Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime for Northern Ireland
The Minister of Justice is seeking to appoint a Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime for Northern Ireland who will promote the interests of victims and witnesses of crime and raise awareness of matters relating to the interests of victims and witnesses.
The Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime for Northern Ireland will be appointed for a 4-year term. The remuneration for the position is on the Senior Civil Service Grade 5 scale, i.e. £88,268 - £97,070. The postholder can avail of a contributory pension scheme.
The Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime for Northern Ireland is a full-time position with a public profile that requires a high calibre leader and manager. Applicants must be able to evidence how they have supported victims and/or witnesses.
The successful candidate must have a proven track record in providing leadership, setting strategic direction, and collaborating and influencing across a range of disciplines and sectors. The individual must also be able to evidence experience of effective engagement and communication skills with a diverse range of audiences; and the ability to analyse information from a range of sources and make effective decisions on challenging issues, resulting in improvements. The post holder will be the organisation’s Accounting Officer and will be required to demonstrate good governance skills together with effective financial, risk and performance management.
The post will be based in Belfast/Greater Belfast.
We particularly welcome applications from women, people under the age of 40, minority ethnic and people with a disability who are currently under-represented in Department of Justice Bodies.
Appointment will be made on merit from those individuals who best satisfy the essential criteria.
Essential Criteria
Evidence of how you have supported victims and/or witnesses which demonstrates an ability to be empathetic, understanding and appreciative of their needs and where necessary, to advocate on their behalf; Experience of effective leadership and strategic direction; Experience of collaboration and influencing across sectors and of effective engagement and communication with a range of audiences; Experience of providing effective corporate governance; and Experience of analytical thinking and effective decision making on challenging issues resulting in improvements.
THE DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS IS 12 NOON (UK LOCAL TIME) ON FRIDAY 5 JUNE 2026. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, EXCEPT IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
It is anticipated that interviews will be held between 27 July 2026 and 10 August 2026.
Further information and an application pack can be downloaded direct via clicking the apply icon.
or by emailing:
or by telephoning: 028 9054 3986
or by writing to: COMMISSIONER FOR VICTIMS AND WITNESSES OF CRIME COMPETITION, Department of Justice, Room 4C, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SG.
Candidate information packs and application forms can be provided in alternative formats on request.
Equality of Opportunity
The Department of Justice is committed to the principles of public appointments based on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process. The Department is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all applicants. Applications are welcomed regardless of age, gender, disability, marital status, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have dependants. In keeping with the NICS Policy on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, we would also welcome applications from those not currently serving on public bodies