Inspector/Investigator New

Our client the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is seeking an Inspector/Investigator.

Division Overview:

CED also engages with the business community and other stakeholders to promote compliance and best practice. This includes traders across all sectors, whether small and medium firms or global corporations operating in consumer markets.

There are currently three units in CED:

1. The Compliance and Inspection Unit;
2. The Consumer Investigations and Enforcement Unit; and
3. The Special Investigations and Enforcement Unit.

While each unit has its own specific area of expertise and responsibility, they all collaborate with each other and other teams to deliver on the goals of CED and the wider CCPC.

CED works closely with the Consumer Protection Division (CPD) and both divisions are primarily responsible for exercising the CCPC’s functions in the areas of consumer protection and ensuring that traders comply with the relevant pieces of consumer protection legislation

The Role:

The CCPC is seeking to recruit Inspectors / Investigators, at Executive Officer (EO) grade, for its Consumer Enforcement Division (CED). Successful candidates will be assigned to a unit in CED, reporting to a Consumer Enforcement Manager.

Working as an Inspector / Investigator provides an excellent opportunity to make a strong contribution to the CCPC’s wide-ranging responsibilities, playing a key role in ensuring that markets work well for consumers and businesses, promoting compliance with, and enforcing, consumer protection law.

This will depend on the unit in which you are working.

This is an ideal role for somebody who is curious and inquisitive.

You will assist in recommending next steps and assess and discuss issues in written reports and memos. You will also be required to accurately maintain case files and notes to ensure that cases adhere to the CCPC’s procedures and investigative best practices.

You will have the opportunity to work with other CCPC divisions on cross-divisional activities and will help build and maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders, including consumer and business representatives, and competent authorities at national and international level.

You will have the opportunity to continuously grow and develop with support from the CCPC’s Learning and Development team, utilising both internal and external training. The CCPC encourage the development of its staff and provide regular opportunities for career progression within the organisation.

Activities include:

• Conducting inspections, both onsite and online, to help monitor compliance with the relevant statutory provisions. This may entail entering traders’ premises in order to carry out routine checks or to respond to a complaint and gathering information and materials which may be used to support potential follow[1]up actions, including enforcement actions.
• Assessing traders’ compliance with consumer protection legislation, using best available insights, intelligence and evidence to make recommendations and help inform decisions on the best course of action to be taken on a case-by-case basis.
• Conducting investigations into potential breaches of consumer protection law. The investigations incorporate traders operating in a variety of sectors and environments, including traditional and digital consumer markets.
• Writing reports, statements, letters and compliance and enforcement-related submissions, ensuring proper documentation and accurate records at all times.
• Taking enforcement action, either civil or criminal, depending on the circumstances, to enforce the relevant statutory provisions.
• Liaising with consumers, traders and other stakeholders, including representative bodies and sectoral regulators, in relation to compliance issues and the enforcement of consumer protection law

The Successful Candidate:

The successful candidate will have a proven ability to identify and critically assess issues and potential breaches of the law, using research and investigative skills to progress a case or investigation. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, innovative, and proactive and driven to deliver for the CCPC and consumers.

Previous experience or knowledge of consumer law or policy is not an essential criterion; however, the successful candidate will have the ability to apply the law and draw conclusions from available evidence, make recommendations, and communicate their views clearly and convincingly both orally and in writing to senior management and legal advisors.

They will be self-motivated and flexible, with excellent interpersonal skills allowing them to be an effective team player and communicator.

In addition to the immediate appointments from this campaign, an order of merit may be established. This may be used to fill any future vacancies at the same level within this or other Divisions of the CCPC where roles have similar responsibilities and/or similar skills are required

Key Responsibilities:

• Acting as an Authorised Officer of the CCPC when exercising statutory functions and powers, including enforcement activities;
• Supporting line and senior management to deliver unit and divisional activities;
• Carrying out inspections of onsite business premises and online traders;
• Conducting compliance assessments regarding potential breaches of consumer law by traders;
• Preparing high quality written reports, including recommendations for actions to manager;
• Providing support in the conduct of investigations and enforcement activities;
• Building and maintaining relevant technical and legislative knowledge;
• Engaging in productive and positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Contributing to the achievement of the CCPC’s strategic goals, developing and maintaining awareness of the CCPC’s broad mandate;
• Assisting in case-related tasks, including fieldwork, interviews, research and drafting materials.
• Assisting in administrative tasks, including record-keeping and the updating of divisional reports;
• Demonstrating adaptability and flexibility, carrying out any other additional tasks, responsibilities or functions that may be assigned by management in order to support the work of the Division and the wider organisation.

Essential:

• A third level degree in law, business, economics, regulation, compliance, social science or other relevant discipline or equivalent professional qualification.

• A minimum of 2 years’ relevant professional experience in the conduct of regulatory, compliance, criminal, civil or administrative investigations, or related enforcement actions, forensic work, case handling, economic consultancy or other equivalent relevant experience in a private sector or public sector organisation.

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clear, focused reports with actionable recommendations.
• Clear focus on delivering high quality output, with excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy.
• Evidence of analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to work on one’s own initiative.
• Evidence of excellent administration and organisational skills with the ability to work in a high-volume fast paced environment, multi-task, prioritise and ensure deadlines are met.
• Demonstrable ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Strong ICT skills, particularly in the application of MS Office.

Desirable:

• Additional qualifications in an area related to the role.
• Experience of some of the following in either the public or private sector:
• Working within a compliance or regulatory environment;
• Interpreting legal, regulatory and/or policy frameworks;
• Participating in regulatory inspections or investigations;
• Conducting internet/desk-based investigations and/or research (e.g. open-source intelligence skills,

• Assisting in enforcement actions and/or prosecutions;
• Handling complaints (e.g. customer service; dispute resolution).
• Working knowledge of any of the following:
• Irish/EU consumer protection law;
• Risk management principles and tools;
• Case management systems;
• Project management.
• A full clean driving licence with access to a car

Application Process:

Applicants should note that canvassing will result in your exclusion from the process.

Competition closes on Wednesday, 7th May at 3pm