Our client the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is seeking an Inspector/Investigator.
Division Overview:
The Consumer Enforcement Division (CED) is responsible for ensuring compliance with, and enforcement of, consumer protection law. CED conducts onsite and online inspections to monitor compliance with the relevant statutory provisions, carrying out investigations and taking enforcement action, as appropriate. CED also engages with the business community and other stakeholders to promote compliance and best practice.
There are currently three units in CED:
1. The Compliance and Inspection Unit;
2. The Consumer Investigations and Enforcement Unit;
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.
As an Inspector / Investigator, you will be required to contribute to the overall work of CED, which operates in a fast paced and high task volume environment. In particular, you will undertake activities – as set out below – and support management at unit and divisional level to deliver on statutory functions, ensuring that traders comply with the relevant pieces of consumer protection legislation, and taking enforcement action to remedy breaches, where required. This may require you to undertake nationwide travel depending on the unit in which you are working.
As an Inspector / Investigator, you will conduct inspections and progress compliance assessments and investigations alongside senior colleagues, assisting in handling cases, gathering evidence, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations. You will develop and use technical knowledge and investigative skills to progress matters through desk research and field work, and through the exercise of the CCPC’s statutory functions and powers. This may include searches of traders’ premises and interviews of witnesses and suspects. 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 encourages the development of its staff and provides regular opportunities for career progression within the organisation.
Activities include:
1. Conducting inspections, both onsite and online, to help monitor compliance with the relevant statutory provisions.
2. Assessing traders’ compliance with consumer protection legislation, using insights, intelligence and evidence to make recommendations.
3. Conducting investigations into potential breaches of consumer protection law.
4. Writing reports, statements, letters and compliance and enforcement-related submissions.
5. Taking enforcement action, either civil or criminal, depending on the circumstances.
6. Liaising with consumers, traders and other stakeholders regarding compliance issues.
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, 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.
To ensure that correct procedures and investigative best practices are followed, the successful candidate will have strong organisational skills and be able to manage their workload to meet strict deadlines. They will take ownership of work for which they are responsible, ensuring that records are maintained to the highest standards. 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 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:
1. Acting as an Authorised Officer of the CCPC when exercising statutory functions and powers.
2. Supporting line and senior management to deliver unit and divisional activities.
3. Carrying out inspections of onsite business premises and online traders.
4. Conducting compliance assessments regarding potential breaches of consumer law by traders.
5. Preparing high quality written reports, including recommendations for actions to manager.
6. Providing support in the conduct of investigations and enforcement activities.
7. Building and maintaining relevant technical and legislative knowledge.
8. Engaging in productive and positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
9. Contributing to the achievement of the CCPC’s strategic goals.
10. Assisting in case-related tasks, including fieldwork, interviews, research and drafting materials.
11. Assisting in administrative tasks, including record-keeping and the updating of divisional reports.
12. Demonstrating adaptability and flexibility, carrying out any other additional tasks, responsibilities or functions that may be assigned by management.
Essential:
1. A third level degree in law, business, economics, regulation, compliance, social science or other relevant discipline or equivalent professional qualification.
2. A minimum of 2 years’ relevant professional experience in the conduct of regulatory, compliance, criminal, civil or administrative investigations.
3. Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
4. Clear focus on delivering high quality output, with excellent attention to detail.
5. Evidence of analytical and problem-solving skills.
6. Evidence of excellent administration and organisational skills.
7. Demonstrable ability to work effectively in a team environment.
8. Strong ICT skills, particularly in the application of MS Office.
Desirable:
1. Additional qualifications in an area related to the role.
2. Experience in a compliance or regulatory environment.
3. Working knowledge of any of the following: Irish/EU consumer protection law, risk management principles and tools, case management systems, project management.
4. A full clean driving licence with access to a car.
Application Process:
To apply for this role using the link on the CCPC careers page, please submit an up-to-date CV and a cover letter (max. 500 words) outlining your motivation for applying for this role and why you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements. Applicants should note that canvassing will result in your exclusion from the process.
Competition closes on Wednesday, 7th May at 3pm.
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