Technical and Scientific Chemical Policy Advisor (Principal Officer)

Why consider this role?

This role is designed to assist in the preparation and execution of Ireland’s EU Presidency in the areas of Chemicals Policy and Legislation. The successful candidate will be employed by the Health and Safety Authority and will be seconded to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for the duration of the contract term.

The Technical and Scientific Chemical Policy Advisor will be able to bring their knowledge and skills in the area of chemicals to chemical policy and legislation. They will support the permanent representative and the Department during the Irish hosting of the EU Presidency on relevant chemical related dossiers. The Advisor will ensure the technical requirements are translated into EU legislative text. They will co-ordinate the inputs and draft scientific and technical material for the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.

They will be responsible for stakeholder engagement including engaging with representative interest groups on complex technical areas to ensure that needs are balanced.

It is expected that from the outset, the successful candidate will be able to make a substantive contribution to the work during Ireland’s EU Presidency supporting the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment which operates within a fast moving and constantly evolving regulatory landscape. The person should be able to demonstrate an appetite and aptitude for change, including the assignment of additional or alternative responsibilities. The appointed person shall have the capacity to undertake foreign travel as required and lead other functions or programmes as the areas of responsibility may change in accordance with priority requirements.

The successful candidate will have strong business acumen, credibility and influencing capabilities and will effectively represent chemical interests to all external stakeholders. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the capacity to quickly master wide ranging briefs, assimilate complex information and assume significant levels of responsibility and accountability.

The person appointed will be able to bring their knowledge and skills in the areas of chemicals to contribute to the development of the Presidency objectives. They will have a strong ability to write high quality, clear and concise policy, briefings and other documents and contribute to the development of policy in a busy, high profile environment working within tight timeframes.

This role provides an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to make a real and sustainable impact on a European wide level for the duration of the EU Presidency.

Our commitment to supporting our Staff:

■ The Authority is committed to embracing opportunities for blended working, to build a dynamic, agile and responsive organisation while sustaining strong standards of performance and high levels of productivity.

■ A healthy work life balance is important to us and we recognise this by offering a comprehensive range of work life balance options and a wide variety of special leave options.

■ We also provide access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and the Tax Saver Scheme.

■ We have a comprehensive staff occupational health and wellbeing programme including an Employee Assistance Programme, health screening, health and nutrition advice and wellbeing talks.

■ We are committed to providing ongoing learning and development opportunities so that you can develop to your full potential. Staff are actively encouraged to pursue further education opportunities through our Refund of Fees Scheme.

Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

■ As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to implement equal opportunities in all our employment policies and procedures.

■ The Health and Safety Authority values and welcomes diversity and is committed to creating a truly inclusive workplace. We aim to develop colleagues to enable them to make a full contribution to meeting the Authority’s objectives, and to fulfil their own potential on merit.

■ Diversity and inclusion is reflected in and embedded across our employment policies and practices and is reflected in our current workforce demographic.

■ We welcome and encourage job applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

The Role:

Technical and Scientific Chemical Policy Advisor (Principal Officer)

The Health and Safety Authority are currently managing a broad and expanding volume and complexity of new EU chemical legislation.

To maintain the role in the provision of technical and scientific support to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment policy and negotiation priorities, and to ensure continuity in servicing Ireland’s obligations under EU chemical legislation in particular during Ireland's EU Presidency, we are recruiting for a Technical and Scientific Chemical Policy Advisor (Advisor) to support stakeholder engagement, to assist in the preparation of scientific and technical policy material and the strategic coordination of input into EU legislative processes during Ireland's hosting of the EU Presidency.

The Principal Officer will play a pivotal role in stakeholder engagement and the provision of scientific and technical advice to European Union laws, Regulations and Policy developments. The role will require the person to undertake foreign travel, primarily to Brussels.

The successful candidate will be recruited at Principal Officer and will be seconded to Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, WREM Safety Health and Chemical Policy Unit for the one year contract duration.

The successful candidate will report to the Assistant Secretary, WREM and will act as a member of the DETE Senior Management Team.

