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Job description

The NICS comprises nine departments that support the Northern Ireland Executive and Ministers. We do this by developing and implementing government policies and legislation and delivering key public services in areas such as health, public finances, social development, justice, education, regeneration, environment, culture, agriculture, economic development, employment and transport. All civil servants are appointed on merit and on the basis of fair and open competition. They are expected to carry out their role with dedication and a commitment to the NI Civil Service’s core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is seeking to fill a Deputy Principal Railway Safety role that requires specific skills and experience. Applications are invited from candidates who meet the eligibility criteria, to apply for this opportunity and challenge. This booklet provides further information on the key responsibilities of the Deputy Principal Railway Safety role in DfI and sets out the skills and competencies required. We have also included important information on the selection process. There is currently one full-time vacancy in Climate, Planning and Public Transport (CPPT) in the Department for Infrastructure. The current post on offer will be based at James House, Belfast. Further information on the business area where the current vacancy is located is provided in the booklet.

Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to support the Head of Rail Regulation to deliver DfI’s statutory duties for rail regulation.
• In particular, monitoring and supervising railway operators’ (including Northern Ireland Railways, Irish Rail, Rail Preservation Society of Ireland, and heritage companies) compliance with safety requirements.
• The main duties and key responsibilities of the role will include:
• Managing a schedule of audits of railway sites, premises, plant and methods of working and advising duty holders of any departure from legal requirements;
• Lead a programme of inspections from developing the inspection remit, undertake inspection activity on site, and reporting outcomes with minimal supervision;
• Travel to railway sites across NI to complete a programme of audit inspections, or to monitor and supervise compliance with regulatory standards, is required;
• Please see the Candidate Information Booklet for further information.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications:
• Have a valid NEBOSH National General Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety, or equivalent Level 6 Occupational Health and Safety qualification; AND
• Have at least three years' experience of working in a railway environment; OR
• Three years' experience of regulating transport organisations; AND
• Have at least two years' experience of building collaborative partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders; AND
• Have at least two years' experience of effective leadership, setting strategic direction and managing resources to successfully deliver business objectives in a complex and changing environment.

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 panel will carry out an objective evaluation of the breadth and depth of information...
• ...provided by candidates in response to criterion 2. This will be completed on a scored basis and only the highest scoring applicants will proceed to interview.

Further Information

This post will be based at James House, Cromac Avenue, Gasworks Business Park, Belfast. NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 19th June 2026 at 12 noon. Applications from Protestants, 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: IRC326909)