Apple Recruitment are recruiting for a Principal Assembly Usher (Operational Planning and Business Support) on behalf of the NI Assembly.

This role is temporary for 6 months with possibility of extension. The hourly rate is based on £44,039.

Job Description:

The main duties and responsibilities of the post include:

Leadership

• Acting as a member of the Security and Usher Services management team, with overall responsibility for leading and managing forward workforce and resource planning.
• Leading, managing and developing staff to deliver objectives.
• Overseeing and managing administrative support within the Security and Usher Services office, including coordinating priorities, service standards, workloads and delivery.
• Setting clear priorities and standards, addressing performance and operational issues, and supporting staff development.
• Promote the Assembly Commission’s Corporate Values and lead by example.
• Participate in and contribute to corporate and Directorate projects.

Business Support, Planning and Governance

• Preparing and maintaining standing orders, forward operational plans and procedures, ensuring that forecast staffing and deployment requirements respond to changing business and operational priorities.
• Leading the development, assurance and continuous improvement of workforce-planning tools used to forecast demand, record staffing capacity and support evidence-based deployment decisions, including consideration of appropriate technology and future resource-planning solutions.
• Overseeing the ongoing development and management of the Assembly ID pass system, postal service and lost-property operation.
• Ensuring that Security and Usher Services activities within the post-holder’s area of responsibility comply with data protection legislation, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.
• Preparing Information Security and Information Assurance material for the Deputy Head of Security and Usher Services including the management of information and records.
• Assisting in the development of business cases and specifications for procurement exercises and participate on evaluation panels.
• Assisting with the management of contracts to ensure full compliance with the contract, ensuring value for money and managing any failure promptly and in accordance with the conditions of contract.
• Preparing budgetary material for the Deputy Head of Security and Usher Services,
• Participating in the management of Security and Usher Services projects.
• Assisting in the development and management of business continuity plans.
• Complying with all Assembly Commission staff policies and procedures, including Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies and procedures, and completing all mandatory training.

Operational Planning and Delivery

• Leading forward operational and workforce planning for Security and Usher Services resources required to support Assembly plenary sittings, Committee meetings and other Assembly business, including forecasting demand, assessing available capacity and preparing resource and deployment plans for operational delivery.
• Providing on-call supervision on a rostered basis.
• Standing in for the Principal Assembly Usher (Operations) in their absence and providing operational leadership as required, including resolving competing demands and adapting deployment arrangements when circumstances change.
• Assisting with the oversight and management of the Assembly’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) system at Parliament Buildings.
• Contribute to the development of training sessions and delivering training for staff and service users.

The post-holder will also carry out any other duties that the Assembly Commission may reasonably
require.

Given the operational nature of the role, on-site working is essential. The post-holder will participate in an on-call rota and must be available to provide operational leadership and make decisions outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, public holidays and privilege holidays, as required.

If you wish to apply or would like more information, please email your CV in Microsoft word format to Caroline by clicking on the link below by 10am on Thursday 5th November 2026.
You must also include a bullet pointed synopsis at the top of your CV demonstrating how exactly you meet the Essential Criteria below:

Applicants must, by the closing date for applications, have:

1. At least a primary degree, with a minimum 2.2 classification, in any subject, or a formal
qualification of an equivalent or higher standard;

AND

2. At least three years’ experience in each of the areas a) – d):
a) managing, supervising and developing staff with responsibility for both operational planning and the delivery of operational security services, together with associated general office administration.
Managing

b) Leading or contributing to operational workforce planning, including planning and organising a diverse workload to respond to changing priorities.

c) Analysing and interpreting information from a range of sources, including staffing, demand, budgets, contracts and management reports, prepare high-quality written documents, and support well-judged operational-planning and resource decisions.

d) effectively using Microsoft Office applications to analyse and manage information, prepare high-quality documents and reports, and support the delivery of a high-quality service.

OR

3. At least five years’ experience in each of the areas detailed at a) – d) above.

Further Details:

• Hourly Rate based on £44,039 per annum
• Estimated start date: ASAP
• 6 months, potential extension.
• Closing date for CV submission to Apple: 10am on Thursday 5th November 2026
• Date for informal discussion: TBC
• No hybrid working

If you wish to apply or would like more information, please email your CV in Microsoft word format to Caroline by clicking on the link below by 10am on Thursday 5th November 2026.
Applicants must ensure their CV is accurate and up to date. The CV should include your full employment history inclusive of dates, all academic achievements and full personal contact details.
Please note only applicants that match this criteria can be considered for the role.
Apple Recruitment Services is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy. Apple
Recruitment Services is an Equal Opportunities Employer.