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Job description

James House, Cromac Avenue, Belfast. Thank you for your interest in this competition to fill HPTO Planning Officer positions within the Department for Infrastructure (DfI). This is an incredibly exciting time to join the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS). Our mission is to improve the wellbeing of the people who live here, along with the wider society in which they live, by serving our Ministers and the Executive. The NICS is a stimulating place to work, offering challenging opportunities to really make a difference. Planning is a vital service in Northern Ireland for our economy, our environment and our communities. This is a challenging post which presents a great opportunity for the right candidate to be part of a strong organisation at the heart of public service delivery. As well as experience this post requires effective leadership and relationship-building skills as you and your team will be expected to make a contribution to the wider work of the Department. The nature of the work of DfI requires a clear focus on outcomes and a strong emphasis on building effective, collaborative approaches involving other government departments and district councils, as well as building and sustaining strong relationships with external stakeholders. The postholder will therefore require interpersonal and communication skills and be able to demonstrate the ability to successfully work across organisational boundaries and with elected representatives to deliver outcomes. So, if you are looking for a new challenge and a stretching role, I welcome your interest and wish you well in your application.

Responsibilities

• HPTO Planning Officers will normally report to the Senior Planning Officer (SPTO) grade or a Deputy Principal and the duties of the grade may include:
• Assisting in the operation of the two-tier planning system through formulation and implementation of regional planning policy; oversight and governance of local planning.
• And processing and determination of regionally significant and call-in planning applications.
• Contributing to the development and review of planning policy and legislation, best practice guidance and other planning/transport guidance as appropriate.
• Contributing, where necessary, to the management of the planning process, i.e. processing planning applications, enforcement
• Oversight of local development plan preparation, attending hearings and public inquiries, etc.
• Please see the Candidate Information Booklet (CIB) for further information.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications:
• Have at least a degree or post graduate qualification in town and country planning, or in a planning related discipline (e.g. Marine Spatial Planning, Environmental Management, Urban Design, Transport Planning etc).
• AND Be, or be eligible to become a chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or a corporate member of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) or an equivalent Town Planning professional body. (Please refer to CIB)
• AND Have at least 2 years professional experience in a Planning related discipline.
• AND Have access to a form of transport which will enable the postholder to fulfil the responsibilities of the post.
• Please see the Candidate Information Booklet (CIB) for further information.

Desirable Skills

• Applicants should be aware that after an eligibility sift, should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to interview, the panel will carry out an objective evaluation of the information provided by candidates.

Further Information

NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 17th April 2026 at 12 noon. 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