Senior Marine Planner/Licensing Case Officer in Belfast

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

Pay Rate – £24.59 per hour

DAERA, Marine and Fisheries Regulation and Enforcement Branch / DAERA, Marine Licensing

Benefits – 37 days holiday per annum

Hours – 37 hours per week

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 the marine environment and all fish stocks inland and at sea (including aquaculture and fish health). MFD provides lead policy advice to the DAERA Minister in respect of the marine environment, inland and sea fisheries, aquaculture and fish health.

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

• Take the lead in handling major and strategically important licence applications.
• Assessing and advising on major projects, including Offshore Renewable Energy proposals, contributing to strategic planning and policy development.
• Line manage and supervise a team of planners, technical staff and administrative officers, providing day‑to‑day direction, guidance and development support.
• Lead and coordinate the delivery of marine licensing functions, ensuring complex and high‑profile applications are managed effectively and determinations align with legislative and policy requirements.
• Drive pre‑application engagement with applicants, agents, and statutory consultees, providing authoritative advice and guidance.
• Represent the Branch at external meetings and consultations on significant marine development proposals.
• Oversee the preparation and review of licence documentation, ensuring decisions are robust, legally defensible, and consistent with departmental objectives and marine planning frameworks.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Branch’s Business Improvement Plan.
• Drive innovation and efficiency, managing projects that deliver improved processes and service standards.
• Prepare and quality‑assure responses to Ministerial queries, FOI/EIR requests, and other official correspondence.
• Support senior management with briefing material and advice on complex licensing issues.
• Ensure adherence to departmental policies, health and safety requirements, and performance management frameworks.
• Actively foster a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, and knowledge sharing within the team.

Essential Experience/Qualifications

• Have a degree or post graduate qualification in town and country planning, or in a planning related discipline (e.g. Marine Spatial Planning, Environmental Planning, Town and Country Planning, Environmental Management, Urban Design, Transport Planning etc).
• OR Be a Chartered or Corporate Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) / Irish Planning Institute (IPI) or equivalent body.
• AND Have 3 years post qualification experience gained within the last 5 years of working in the planning profession.
• AND Have access to a form of transport which will enable the postholder 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 case work experience dealing with complex applications/licences.

Relevant or Equivalent Qualifications

Applications will also be considered from applicants with relevant formal qualifications considered to be of an equivalent or higher standard to those stated. Relevant or equivalent qualifications: give the type of qualification and date awarded (the date awarded is the date on which you were notified of your result by the official awarding body). If you believe your qualification is equivalent to the one required, the onus is on you to provide the panel with details of modules studied etc so that a well‑informed decision can be made.

For further details please apply directly below or contact Anne-Marie Erhalim directly. 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; for a copy of this policy please email Janki.Din@cpl.ie.

CPL is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive workplace will better our relationships and services with our clients, our candidates, our communities, and one another. Be You, Be Kind, Be Proud.