Framework for Temporary Workers
Framework Description
The Northern Ireland Assembly Commission's Framework for Temporary Workers is a 48-month, multi-supplier agreement for agency staff to fill short-term vacancies at the Assembly. It runs to 10 June 2030 with no extension. Appointed agencies act as the employer of every worker they supply, and places on the framework were allocated by tender score and supporting evidence.
Context & Use Case
The Commission uses it to cover peaks in workload, maternity leave and other short-term gaps across its staff grades. Appointed agencies find, vet and place workers, handle payroll, tax, National Insurance and pensions, and manage performance, attendance, conduct and grievances during each assignment, so the Commission's own HR team is not carrying that load.
Scope of Services
Recruitment of temporary workers across Assembly grades Pre-placement checks and vetting Employment of agency workers Payroll, tax, National Insurance and pensions Performance, attendance, conduct and grievance management Associated administration
Lots
Yes: Lots based on highest scoring tender responses and supporting evidence
Who Can Apply
Suits recruitment agencies with experience of placing temporary staff in public sector settings, and with strong vetting and payroll processes. Applications for this framework are closed until June 2030, so agencies not appointed cannot join now and should prepare for the re-tender.
Buyer Benefits
The Commission gets workers quickly without taking on employer obligations, while the agency carries the vetting, payroll and HR risk. Because temporary staff work inside a parliament, vetting quality matters as much as speed, so agencies with thorough checks and reliable placements stand out.
Next Steps
Agencies already on the framework should keep a pool of vetted candidates mapped to the Assembly's grading structure and track fill rates and time to fill. Others cannot join during its term, so plan for the re-tender, likely around 10 June 2030. Watch Find a Tender for the new notice and build evidence of public sector temporary placements, vetting and payroll compliance.
How Athena Can Help
For the next tender, Athena's recruitment tender writers can set out your vetting, payroll and compliance processes against the Commission's criteria, then run a Bid Health Check to find weak answers before submission.
Our staffing framework search finds other temporary labour frameworks in Northern Ireland and across the UK that are open or due to open, and our Procurement Act bidding advice helps you decide which to pursue and set margins that stay profitable.
