Candidate Information

Booklet

CENSUS ENUMERATORS

Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)

Department of Finance (DoF)

IRC239771

Completed Application Forms must be returned to

HRConnect no later than 12 noon (UK time) on Friday 10 May 2019

Please retain a copy of this booklet for

your reference throughout the selection process

Annex B 15

Northern Ireland Statistics and Research

Agency (NISRA)

Department of Finance (DoF)

Contents

Page Foreword 3 Background 4 Key Responsibilities 9 Summary of Terms and Conditions 11 Eligibility Criteria 13 Selection Process 14 Guidance for applicants 16 General Information 17

Communication between HRConnect and you HRConnect will issue electronically as many competition communications as possible, you should therefore check your email account, including junk mail folders, to make sure that you don’t miss any important communications in relation to this competition. There may, however, still be a necessity to issue some correspondence by hard copy mail.

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FOREWORD The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), which incorporates the General Register Office (GRO) is an Executive Agency within the Department of Finance (DoF). NISRA is the principal source of official statistics and social research on Northern Ireland. NISRA is responsible for the Census of Population and Housing. The Census is the most important single source of information about the size and condition of the country’s most valuable resource – its population. Information about NISRA, and in particular the Census, can be obtained on the Agency’s website at www.nisra.gov.uk/statistics/census If you require any further information, please contact Census Office on 028 90255156 or email 2021.census.recruitment.payroll@nisra.gov.uk

Dr David Marshall Director of Census and Population Statistics

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BACKGROUND

The Census is the largest and most complex statistical exercise undertaken in Northern Ireland. Results from the census are highly valued by government departments, local government, private sector organisations, academia and the public as they provide a rich and valuable source of information. The next Census is planned for 2021. Detailed planning is being undertaken to ensure its successful delivery. A fundamental part of this planning is a rehearsal, which provides a large-scale test of all operational processes and systems for the main census. The census rehearsal will take place on 13 October 2019 and will be managed by Census Office within NISRA. The census rehearsal is particularly important given the major changes from the last Census in 2011. An important issue is the plan to depart from a paper-based census to primarily online census (although paper questionnaires will still be available for those that need them). The areas selected for the rehearsal are in South/East Belfast, Craigavon and Fermanagh. The specific areas are outlined in the maps below. A field force of around 50 staff will be required to cover the 20,000 households. Six locally based Census Team Co-ordinators (CTCs) are required to each manage a team of Enumerators and co-ordinate field operations in their designated rehearsal area, which comprises a number of smaller enumeration districts (EDs).

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SOUTH/EAST BELFAST

© Crown Copyright NIMA MOU207.2 (2011)

6

CRAIGAVON

© Crown Copyright NIMA MOU207.2 (2011)

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FERMANAGH

© Crown Copyright NIMA MOU207.2 (2011)

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Location and Numbers of Enumerator Posts

Census Rehearsal Area

Number of Enumerators

required South/East Belfast

13

Craigavon

16

Fermanagh

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You will be required to complete the application form by detailing the specific census rehearsal area you wish to work in. Please note you may only apply for one census rehearsal area. If successful, you will then be appointed to an appropriate Enumeration District (ED) within that area. In the event that applications for a census rehearsal area are undersubscribed, successful applicants may be approached to ask if they would consider working in a different area to their chosen one. The following diagram illustrates the organisational structure of the field force which will carry out the census rehearsal on a day-to-day basis: -

Census Regional Manager

(CRM)

6 xCensus Team

Co-ordinators (CTC)

47 xCensus Enumerators

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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES As an Enumerator for the census rehearsal, you will work from home and carry out enumeration duties in your allotted Enumeration District (ED). This will include carrying out an address check of all properties, supporting the postal delivery of questionnaires to households, identifying and recording new addresses, delivering questionnaires to those addresses, undertaking field visit requests from members of the public and, after census rehearsal day, following up all households from which a questionnaire has not been received. The job, by its nature, is flexible and will require making contact with members of the public at their own homes, during evenings and weekends. You will report directly to a Census Team Co-ordinator (CTC). MAIN DUTIES The main duties and responsibilities will include: • preparation for training by completing self-study, completing tests and

studying the enumerator guidance, attending training courses as required; • undertaking an address check of your allotted Enumeration District (ED)

and updating records to reflect any changes;

