Market Surveillance - Programme Executive

Work Location: Dublin, Dundalk, Cork or Sligo office.

Role Profile:

We have an exciting opportunity in the Campaigns, Compliance Promotion and Stakeholder Engagement Programme, within the Market Surveillance Unit in the Public Sector and Regulatory Programmes Department, which administers and manages several programmes designed to deliver on the Climate Action Plan and to meet statutory regulatory requirements.

The Market Surveillance Unit has been established to provide the Market Surveillance Authority (MSA) function within SEAI for the EU Ecodesign Directive, the EU Energy Labelling Framework Regulation, and the EU Tyre Labelling Regulation (hereafter, “the Regulations”).

Key activities include:

• screening of the market to identify products at risk of noncompliance with the Regulations.

• undertaking detailed compliance assessments, including on occasions, laboratory testing.

• undertaking inspections of retail operations (stores, websites and advertising) to check compliance with the energy and tyre labelling regulations.

• providing guidance and support to economic operators regarding compliance issues.

• using the enforcement powers of the MSA, if required, to ensure compliance.

There is a strong international dimension to the market surveillance work which by its nature requires collaboration with MSAs in other EU Member States and close engagement with the European Commission.

The successful candidate will report to the Programme Manager, Market Surveillance (Campaigns, Compliance Promotion and Stakeholder Engagement), working alongside colleagues in the Unit from the Technical Standards and Enforcement Programme, and Legal Compliance and Governance Programme.

The successful candidate will join an enthusiastic and innovative team who are committed to the high-quality delivery of SEAI’s MSA service.

Occasional national and international travel will be required for this position.

Key Responsibilities, Knowledge and Skills

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the role outlined in this job description are indicative of the currently envisaged scope and may be added to or altered as required, in line with the requirement of SEAI across Business Units/Department.

They will include, but not limited to, the following:

Compliance promotion and communication

• Developing supports to assist economic operators in complying with the Regulations e.g. guidance documents, signposting, and website content.

• Providing technical and legislative support to economic operators with regards to their obligations under the Regulations.

• Contributing to ecodesign, energy labelling and tyre labelling consumer-focussed communications campaigns.

Compliance and enforcement activities

• Leading and managing individual market surveillance cases through their lifecycle under the direction of the programme manager.

• Adhering to the Authorised Officer’s Manual and MSA policies and procedures and ensuring that high levels of confidentiality are observed at all times.

• Obtaining product technical documentation from economic operators (typically manufacturers and importers) and assessing this to verify compliance.

• Occasional attendance at a laboratory (typically overseas) to witness product testing.

• Interpreting the results of testing, in consultation with the MSA Technical Standards and Enforcement Programme.

• Drafting compliance advice and enforcement letters.

• Organising and chairing meetings (typically online) with economic operators to discuss compliance issues.

• Uploading and maintaining case information on the MSA’s Case Management System and on the International Communication System for Market Surveillance (ICSMS).

• Occasional visits to retail outlets to inspect, remove, or purchase consumer products subject to the Regulations.

• Investigating reports of possible non-compliance and utilising the powers of an “Authorised Officer”, when delegated to do so, including removal of products suspected of non-compliance, gathering evidence, interviewing company representatives, and drafting enforcement letters.

• Contributing to the preparation of case files for potential prosecution, including drafting statements and, where appropriately delegated, supporting court proceedings through the provision of evidence.

Stakeholder engagement

• Engaging with industry stakeholders to promote compliance and to ensure SEAI has an up-to-date understanding of compliance issues from an industry perspective, including assisting in the establishment and servicing of industry forums, and organising and delivering webinars and seminars.

• Engagement with MSAs within Ireland and across the EU to include regular online meetings and occasional overseas attendance at EU ‘joint action’ meetings (and project administration in that regard) and other EU engagements as required.

• Engaging with technical staff from EU counterpart MSAs with a view to building and sharing knowledge, identifying synergies, and developing positive and productive working relationships.

