ELECTORAL OFFICE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND APPLICANT INFORMATION ELECTION STAFF (RESERVES) EONI is an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all Section 75 groups regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, people with or without dependants, political opinion, religion or sexual orientation. 1
CONTENTS Page Introduction & Background 3 Area Office - Locations 4 Job Description / Application 5 Conflict of Interest / Vetting 8 2
INTRODUCTION The arrangements for electoral administration in Northern Ireland (NI) are different from elsewhere in the UK. The system in NI is administered centrally by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) who is a statutory office holder independent of Government. He is assisted by the staff of the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland (EONI), the administrative structure that supports him in the discharge of his duties. In addition to permanent staff employed, EONI employs approximately 4,500 temporary staff to conduct polling day and for the counting of votes. Without the assistance of the temporary staff employed we would not be able to run elections successfully. Further information about EONI can be obtained on our website at www.eoni.org.uk BACKGROUND There are approximately 600 polling places consisting of approximately 1,400 polling stations (ballot boxes) throughout Northern Ireland. Polling stations are open to voters from 7.00am to 10.00pm. Poll staff are responsible for setting up and opening the polling station on time and managing the polling station throughout the day. After the close of poll the polling station returns and ballot boxes are taken to count centres across NI. Support count staff carry out duties at the count venue under the direction of a supervisor which may include receiving/processing/moving ballot boxes, ballot papers, count documentation and car parking arrangements including directing vehicles, checking admission lists etc. The Electoral Office for NI wishes to expand their current list of staff to ensure a sufficient number of reserve staff are available to work at polling stations and count venues to cover any last minute staff vacancies. 3
LOCATIONS OF AREA OFFICES EONI Headquarters is based at St Anne s House, 15 Church Street, Belfast. AREA ELECTORAL OFFICE CONSTITUENCIES 20 Queen Street LONDONDERRY BT48 7EQ FOYLE EAST LONDONDERRY 1-3 Portland Avenue, Glengormley BALLYMENA (Relocated) NORTH ANTRIM MID ULSTER 21 Kevlin Avenue OMAGH BT78 1ER WEST TYRONE FERMANAGH & SOUTH TYRONE 52 Bridge Street BANBRIDGE BT32 3JU UPPER BANN NEWRY & ARMAGH As Banbridge above SOUTH DOWN LAGAN VALLEY 1-3 Portland Avenue, Glengormley NEWTOWNABBEY BT36 5EY EAST ANTRIM / SOUTH ANTRIM BELFAST NORTH 15 Church Street, Belfast NEWTOWNARDS (Relocated) STRANGFORD/ NORTH DOWN BELFAST EAST 15 Church Street BELFAST BT1 1ER BELFAST WEST BELFAST SOUTH 4
JOB DESCRIPTION The gross fee for a poll clerk is 205 which includes travel to and from your polling station and for attendance at a mandatory poll staff training session which lasts for approximately two hours, in advance of polling day. The minimum gross fee for count staff is 120 for 4 hours worked inclusive of travel and subsistence. A gross fee of 30 per hour (inclusive of travel and subsistence) or part thereof is payable to staff who are required to work after this time. Part hours worked will be rounded up to the nearest quarter hour. Please note: gross fee refers to the payment before the deduction of income tax if applicable. The key responsibilities of poll staff are to: be at the polling station at least 30 minutes before opening and assist with the setup and layout of the polling station in preparation for the opening of the polling station; write the correct ward and elector number on the Corresponding Number list (CNL) against the ballot paper number to be issued; ensure only one ballot paper is removed from the ballot book and passed to the Presiding Officer for issue; provide cover for the Presiding Officer when required; assist the Presiding Officer in ensuring that voters cast their vote in secret and maintain the secrecy of the ballot at all times; answer voters queries in an impartial, friendly and businesslike manner; ensure the polling station is kept tidy at all times; remain at the polling station at least 30 minutes after the close of poll to assist with the necessary close of poll procedures; clear and tidy the polling station area as instructed by the Presiding officer; carry out any other polling station duties as required. This post requires you to work approx 16 hours Polling station staff are not permitted to leave the premises during the hours of poll therefore all staff are required to bring their own refreshments and take appropriate breaks, as directed by the Presiding Officer and/or Polling Station Manager. 5