• delivering census questionnaires to all new addresses (those not appearing on the census address register) and small residential establishments as agreed with CTC (Note: in some EDs there may be a requirement for Enumerators to hand deliver household questionnaires rather than have Royal Mail deliver them);

• encouraging householder participation with the census rehearsal,

reassuring those who express concern about or have difficulty in completing the questionnaire and providing assistance where necessary;

• responding to requests for field visits from the public as directed by the

CTC; • undertaking follow-up visits to non-responding households and recording

outcomes on the Field Work Management Tool, and hand-delivering additional questionnaires where necessary;

• assisting with follow-up phase in neighbouring EDs as directed by CTC; • providing field management information to the CTC within required

timescales; • completing all census work to the agreed performance objectives and

timescales; • completion of relevant records, pay and expenses forms by appropriate

deadlines;

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• completion of post enumeration tasks and evaluation questionnaires within

the required timescales;

• attending evaluation workshop;

• ensuring the confidentiality and security of census information at all times (applicants should be aware that census data cannot leave the UK); and

• any other duties as directed by your Census Team Co-ordinator.

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SUMMARY OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS The Terms and Conditions of your employment have been specifically developed to reflect the fact that this position is for a fixed and short term period. You will be employed under non-standard NICS terms and conditions. PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT Enumerators will be appointed on a fixed term contract from 09 September 2019 until 29 November 2019. LOCATION The census rehearsal will be carried out within the following designated areas: South/East Belfast Craigavon Fermanagh See pages 5 - 7 FEE You will be employed on a fee pay basis and receive a total fee payment of £1,000 (gross), paid in monthly installments (the amount paid each month may vary). Your first payment will be made at the end of October 2019. EXPENSES You will be entitled to appropriate travel expenses for journeys made in relation to official census rehearsal business within your designated census rehearsal area and for travel to/from any training events. You will not be entitled to claim subsistence. PENSIONS In line with the provisions of the Pensions Act 2008, consideration will be given to enrolment into a workplace pension scheme. WORKING HOURS You will be required to work approximately 90 hours during the period of employment. The job and the working hours are flexible by their nature, and focus on the completion of key tasks by a particular deadline. This will often require work to be carried out during evenings and weekends, although you will not be required to work Sundays. ANNUAL LEAVE ENTITLEMENT Holiday entitlement will be calculated and rolled up in the total fee. Full Terms and Conditions will be issued at the tim e of appointment.

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FURTHER INFORMATION Applicants must:

a) be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in order

to maintain accurate records, discuss the benefits of the census rehearsal and encourage householders to complete and return their questionnaires;

b) be prepared to use their home (or other appropriate UK residence) for

safe and secure storage of census supplies, and possibly handle boxes of materials (maximum weight 14kg per box);

c) have access to a form of transport that will permit them to meet the requirements of the post in full. They must also ensure that, prior to using a motor vehicle for Census Rehearsal related work, they have a full driving licence that enables them to drive in Northern Ireland, and be prepared to sign a Mileage Insurance Declaration and Undertaking form, declaring that their insurance arrangements cover their motor vehicle for business purposes;

d) have access to a computer/laptop to complete on-line training, and be competent in using a tablet and/or smart phone with associated ‘apps’;

e) ensure that all tasks, including the safe return of equipment, are successfully completed in line with agreed performance objectives; failure to do so may result in the final fee payment being reduced or withheld;

f) be prepared to sign the Census Confidentiality Undertaking. AVAILABILITY There are specific dates when Enumerators MUST be available. (See table below – dates and times may be subject to change). Date

Time

Reason

Mon 09/09/19 6pm – 9pm Enumerator Appointment & Briefing Session

Thurs 19/09/19

6pm-9pm Enumerator Training

Tues 15/10/19 6pm – 9pm Enumerator Follow-up Training

Wed 27/11/19 6pm – 9pm Enumerator debrief/evaluation event

Annual leave entitlement will be taken during the non-operational period of the contract from 18 November – 26 November 2019.