The Principal Officer’s key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

■ Providing leadership on the development and management of EU Chemical policy by inputting, coordinating, identifying and developing key scientific, technical and legislative briefings to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.

■ Providing specialist technical and scientific chemical advice to support the Permanent Representative and the Department during Ireland’s EU Presidency.

■ Supporting a wide range of technical and scientific advisory work across a wide range of chemical issues and government departments.

■ Providing technical support to the Department and Minister to represent Ireland’s interests by engaging and building relationships with national, pan European and international stakeholders and institutions.

■ Responsible for stakeholder engagement including engagement in complex technical and scientific areas to ensure needs of all parties are balanced.

■ Working in partnership with others across government departments in the field of chemical scientific and technical policy to ensure consistency, cohesion and co-ordination of effort.

■ Drafting positions, proposals and information to facilitate framing of EU or International Chemical policy and legislation.

■ Available to attend or accompany Department officials and Perm Rep to provide technical and scientific support at EU meetings or to coordinate the attendance of other relevant scientific or technical experts as relevant.

■ Leading, motivating, supporting and developing staff in the relevant business units within the portfolio of responsibility, including in the development and implementation of chemical relevant activities across governmental departments, state authorities and agencies.

■ Maintaining active networks of appropriate contacts to ensure awareness of emerging issues and current or developing best practice.

■ Participating in the organisational Management Group and contributing to the implementation of strategic, organisational, financial and operational goals and objectives.

■ Ensuring reporting resources comply with the relevant processes and procedures and memorandums of understandings.

■ Ensuring public information is available.

■ Managing the safety, health and welfare, oversees compliance with the responsibilities as set out in the Safety Statement.

■ Implementing change initiatives, promoting a culture which encourages innovation and supporting staff through any change process.

■ Undertaking such other duties as may be assigned in accordance with the operational needs of the role.

Essential Requirements

In addition to demonstrating that you possess the required competencies, the ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• First of second class qualification to an honour’s degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or technical discipline to the role.

OR

• First or second class higher diploma (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or technical discipline to the role and a primary degree in any discipline (at least NFQ Level 7).

OR

• Master’s degree or a Post Graduate Diploma (NFQ Level 9) in a relevant scientific or technical discipline to the role.

AND

• A minimum of 5 years' relevant professional experience.
• Strong Interpersonal and Communication skills.
• Evidence of proven negotiating and influencing skills.
• A proven track record at a senior level (within either the private or public sector).
• Evidence of building and maintaining high performing teams.
• Possession of a full driving licence (Category B).
• Demonstrate that they possess the competencies required of a Principal Officer as set out below.

Conditions of Service

Tenure

Appointment from this competition will be to 1 year fixed term position at Principal Officer grade in the Public Service.

Salary

For persons paying Class A rate of PRSI contributions, the scale is as follows:

PRINCIPAL OFFICER SCALE (PPC)

€107,081 €111,625 €116,133 €120,676

€124,508 €128,483 LSI1 €132,450 LSI2

Long service increments may be payable after 3 (LSI 1) and 6 (LSI 2) years satisfactory service at the maximum of the scale.

The starting salary will be at the minimum point of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation.

Desirable Requirements:

In addition to the essential requirements, it would be a decided advantage for candidates to have one or more of the following:

• Previous work experience in a Government Department or within a regulatory body, working in the field of chemical legislation and or experience in European law.
• Current working knowledge of European Chemical legislation.
• Evidence of developing effective working relationships and providing robust and timely scientific and technical advice to aid effective decision making.
• Relevant postgraduate or professional qualification relevant to the activities of the role.

Hours of Attendance

Hours of duty will be subject to the exigencies of the post but will not be less than 41 hours 15 minutes gross or 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, excluding luncheon intervals. The successful candidate will be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of his or her duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations. The rate of remuneration payable covers any extra attendance liability that may arise from time to time.

Annual Leave

30 days, exclusive of the usual public holidays. This allowance is subject to the usual conditions regarding the granting of annual leave in the public service and is based on a five day week.

Additional conditions of service are available in Appendix 1.