Programme coordination, administration and development

• Managing market surveillance product category campaigns.

• Assisting in the planning, development and implementation of compliance promotion, monitoring, verification and enforcement activity.

• Organising laboratory testing of products to include:

o drafting procurement documentation, ensuring that this meets all technical, legislative and corporate requirements

o procuring products for laboratory testing

o storage of products

o consigning products for testing to the laboratory.

• Supporting procurement activity.

• Participating actively in ongoing efforts to continuously improve our service delivery through our Quality Management System.

Team contribution

• Working closely with staff of other programmes comprising the MSA Unit and with the staff of contractors engaged by SEAI to provide market surveillance services, ensuring a seamless and effective service is provided.

• Sharing knowledge and best practice within the team and with other MSAs.

To ensure that activity peaks within the Department are addressed in a proactive manner, it is expected that the candidate appointed to this role will need to be flexible in terms of working hours during these periods.

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Knowledge & Skills

The knowledge and skills required include but are not limited to the following:

• Knowledge of EU product harmonisation legislation and approach.

• Technical knowledge in respect of household and professional electrical appliances (e.g. ovens, refrigerating appliances, dishwashers, washing machines, and tumble dryers, etc) would be an advantage.

• The ability to understand and interpret complex and technical legislation, particularly of the nature pertaining to the EU Ecodesign and energy labelling regulations.

• Experience of enforcement.

• A capacity to foster positive working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.

• The role involves handling commercially sensitive information - a high degree of personal integrity is required including the ability to observe high levels of confidentiality at all times.

• A strong focus on delivering high quality services to internal and external customers.

• Excellent attention to detail.

• Good problem solving and analytical skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to represent SEAI in a public forum.

• A good team player – this role involves close cooperation with others in a team comprising SEAI staff and contractors.

• Ability to multitask, manage competing demands and work effectively to deadlines.

• A self-starter with initiative and dynamism.

• A good command of the Microsoft Office suite including in particular Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Experience and Qualifications

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• An honours degree (a minimum of NFQ Level 8 or greater) in a Mechanical / Electrical Engineering, or an Energy or Environmental related discipline.

• A minimum of 3 years’ directly relevant experience working in a comparable role with enforcement responsibilities.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills (including report writing, presenting, public speaking) with an ability to communicate complex concepts to non-technical audiences.

• Full Driving Licence as site visits will be required.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Technical knowledge in respect of household and professional electrical appliances (e.g. ovens, refrigerating appliances, dishwashers, washing machines, and tumble dryers, etc).

• Previous experience working within the energy efficiency or related sectors.

• Experience of working in the public sector.

• Proven attention to detail.

• Excellent team-player skills and flexibility.

• Proficiency in the Irish Language.

• Experience or knowledge of delivering positive customer experiences.

Tenure:

This position will be offered on a 5-year Fixed Term contract basis.

Salary Payment Arrangements:

The Level D salary scale for this position effective from 1st February 2026 is as follows: €52,546 to €77,285 (inclusive of one Long Service Increment (LSI1) which applies after three years additional service at Max of grade). Incremental progression will be subject to satisfactory performance.

Important Note:

Candidates should note that entry will be at the first point of the scale and the rate of remuneration, including incremental progression, will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.

Different terms and conditions may apply if you are currently a serving civil or public servant.

Location:

The place of work will be based at one of the SEAI offices as listed on cover page. SEAI offer the option to work in a hybrid working arrangement, in line with the SEAI Blended Working Policy. SEAI reserves the right, at its discretion, to change working location within reason on any future date.

Blended Working Arrangements:

As an employer, SEAI operates a blended working policy that facilitates access to remote working options having regard to work-life balance/integration, mental health, and the need for a safe and productive working environment. Blended working arrangements will be operated under SEAI’s Blended Working Policy, which currently requires staff to work from the office a minimum of two (2) days per week. Availability and patterns of blended working will be based on business needs and the suitability of the role and may be subject to change should the business needs dictate.