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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Applicants must, by the closing date for applications:

1. Confirm they are resident in the UK, or using an address in the UK for the purpose of carrying out census rehearsal duties. In either case, applicants must provide full details of that address in their application;

2. Confirm they have access to a form of transport that will permit them to meet the requirements of the post in full (depending on the area, some enumerators will have larger geographical areas to cover than others);

3. Confirm they have basic level of competence in using a smart phone and/or tablet and associated apps.

PERSON SPECIFICATION While no additional knowledge or skills are required – Enumerators will receive all necessary training following appointment – these posts are best suited to people with the following qualities: • good inter-personal skills – tactfulness, patience, discretion, courteous,

pleasant, helpful; • good communication skills – confidence in dealing with a wide variety of

people; • good organisational skills – the ability to plan, organise and deliver work

to agreed performance objectives and timescales; • the ability to pay attention to detail and show determination in completing

tasks; and • be self-motivated, be able to work on their own as well as part of a team.

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SELECTION PROCESS There are two stages to the selection process:

• an online aptitude test • an informal individual Question & Answer session

STAGE 1 – ONLINE APTITUDE TEST – ALL APPLICANTS The first stage of the assessment process will be the completion of 3 aptitude tests which will be completed online via the internet. All applicants are required to provide an email address on their application form for this purpose. The online test will test the following elements:

• Verbal - assesses your ability to organise written material in the way that makes the most sense.

• Checking and Accuracy - assesses how quickly and accurately you can spot mistakes in information.

• Following Procedures and Basic Calculations - assesses your ability to follow rules and apply criteria, and to do calculations correctly.

Applicants will receive an email containing a link to the online test. Please check your email and junk mail folders during this time to ensure you receive the email. The email will include full instructions on how to complete the online test. You will also have the opportunity to complete some practice questions before taking the test. If you do not receive an e-mail within 1 week of the competition closing, you should contact HRConnect by e-mail (recruitment@hrconnect.nigov.net) quoting the competition title and reference number. The time allowed for the tests is as follows:

• Verbal – 25 minutes • Checking and Accuracy – 20 minutes • Following Procedures and Basic Calculations – 20 minutes.

This gives a total of 65 minutes. The 3 tests need to be completed at one sitting. To complete the online assessment, applicants will require a computer which has an internet connection and a modern web browser installed. We would suggest that you do not use tablets or phones to complete the assessments. It is ESSENTIAL that you use the online Familiarisation material provided with the assessment link to check that your browser and the internet connection that you intend to take the live test on are compatible with the online tests. If the Familiarisation materials work well on your IT, then you can be assured that the live tests will work well too. It is very important that you access the

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Familiarisation materials using the computer and internet connection that you intend to take the live test on WELL BEFORE the deadline of the tests. For best results we recommend the online assessment is completed in a test-like environment. Any possible distractions should be turned off, for example mobile phones, TV, music etc. Concentration is needed throughout the assessment, so if you are completing it at home or work, ensure other people are aware they should not disturb you until you are finished. Note no responsibility can be accepted for any issues arising from where you choose to sit the tests. Applicants will have until 17:00 on Friday 31 st May 2019 to complete the online test. Following the closing date for the online tests, the top performing applicants will proceed to the next stage. Stage 2 - Question & Answer session The second stage of the selection process will include a brief, informal individual Question & Answer session with a member of the Census Rehearsal Team, and the checking of identity and security documents. It is anticipated that this will take place at the end of June 2019. Following Stage 2, successful candidates will be invited to an Appointment and Briefing Session on 09th September 2019. At this session you will be appointed to an individual Enumeration District (ED).

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GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS

Application Form Please refer to the Candidate Information Booklet before completing an application and retain a copy for your reference. The application form is designed to ensure that applicants provide the necessary information to determine how they meet the competition requirements and the eligibility criteria. All parts of the application form must be completed by the applicant before this application can be considered. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. Please note: • The space available on the application form is the same for all applicants

and must not be altered. • Any supplementary material in place of, or in addition to, completed

application forms will not be accepted. • All applications must be received by the advertised closing date and time. • Information in support of your application will not be accepted after the

closing date for receipt of applications. • HRConnect will not examine applications until after the closing deadline. • Do not use acronyms, complex technical detail etc. Write for the reader

who may not know your employer, your branch or your job. • When completing the online application, your information is saved as you

move through the pages. You may leave the application at any time, providing you have clicked on the 'Save & Continue' button. Once your application has been submitted the option to edit will no longer be available.

• The session timeout for the online application is 40 minutes, if you do not save or change page within this time you will automatically be logged out and any unsaved work will be lost.

