Appointment of Certification Officer for Northern Ireland

Applications for this post closed on 17 February 2012. Information about the post is contained below.

Appointment of Certification Officer for Northern Ireland

The Department for Employment and Learning wishes to fill the vacancy of Certification Officer and invites applications from individuals who consider that they have the necessary qualifications and experience for this role. It is anticipated that interviews will take place during the week commencing 16 April 2012 and it is expected that the appointment will be made in May 2012.

The Certification Officer is an independent statutory person. The Certification Officer's functions include maintaining lists of trade unions and employers’ associations, certifying the independence of unions, ensuring that proper accounting records are kept and annual returns are made, overseeing mergers, investigating the financial affairs of unions and employers’ associations and approving political fund rules of Northern Ireland-based unions. The Certification Officer is also responsible for determining complaints concerning trade union elections, certain other ballots, and trade union rules.

This competition will be used to fill any Certification Officer vacancies which may arise within the next twelve months.

Essential Criteria

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate how they meet each of the criteria listed below:

Understanding and experience of industrial relations and trade union/employers’ association organisation
Extensive experience in analysing complex issues and legislation, and making sound decisions on legal matters, based on balanced judgment. A sound knowledge of trade union legislation
Experience of working with trade unions, employers and the legal profession, and ability to impartially run hearings on issues that are in dispute, effectively managing parties’ contributions to these hearings
Commitment and organisational ability to effectively manage competing priorities, whilst meeting time pressures; and experience of effectively managing an annual budget
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present complex information in an accurate but understandable way

Full details of the role and further information on the criteria for the post are available in the Candidate Information Pack.

The post is non-pensionable. The rate of remuneration for the Certification Officer is currently £20,318 per annum (based on two days work per week). The Certification Officer is also eligible to claim allowances, at Northern Ireland Civil Service rates, for travel and subsistence costs necessarily incurred on official business.

The Certification Officer will initially be appointed for a term of five years. Subject to satisfactory performance, the Certification Officer may be offered reappointment at the end of his/her term for a further period of five years.

Expressions of interest

Those who feel they have the relevant skills and experience and could make a positive contribution to the post of Certification Officer should request an application form and information pack. Application forms and information packs are available in Braille, large print and audio formats upon request. These can be obtained as follows:

By writing to:

Public Appointments Unit
Department for Employment and Learning
Room 511
Adelaide House
39/49 Adelaide Street
BELFAST
BT2 8FD.

Or by e-mailing:pau@delni.gov.uk

Or by telephoning: 028 9025 7820

Or by textphone: 028 9025 7410

Application forms should be completed and returned to the above address by 12.00 noon on Friday 17 February 2012. Late applications will not be accepted.

Equality of Opportunity

The Department for Employment and Learning is committed to the principles of public appointments based on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process. The Department is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all individuals. Applications are welcome regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have dependants.