteria
Applicants must provide evidence that, by the closing date, they meet the following essential criteria:
1. Hold a professional library qualification and evidence of continuous professional development.
2. Experience of successfully managing complex organisational change.
3. A minimum of three years’ experience, gained within the last seven years, of leadership at a senior level* of library services.
4. At least three years’ experience of personal accountability for budget management in an organisation and an understanding of the responsibilities involved in safeguarding and accounting for public funds.
5. Experience of working with a range of stakeholders both internally and externally to successfully deliver agreed organisational aims and objectives.
Desirable Criteria
1. Chartered Librarian with CILIP or equivalent.
Further Clarification
*Senior Level is defined as having experience of taking decisions that impact at a strategic level and affect the service or organisation in which the applicant is working and/or leading on the provision of detailed advice on such issues at a strategic level. Applicants are required to provide an organisational chart(s) which show their position in the structure of the organisation(s) to which they refer.
It is essential that applicants provide sufficient details, using examples and dates where appropriate to demonstrate that they meet these requirements. It is not sufficient to simply list duties and responsibilities. Libraries NI will not make assumptions from the title of your post or the nature of the organisation as to the skills and experience gained. If you fail to provide sufficient detail, including the appropriate dates needed to meet the essential criteria, your application will be rejected.
Libraries NI reserves the right to enhance these criteria at shortlisting stage. If deemed necessary criterion 3 and/or 4 may be enhanced to 5 years.
Closing Date for receipt of applications is 23:59 on Tuesday 26 November 2024
Where a competition identifies more appointable candidates than there are available vacancies, a Reserve List may be created in order of suitability for further appointments within Libraries NI. This may be used for up to 12 months to fill the same or like vacancies with a similar job description and personnel specification and on the same salary scale, without further testing of merit.
LIBRARIES NI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Interview Criteria
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview and will be expected to demonstrate at interview that alongside the person specification criteria they meet the requirements of the Libraries NI Competency Framework i.e.
• Creates vision and gives direction
• Develops, promotes and achieves quality outcomes
• Manages resources and risk
• Develops people
• Understands and builds relationships
• Manages and develops self.
These competences will be used as an integral part of the selection process. Definitions of the competences and illustrative behaviours are set out in the Libraries NI Competency Framework (Page 18 - 24 of the candidate information pack).
Recruitment and Selection Process
Libraries NI operates an online recruitment and selection process.
Completed applications, containing all the relevant information must be submitted online
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application form is fully completed and submitted by the closing date. Incomplete application forms or CVs will not be considered.
It is therefore essential that applicants indicate on their application form how, and to what extent, their qualifications, skills and experience are relevant to the essential criteria outlined.
Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application on or before the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal.
Initial screening
All applications received by the closing date will be screened to check that they have been fully completed and valid. Incomplete application forms will not be considered.
Shortlisting
All valid applications will be considered by the selection panel to determine if they meet the essential shortlisting criteria. The selection panel will assess information provided against each specific criterion as presented on the application form. Applications will first be considered against the essential criteria. Where necessary, enhanced criteria may be applied and/or desirable criterion may be used to shortlist.
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the selection process.
Selection Process**
The selection process will consist of a Presentation followed by an interview carried out by the selection panel and will consist of:
• a PowerPoint presentation on a topic that will be notified to the candidate in the invitation to interview letter. Candidates will be advised about the time limit for the presentation and that the panel will ask questions on the detail of the presentation.
• a series of questions to assess whether the candidate meets the agreed standard in respect of the six key areas identified in the Libraries NI Competency Framework.
Key Recruitment Dates Timetable
The proposed timetable for the selection process is shown below.
Shortlisting: To be confrmed
Selection Process: To be confirmed
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
Employer:
Your employer will be Libraries NI. You will be directly accountable to the Director of Library Services.
Contract:
This appointment is offered on a permanent basis.
The first 26 weeks of service (or a period of extension agreed by Libraries NI) are probationary, at the end of which, subject to a satisfactory performance report, the appointment will be confirmed.
Salary:
£66,767 to £69,915 per annum NJC Points 58 – 61 (under review)
The successful candidate shall normally be placed on the salary range minimum.
Progression through the pay range will be stepped annual incremental progression.
The appointee will be employed on NJC terms and conditions of service. The Joint Negotiating Committee for Local Authorities is responsible for reaching agreement on pay.
Pension Scheme:
Libraries NI will automatically enrol the postholder into the Northern Ireland Local Government Officers Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC) pension scheme. The pension contribution rate is currently 8.5%, linked to salary, which will be deducted from pay. Further information about the pension scheme is available on the NILGOSC website www.nilgosc.org.uk.
Annual leave:
The annual leave entitlement for the post is 28 days per annum increasing to 34 days per annum after 5 years’ service. In addition there are normally 12 public and extra statutory holidays in any leave year.
Hours:
This is a full-time role. The normal hours of work are 36 per week however the post-holder will be required to work the necessary hours to successfully carry out the duties of the job.
Location:
The postholder’s main location will be in a large library within the South and East geographical area and will be subject to consultation with the successful candidate on appointment. The postholder will be expected to spend a proportion of their time at Lisburn City Library, the Headquarters of Libraries NI.
Travel Requirements:
As the role carries regional responsibility, travel across Northern Ireland (and on occasion further afield) will be required in order to attend meetings and fulfil the full range of duties and responsibilities.
Travelling and Subsistence:
Travel expenses at rates approved by Libraries NI will be paid in respect of approved journeys necessary as an employee of Libraries NI.
Relocation Expenses:
Libraries NI may reimburse or contribute towards the costs reasonably incurred in removal and in setting up a new home where it is necessary to do so.
Mobility Clause:
The post will be located in an agreed location, or at any alternative premises as may be reasonably required and may be subject to change following consultation with the postholder.
Pre-Appointment Checks:
Appointment is subject to the completion of satisfactory pre-appointment checks which include:
- Social Media - the Appointment Panel reserves the right to include the applicant's public social media presence
- Provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK
- Provision of original Birth Certificate
- Access NI screening
- Completion of satisfactory pre-employment health screening
- Receipt of two satisfactory references to include current/most recent employer
- Provision of original documentary evidence of qualifications as listed in the eligibility criteria.