The key responsibilities of support count staff may include any of the following: counting, sort documentation, and sundries returned from the polling stations; control and direct traffic at the count centre move ballot boxes, ballot papers and count documentation as required refrain from engaging in conversations with candidates, agents and observers checking and sorting polling station returns, verification of the unused ballot papers any other count assistant related duties as required. Personal Attributes for Election Staff Good communication skills and ability to follow strict instructions; Good personal presentation and commitment to customer care; Good administration/organisational skills and attention to detail; Team player and flexible attitude; Punctual and reliable; Work effectively as part of a team. Essential Criteria 2 GCSE s at Grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics or equivalent; (Copies of your qualifications should be returned with the application form). Flexibility to work at any location within a reasonable travelling distance of home. Requirements of the position 1. All staff will be required to maintain secrecy and must not stand as a candidate at the election; work (either paid or voluntary) for any political party or candidate, or sign the nomination paper of any candidate(s). Staff must not have been convicted of an offence under electoral law. 2. Mobility - You may, at the DRO s discretion, be required to change your polling place of work at short notice for operational reasons, within a reasonable travelling distance. If you are therefore appointed and accept a position as a Poll Clerk, and you have access to transport, you will be given additional financial assistance for excess travel if you move polling station at the request of EONI. If you have valid business cover on your car insurance policy you will be paid at the rate of 45p per mile. If you do not have business cover you will be paid at the rate of 25.7 p per mile. Mileage will be paid on receipt of a complete insurance declaration form available from your Area Electoral Office. 6
Submitting your application The application form is designed to ensure that applicants provide the necessary information to determine how they meet the requirements for the post. Applicants must not reformat electronic application forms. CVs, letters, additional pages or supplementary material will not be accepted. EONI will not accept incomplete application forms or any application where we are asked to pay any shortfall in postage. EONI monitors applications for employment in term of community background, sex, disability and race. This information is regarded as part of your application and failure to fully complete and return this part of the application will result in disqualification. EONI reserves the right to consider for employment only those who appear from the information supplied to be the best suited, particular in light of resources available. Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form Please note, this form is regarded as part of any application and failure to complete and return it will result in disqualification. The Electoral Office for NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer. 7
CONFLICT OF INTEREST Applicants must declare personal interests where there is, or could be perceived to be, a conflict of interest between their duties as employee and their membership of a particular organisation. Applicants must not be a member of any organisation or society which might be construed as a potential conflict of interest or have any employment background, or personal connections, current or previous, which if you were appointed might give rise to public speculation including: Obtained office as a MP, MEP, member of the Assembly, local Councillor or other political office. Stood as a candidate for one of the above offices. Spoken on behalf of a party or candidate. Acted as a political agent. Held office such as Chair, Treasurer or Secretary of a local branch of a party. Canvassed on behalf of a party/candidate or helped at elections. Work (either paid or voluntary) for any political party or candidate, or sign the nomination paper of any candidate(s). Applicants must not have been convicted of an offence under electoral law. Undertaken any other political activity which may be considered relevant. Nationality requirements EONI must ensure that you are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom. Applicants must be either: (i) A UK national; or (ii) A Commonwealth citizen; or (iii) A British Protected Person; or (iv) An EEA national; or (v) A Swiss National; or (vi) A person who is not an EEA or Swiss national, but is a family member of an EEA national who has moved to the UK from another EEA Member State for an approved purpose. For further guidance on nationality requirements and advice on entitlement to work may be obtained from the Home Office website www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk. 8
Pre-employment vetting It is EONI policy that all staff produce sufficient documentation to satisfy nationality and identity requirements. Further details regarding acceptable documents will be issued with any offer letter of appointment. Changes in personal circumstances Applicants must ensure that EONI is informed immediately of any changes in personal circumstances e.g. change of address, availability, conviction. THIS APPLICANT INFORMATION DOES NOT FORM PART OF CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT HR SECTION Electoral Office for NI 3 rd floor St Anne s House 15 Church Street Belfast BT1 1ER Tel No. 02890 446671 www.eoni.org.uk. Copies in alternative formats can also be made available on request from the Information Officer on 02890446688 or email info@eoni.org.uk. 9