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Job description

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs DAERA has a vision of Delivering a net zero nature positive future, supporting sustainable agriculture and thriving rural communities. Our vision is the foundation of everything we do as we seek to enhance our environment; grow a sustainable, vibrant economy; and support the development of thriving rural communities. At the heart of our vision is a desire to make DAERA a great place to work, with engaged people delivering a twenty-first century agenda. The successful candidates will work within DAERA’s Food, Farming and Rural Affairs Group FFRAG providing leadership to teams who are developing policy and delivering education, knowledge transfer, innovation and regulatory programmes to support the agri-food industry. We are looking for people with a track record of delivery, decision making, leadership and an ability to develop strong partnerships within their organisations and with stakeholders. If you believe you have the skills and experience required for these roles, I would be pleased if you would take the next step to complete and submit an application.

Responsibilities

• Leading, managing and motivating a multi-disciplinary team of technical and administrative staff.
• Identifying the workforce and financial resource requirements which are required within their Divisions to enable it to achieve corporate Business Plan objectives.
• Leading a programme of continuous improvement and change to ensure the organisation has the capacity and capability to fulfil its role effectively and deal with a changing environment.
• Prepare and deliver annual Business Plans and priority programmes in accordance with corporate requirements. Monitor and manage the annual budget.
• Maintain and respond to Risk Registers, Statements of Internal Control and agreed Audit Action Plans. Prepare and manage all audit and assessment reviews.
• Identify the required competences and training requirements for staff and ensure suitable training is completed to enable them to carry out their duties consistently and efficiently, in accordance with Investment in People (IiP) principles.
• Leading the preparation of written and oral evidence for appearance before the Minister, Select and Assembly Committees and presenting evidence.
• Representing the Department, Division and others on national and international committees, working groups and other fora, and making presentations at seminars and conferences nationally and internationally as required.
• Maintaining and developing partnerships with key personnel in other Government Departments within the United Kingdom & Ireland, the European Commission, and other national and international bodies so that the
• Department is seen as the provider of preference for expert advice and guidance on issues and is involved in the development and revision of relevant legislation and guidance in the UK and Europe.
• Other duties in line with the business needs of DAERA.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Applicants must have, by the closing date for applications: 1. An Honours Degree or an equivalent qualification (minimum classification of 2.2) in either Agriculture, Agricultural Economics and Management, Agricultural Technology,
• Agricultural Economics and Management, Agricultural Technology, Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Mechanisation, Agri-Environment, Horticulture, Food Science, Food Technology, Food Business, Equine Studies, or Equine Management or Equine Science
• Or a closely related subject*.
• At least 5 years’ post qualification experience of successfully using professional & technical knowledge to contribute to significant industry support, policy and/or education programmes or other industry initiatives,
• (cont) For the benefit of the agri-food / land-based sector that have achieved impact.
• And at least two years’ senior management** experience of building effective working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and successfully negotiating and influencing to deliver improvements or agreed outcomes.
• And access to a form of transport which will enable you to travel throughout NI, ROI, GB and abroad to fulfil your responsibilities in full.
• ‘Closely Related Subject’: If you hold a qualification that is a ‘closely related subject’ to those listed in the professional qualification criterion above, you must provide evidence to demonstrate that at least 50%, (continued below).
• Of the technical modules of your qualification share similar content & learning outcomes to those of a currently available Honours degree course as listed above.
• The inclusion and comparison of non-technical (generic) modules will not provide sufficient evidence that the criterion has been met.

Further Information

Locations: Antrim - Greenmount Campus, (CAFRE posts) & Belfast - DAERA Headquarters, Clare House, (APD post). Senior management is defined as experience gained at the top management levels of an organisation e.g. holding a post equivalent to that of a Grade 7/A within the Northern Ireland Civil Service/Northern Ireland Office, as a board member; or reporting directly to a Chief Executive or a Board. 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 depth and breadth of information provided by candidates in response to eligibility criterion 2. This will be completed on a scored basis and only the highest scoring applicants will proceed to interview. NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date 27 November 2026 at 12 noon. Applications from males, 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: IRC331311)