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Job description

Thank you for the interest you have shown in the role of Principal Professional Technical Officer (PPTO) in HSENI. As the regional authority for health and safety at work in Northern Ireland, HSENI is committed to working in partnership with industry and trade unions to raise standards and create a safer and healthier working environment. Through a programme of targeted inspection and investigation activities, HSENI aims to reduce the numbers of injuries and incidents of ill health at work which are often devastating to the individual and costly to the local economy. The purpose of the job is to manage a team which will be responsible for the implementation of a number of EU Directives which apply in NI under Annex II of the NI Protocol (NIP) and Windsor Framework (WF). The role will be crucial in driving the delivery of HSENI’s obligations under the various chemical regimes in the NIP and WF. In the main this will focus upon the necessary market surveillance, EU liaison and reporting etc. The role of the Market Compliance Chemicals Team is to promote and deliver a programme, develop new and existing partnerships and, in HSENI, join a growing team of dedicated professionals who are working to bring about a culture change in the way in which workplace risks are managed. The work can and will make a real difference in helping to minimise risks, reduce costs and save lives. It is the perfect opportunity for someone with practical experience. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong leadership, be confident and decisive enough to function effectively on their own, possess good analytical, communication and influencing skills. The work is interesting and varied, and above all, delivers enormous job satisfaction. I hope this information pack will encourage you to apply for this post and look forward to hearing from you.

