The Office of the Ombudsman is running a competition to select the best qualified candidate with the required knowledge, skills and attributes to meet the requirements of the role of Assistant Principal Officer (Investigation and Decision-Drafting) in the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC). Detailed information about the scope of this role and the essential entry requirements are outlined in the competition booklet, which is available on this page of the OIC website. Only completed applications submitted to hrrecruitment@ombudsman.ie and on the official application form, also available from the OIC website, will be accepted in this competition. The deadline for receipt of applications is 12 noon on Monday, 15th of September 2025. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Background

The Office comprises the Office of the Ombudsman; the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC); the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC); the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information (OCEI); the Commission for Pubic Service Appointments (CPSA); and the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner (OPDC).

The six offices carry out separate and distinct statutory functions. Nonetheless, they function as a single amalgamated agency under one Vote and one Accounting Officer and a Management Advisory Committee which manages the Office, while simultaneously protecting and preserving the statutory independence and functions of each of the constituent parts. Each Office has its own staff complement but the staff and systems of finance, human resources, legal, communications and information technology are shared.

The Office wishes to recruit an Assistant Principal Officer level in Investigation and Decision-Drafting to fulfil a key role within the Office of the Information Commissioner.

The Office of the Information Commissioner was established under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 1997, the role of the Office of the Information Commissioner is to:

• review (on application) decisions made in relation to FOI requests and to make binding new decisions;
• to keep the operation of the Act under review with a view to ensuring maximum compliance among public bodies; and
• to prepare and publish commentaries on the practical operation of the Act.

The Office may also carry out an investigation at any time into the practices and procedures adopted by public bodies for the purposes of compliance with the provisions of the FOI Act.

Arising from the selection process, a panel of successful candidates may be established for a period of 18 months following the completion of the selection process. The successful candidate will be required to serve a 12-month probationary period at the Assistant Principal Officer grade to confirm their suitability for the role. They will also be required to work in a full-time capacity for a minimum of 12 months following appointment.

The appointment will be to the Office of the Information Commissioner, however should any suitable vacancies arise successful candidates may have the opportunity be placed in the Office of the Commissioner for Environmental Information.

Role

The primary function of the role will be to conduct FOI reviews.

FOI reviews require the consideration of detailed technical legal argument and competing public interest arguments which can prove quite challenging. The subject matter of these reviews often extends beyond the provisions of the FOI Act and incorporating other areas of the law, such as the law of confidence, legal professional privilege etc. Accordingly, investigators are required to conduct thorough research, to objectively analyse and evaluate a wide range of complex information, to identify the salient issues and logically integrate alternative positions.

It is essential that an Investigator appreciates the implications of taking a particular position on an issue and the importance of approaching interdependent issues in a logical and consistent way. They must be thorough in maintaining accurate records and following appropriate procedures, given that all OIC decisions are subject to challenge in the High Court and, ultimately, the Supreme Court. It is also necessary to adopt a detail conscious approach to information handling and to ensure that all relevant information is accessed on an issue and that all such information is checked for consistency and completeness.

An Investigator must be assertive in resisting pressure while maintaining amicable relations. S/he must be able to ask difficult questions, even of more senior personnel, and to constructively challenge others without causing offence. An Investigator must also demonstrate a willingness to question given or accepted practices and to put forward new or independent points of view.

An Investigator must also have the ability to organise and schedule work in a timely and resource efficient manner taking into account future objectives and cost implications. It is essential to be able to delegate tasks efficiently, to anticipate obstacles to task completion and to handle problems and crises in a well-organised manner.

In the current climate, it is critical that an Investigator demonstrates self-motivation, commitment, a willingness to put in the extra effort, and persistence in ensuring that a large volume of work is completed to a very high standard. An Investigator must learn from previous experience, take a positive approach to change and strive to improve the quality of his/her own performance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Successful candidates will be required to perform all duties appropriate to the role and these duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Managing, from acceptance to completion, applications for review of decisions taken by public bodies on FOI requests under the FOI Act.
• Making recommendations to, and drafting appropriate decisions for, the Information Commissioner, cognisant of the fact that such decisions are subject to appeal to the High Court and, ultimately, to the Supreme Court.
• Managing High Court and Supreme Court appeals. This includes reviewing affidavits and legal submissions, attending at Court hearings and instructing Counsel when required.
• Representing the Office at conferences/delivering presentations, and drafting speeches for the Information Commissioner.
• Contributing to the wider objectives of the OIC as set out in the Office's annual business plans.

Entry Requirements

Essential

Candidates must have:

1. On or before 15th of September 2025, a qualification of at least Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications in Law OR two years’ relevant experience.~
   
   and
    
2. Excellent analytical and decision-making skills
3. Attention to detail
4. Excellent work management skills
5. Excellent communication skills (oral and written)
6. Strong leadership qualities
7. Results driven and self-motivated
8. Self-reliance and perseverance
9. Proven track record of analysing legal issues and articulating analysis in written reports/decisions/ submissions.
10. Demonstrable written and verbal communication skills.
11. Demonstrable interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment and on one’s own initiative.

NOTE: Qualifications/eligibility may not be verified until the final stage of the process. Therefore, those candidates who do not possess the eligibility requirements, and proceed with their application, are putting themselves to unnecessary effort/expense and will not be offered a position from this campaign. An invitation to tests, interview or any element of the selection process is not acceptance of eligibility.

Desirable:

• Experience of AIE or FOI legislation.
• Experience in case management with a proven track record of working towards fixed deadlines.
• Qualification as a solicitor or barrister.