Marine Licensing Planner/Case Officer in Belfast

CPL have partnered with Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) to recruit for a Marine Planner/Licensing Case Officer (SO Grade) to join their team on a temporary contract, with possibility of extension.

Pay Rate: £19.59 per hour

Benefits: 37 days holiday per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week

The Marine and Fisheries Division (MFD), part of the DAERA Environment, Marine and Fisheries Group, is responsible for the promotion, protection, enhancement and sustainable use of:

• All fish stocks inland and at sea (including aquaculture and fish health)
• the marine environment

Marine Licensing Branch

The Marine Licensing Branch provides a main function for marine licensing, compliance and enforcement under Part 4 of the UK Marine and Coastal Access Act, 2009, the Marine Works (EIA) Regulations 2007 (as amended) and subordinate legislation.

Responsibilities will include:

• Take the lead in handling routine and, where necessary, complex marine licence applications.
• Oversee a caseload from initial submission through to determination, ensuring decisions are delivered within agreed time frames.
• Facilitate early discussions with applicants, agents, and consultees to clarify requirements and expectations.
• Conduct site visits when necessary to inform planning decisions.
• Draft licence documents using approved templates and guidance, ensuring recommendations and decisions are clear, well‑reasoned, and compliant with relevant legislation and policy.
• Contribute to the assessment and planning of offshore renewable energy proposals and other strategic marine developments as required.
• Assist in developing and implementing the Branch’s Business Improvement Plan.
• Lead or support projects that enhance processes, improve service delivery, and adapt to industry changes.
• Draft responses to general correspondence, ministerial queries, Freedom of Information (FOI), and Environmental Information Regulation (EIR) requests, acting as a trained decision‑maker within the business area.
• Ensure adherence to departmental policies and standards, including health and safety, performance management, and continuous improvement practices.
• Foster a culture of learning and professional development within the team.

Essential Experience/Qualifications:

• Have at least a Diploma in a fully credited Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or Irish Planning Institute (IPI) course or be a Chartered or Corporate Member of the RTPI or IPI.
• Have 2 years of post‑qualification experience gained within the last 5 years in the planning or scientific profession.
• Have access to a form of transport which will enable the post holder to fulfil the responsibilities of the post.

Desired Experience/Qualifications:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• High accuracy, attention to detail, and discretion.
• Excellent organisational and planning abilities to manage competing deadlines.
• Skilled in interpreting technical and regulatory information to make sound, evidence‑based decisions.
• Strong casework experience dealing with complex applications/licences.

If successful you will be required to complete a criminal record check through Access NI. Having a criminal conviction will not necessarily exclude you from this process.

CPL has a policy on the recruitment of ex‑offenders. CPL is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We recognise that a diverse and inclusive workplace will better our relationships and services with our clients, our candidates, our communities, and one another.