Overview of the Agri-Food Regulator
An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) (Regulator) is a new independent statutory Office established in December 2023 under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 (2023 Act). The Regulator is responsible for promoting fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain and will do this by:
* Carrying out analysis and regularly publishing reports on price and market data.
* Enhancing understanding and enforcement of agri-food unfair trading law, including being designated as the national Enforcement Authority for the EU Unfair Trading Practices in Business-to-Business Relationships in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Directive 2019/633 (the ‘UTP Directive’).
* Promoting general public awareness about agri-food unfair trading law and related matters, including through public information campaigns.
The Regulator has three distinct areas of work:
* Price & Market Data Analysis Unit
* Unfair Trading Practices Compliance & Enforcement Unit
* Corporate Services Unit
Background to the Role
The Agri-Food Regulator has been designated as the Enforcement Authority under the Unfair Trading Regulations. These Regulations transpose the UTP Directive into Irish law.
The 2023 Act provides wide-ranging powers to the Regulator for the purpose of enforcing the Unfair Trading Regulations. The Regulator may:
* Carry out inspections of buyers, including unannounced inspections.
* Enter premises where there are reasonable grounds for believing that there are records or anything used in connection with agri-food products.
* Examine records and inspect and take copies of anything used in connection with an agri-food product without needing a complaint or suspicion of an alleged infringement.
The Regulator may also conduct investigations of an alleged or suspected unfair trading practice where there are reasonable grounds for believing that:
(a) An offence is being, or is about to be committed on the premises, or
(b) Evidence of an offence is likely to be found on the premises.
Role and Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Compliance Inspector role include but are not limited to the following:
* Lead and manage the compliance monitoring activities of the Regulator, including regulatory visits nationwide.
* Manage a team in fulfilment of the compliance and enforcement function.
* Manage complaints related to alleged breaches of Unfair Trading legislation, including investigation and potential prosecution.
* Contribute to the Unfair Trading Practices Compliance & Enforcement Unit through effective and efficient operational management.
* Contribute to communication efforts with a broad range of stakeholders regarding the regulatory framework and compliance monitoring.
* Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation across the organisation.
* Participate in the European Unfair Trading Practice Enforcement Network, including potential international travel.
Note: The functions and responsibilities initially assigned to the role are based on current organisational requirements and may change over time.
Essential Criteria
Please note: In order to satisfy the shortlisting panel that you meet these criteria, you must explicitly reference how you meet them in your application. Failure to demonstrate these may prevent your application from progressing to future shortlisting stages.
Each candidate must meet the following requirements at the time of the competition closing:
* Minimum of five years working within an office environment with at least one year of management or supervisory experience.
* At least 2 years’ experience in risk, compliance, assurance, audit, or a related field.
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong attention to detail.
* Ability to gather and analyse information and make decisions based on evidence and sound judgement.
* Hold a full driving licence with access to personal transport.
Desirable Criteria
Please note: Should further shortlisting be required after essential criteria above, a selection of the following may be assessed.
The ideal candidate will also:
* Hold a relevant qualification appropriate to this role.
* Demonstrate an interest in and understanding of the agri-food industry and the wider food supply chain.
* Have experience in project management or case management.
* Have experience or understanding of enforcement and/or prosecution.
Selection Process
Prior to completing your application, please read the Important Candidate Information Booklet on our careers page.
How to Apply
Please do not click 'Apply Now'. Instead, submit your application in one single word document or PDF referencing the title of the role you are applying for in the subject of the email to Abigail.gannon@rsmireland.ie with the following:
* A cover letter outlining why you wish to be considered for the role and how your skills and experience meet the requirements (not to exceed 2 pages);
* A comprehensive CV (not to exceed 3 pages).
Please note that omission of any or part of the two requested documents as set out above will render the application incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered for the next stage of the selection process.
Closing Date
The closing date and time for applications is strictly 12pm (noon) on February 28, 2025. Applications received after the specified deadline cannot be accepted.
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