• You must click SUBMIT once you have finished your online application. You will receive an acknowledgement e-mail. Please contact HRConnect if you do not receive an acknowledgement e-mail within 24 hours.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

The Merit Principle In accordance with the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Code, appointments to the NICS are made under the ‘merit principle’, where the best person for any given post is selected in fair and open competition. Further information on the Civil Service Commissioners can be found at www.nicscommissioners.org. Order of Merit The selection panel will assess candidates against the interview criteria. Those candidates who meet the required standard(s) and pass mark will be deemed suitable for appointment. The selection panel will then list those suitable for appointment in order of merit, within each area, with the highest scoring applicant ranked first. Changes in personal circumstances Please ensure HRConnect are informed immediately of any changes in personal circumstances. It is important that HRConnect have up to date contact details. Communication between HRConnect and you HRConnect will issue electronically as many competition communications as possible, you should therefore check your email account to make sure that you don’t miss any important communications in relation to this competition. There may, however, still be a necessity to issue some correspondence by hard copy mail. Transgender Requirements Should you currently be going through a phase of transition in respect of gender and wish this to be taken into consideration, in confidence, to enable you to attend any part of the assessment process please contact HRConnect. Details of this will only be used for this purpose and do not form any part of the selection process. Disability Requirements We will ask on the application form if you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to attend any part of the assessment process. Details of any disability are only used for this purpose and do not form any part of the selection process. If you have indicated on your application that you have a disability and are successful in the selection process and are being considered for appointment, you may be required to outline any

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adjustments you consider necessary in order for you to take up an appointment. If you wish to discuss your disability requirements further, please contact HRConnect. Documentation It is HRConnect policy that all candidates invited to attend for assessment bring sufficient documentation to satisfy the Nationality and Security requirements. Further details regarding acceptable documentation will be issued with an invitation to attend for assessment. You should ensure that these documents are readily available. Right to Work and Nationality Requirements

The Enumerators posts are classified as Non-Public Service and as such HRConnect must ensure that you are legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom and satisfy the Nationality requirements for appointment to the post. 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.

Further guidance on Nationality requirements is available via www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk Security 1. Baseline Personnel Security Standard For Enumerators the level of vetting is a Baseline Standard. For this check you will be required to provide the following: a) Your passport OR b) A document verifying your permanent National Insurance number (e.g.

P45, P60 or National Insurance card) AND your birth certificate which includes the names of your parents (long version).

c) Other acceptable documents are listed on www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk d) A specimen signature at any assessment event and have this validated

against passport, driving licence, application form etc. Further information regarding the Baseline Personnel Security standard, including other acceptable documents is available via https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-baseline-personnel-security-standard

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We will organise a Criminal Record Check on all applicants to be carried out by AccessNI. The category of AccessNI check required for this post is; Basic Disclosure Certificate . You should not put off applying for a post because you have a conviction. We deal with all criminal record information in a confidential manner, and information relating to convictions is destroyed after a decision is made. The AccessNI code of practice can be accessed via www.accessni.gov.uk. Those applicants who are being considered for appointment will be contacted by HRConnect, normally after interview/test, and will be asked to complete the AccessNI application form. Please note that a request to complete this form should not be seen as a guarantee of an offer of appointment. Failure to complete the application form and return it within the specified time will be regarded as ‘no longer interested in the position’ and your application will be withdrawn. Criminal Record information is subject to the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (NI) Order 1978. Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form Please note, this form is regarded as part of your application and failure to complete and return it will result in disqualifi cation. For guidance on completing the Monitoring Form and to read the NICS Equal Opportunities Policy Statement please refer to the DoF website www.finance-ni.gov.uk. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Oppo rtunities Employer . All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit. Feedback The Northern Ireland Civil Service is committed to ensuring that the processes used to recruit and select staff are fair and in accordance with the principles of the Civil Service Commissioners Code. We are consequently committed to providing feedback in respect of decisions taken in determining eligibility/shortlisting as well as at interview. Feedback in respect of eligibility/shortlisting will be communicated automatically to those candidates who fail to satisfy any criteria. All requests for feedback are welcome.

THIS INFORMATION PACK DOES NOT FORM PART OF CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

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Contact details: If you have any queries regarding the competition process please contact HRConnect at: Email: Recruitment@HRConnect.nigov.net Tel: 0800 1 300 330