Responsibilities

• Have overall management responsibility for the MCCT. Direct line manager SPTOs.
• Maintain effective and efficient performance of the team by setting clear objectives, priorities, standards and expectations both for individuals and the team as a whole.
• Ensure HSENI’s MCCT develops and maintains the required knowledge and expertise in the relevant directives / chemical regimes.
• Ensure the MCCT is able to deliver HSENI’s statutory functions as required under the relevant directives / chemical regimes.
• Plan and manage budgets and other resources efficiently and effectively and in compliance with NICS/HSENI policies and procedures.
• Create policy, maintain and oversee arrangements in respect of market surveillance activities which will ensure consistency and quality of decisions in line with HSENI’s policies
• and procedures and to ensure that HSENI’s statutory functions are met.
• Create, implement, monitor and review the MCCT’s operational work plan.
• Develop operational plans to ensure that a work programme is developed and implemented which meets HSENI’s legal requirements.
• Effectively monitor the work of the MCCT ensuring compliance with operational policy, procedures and data quality. Manage consistency and quality of the MCCT’s market surveillance work to ensure that HSENI’s statutory functions are met.
• To oversee the MCCT’s market surveillance activities including the necessary and proportionate action within those regimes to ensure compliance.
• Maintain effective and efficient performance in difficult and challenging circumstances, encouraging the MCCT when required.
• Produce accurate timely reports required to fulfil HSENI’s statutory duties under the Regulation for Accreditation and Market Surveillance (RAMS) and the upcoming Regulation on Market Surveillance and Compliance of Products (MSC).
• Liaise with NI Departments, UK Government bodies / EU bodies and represent or ensure a suitable representation at all meetings / committees etc..
• Establish systems to ensure HSENI is aware of emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit the MCCT, HSENI and stakeholders.
• Develop effective working relationships with relevant parties including HSE (GB) (inc. specialists and Chemicals Division), DBT, OPSS, HSA, HMRC, Border Force, co-enforcers, duty holders, industry bodies etc.; and
• Use a wide variety of methods to encourage and support business to achieve compliance with relevant EU directives.
• Operational fieldwork (market surveillance) Develop and implement HSENI policy in respect of the relevant EU directives including MSC and other relevant legislation which may impact this area.
• Oversee the quality and delivery of HSENI’s MCCT’s fieldwork;
• Deliver the statutory operational work (including market surveillance) as required by the relevant (chemical) statutory provisions which fall under the NIP / WF.
• Assist in fieldwork to maintain the delivery of a quality service and to support the team’s work activities.
• Ensure operational work of the team is carried out in line with operational procedures and policies and completed within relevant timescales.
• Work with the other teams within HSENI to achieve compliance with the chemical regimes; Implement operational plans to fulfil the market surveillance requirements set by the NIP WF; and
• Act as the primary point of contact for intelligence which flows from other enforcement agencies.
• Identify and use a wide variety of effective methods to encourage and support business to manage chemical related compliance in a sensible and proportionate way.
• Speak at events, seminars, online forums, media interviews, social media, etc.. Oversee the develop of guidance notes providing clarity on employer’s duties in this area.
• Develop capacity in the MCCT to provide information via a national helpdesk function under REACH, CLP, PIC and Biocides; and
• Develop systems to ensure chemical information (including FAQ) on HSENI’s website is reviewed, current and correct.
• Liaise with other Regulators and third parties. Represent HSENI at all chemical market surveillance and other related forums.
• Develop a chemical industry network in NI so that HSENI can liaise directly with and influence the relevant industry sectors.
• Attend meetings and maintain excellent links with HSE(GB) (which provides additional NIP / WF chemical regime services by way of agency agreements); and
• Maintain and develop links with the Health and Safety Authority’s Chemicals & Prevention Division.
• European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) engagement.
• Attend where possible and maintain excellent links with ECHA and associated forums (including the Forum for Exchange of Information on Enforcement); including participation in working groups and committees (where possible)
• including EU work plan initiatives and the 5-year REACH work plan.
• Attend Administrative Co-operation groups (ADCOs) / monitor ADCO outputs if permitted; and Produce accurate timely reports required to fulfil the market surveillance requirements set by the EU.
• Maintain accurate records. Undertake clerical and administrative duties associated with the role and ensure all records are entered onto the relevant system in a timely manner and kept up to date.
• Monitor the storage of data to support decision making, to ensure it is stored accurately, confidentially and responsibly and in accordance with HSENI policies and procedures e.g. GDPR.
• Use HSENI’s Case Management System and EULITS; and Use all necessary EU databases, EULITS including SCIRCABC where permitted or UK/EU agreed alternative means.
• Develop self Proactively manage their own career and identify learning needs with line manager, plan and carry out work-place learning opportunities.
• Lead and inspire others, through demonstration of leadership behaviours in line with the NICS competency framework.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications: An Honours Degree (or equivalent) in a chemistry related discipline where the study of chemistry is a ‘major component’.
• Major component’ is defined as: At least 50% of the course covers organic or inorganic or physical chemistry.
• Candidates must list all modules and briefly describe their relevant chemistry modules to allow the panel to determine that their qualification contains at least 50% of organic or inorganic or physical chemistry.
• AND Practical experience of the interpretation and application of one or more of the following EU Directives / Regulations (or related UK or NI.
• Implementing legislation) or domestic legislation (this experience should be a minimum of 2 years’ experience gained within the last 7).
• Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulations b. Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulations.
• Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Regulations. Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR). Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).
• AND A minimum of 2 years’ experience of developing and maintaining positive, collaborative partnerships and demonstrable experience of effective stakeholder engagement and management with a diverse range of senior
• internal and/or external stakeholders to support the successful delivery of organisational objectives.
• Senior defined as Director or above in the Northern Ireland Civil Service this would be Grade 7 or above
• AND A full Category B driving licence, valid for Northern Ireland, that will enable the candidate to carry out the duties of the post in full.

Desirable Skills

• In addition applicants should be aware that after an eligibility sift, should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to interview, the following shortlisting criteria will be used.
• Demonstrate experience of setting up effective networks addressing issues associated with EU directives or related UK or NI implementing legislation with other partners.
• Have achieved a NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety (or equivalent) at the time of application.

Further Information

Location: HSENI Headquarters, 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast. NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 28th November 2025 at 12 noon. All applications from young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. ALL APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT ARE CONSIDERED STRICTLY ON THE BASIS OF MERIT.

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote reference number: IRC320948)