PERSON SPECIFICATION
Applicants must provide evidence that, by the closing date, they meet the following criteria:
Essential
Qualifications:
1. A third level qualification or higher and at least two years’ experience of managing staff and resources.
OR
a minimum of four years’ relevant experience of managing staff and resources .
Experience:
2. A minimum of one years’ experience in supporting the development or delivery of library services within the last six years
3. Experience of liaising/working with internal and/or external stakeholders to achieve service objectives
4. Experience of managing and implementing change to meet organisational objectives
5. Experience of promoting and improving customer service to enhance the customer experience.
Other Requirements and Constraints:
6. Applicants must have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Libraries NI business) or other suitable form of transport which will enable the successful candidate to fulfil the requirements of the post to the satisfaction of Libraries NI.
7. Ability to work a mix of mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends both at base and in other service points as required.
8. Have no criminal record which would prevent working with children or adults at risk.
Desirable
1. A professional library qualification
The above essential criteria will be used for shortlisting purposes. If deemed necessary essential criteria 1 and/or 2 may be enhanced and/or Desirable may be used for shortlisting.
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, normally within the same location/department without further testing of merit.
LIBRARIES NI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
It is essential that candidates 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 the 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.
SHORTLISTING
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the 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 and/or desirable criteria may be applied.
Only shortlisted candidates will be called to the next stage of the selection process.
SELECTION PROCESS
There will be a two stage selection process which will include a written task and an interview.
In addition to meeting the essential and, if applicable, desirable criteria, candidates will be expected to demonstrate during the selection process their Knowledge and Skills in the following Key Areas and draw on their Personal Qualities to support their answers.
Key Areas:
• Customer Service
• Increasing Participation and Widening Access
• Staff
• Resources, Systems and Premises
• Policy, Procedures and Governance
Examples of the Knowledge & Skills and Personal Qualities to be demonstrated across the range of Key Areas will include but not limited to:
• excellent interpersonal, customer care and people management skills
• excellent communication skills – oral and written
• ability to interpret statistical information in a business context
• awareness of wider political, economic and social context as it impacts on library services
• knowledge of books and reading, library resources and ICT applications in a library context
• good presentation skills and ability to deliver training
• good analytical and problem solving skills
• good organisational and planning skills including the ability to prioritise and manage a range of tasks within deadlines
• proficient in the use of MS Office and library specific software
• awareness of Libraries NI governance structures and policies
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This is a temporary appointment. The successful candidate will be employed on NJC terms and conditions of service and membership of the Northern Ireland Local Government Pension Scheme is automatic for persons eligible to join. Further information about pensions is available on the NILGOSC website www.nilgosc.org.uk
Annual Leave entitlement for the full leave year is 24 days increasing to 31 days after five years’ service. In addition, there are usually 12 statutory holidays.
Where applicable the appointment will be subject to satisfactory completion of all procedural and pre-employment checks.
Where applicable the successful candidate will be subject to a probationary period of six months.
An unpaid meal break of 30 minutes will normally be taken by employees who are contracted to work 4 hours or more per day.
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.
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 post holder.
Excess Fares
If you are an employee of Libraries NI and in receipt of excess fares, this provision will cease on appointment.