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- Tasks: Promote the interests of victims and witnesses, raising awareness and advocating for their needs.
- Company: Department of Justice, committed to equality and diversity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, contributory pension scheme, and a public profile role.
- Other info: Applications welcomed from diverse backgrounds, especially under-represented groups.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of victims and witnesses while leading impactful initiatives.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership, strategic direction, and experience supporting victims and witnesses.
The predicted salary is between 88268 - 97070 £ per year.
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 will be appointed for a 4-year term with remuneration on the Senior Civil Service Grade 5 scale, i.e. £88,268 - £97,070. The postholder can avail of a contributory pension scheme. This is a full-time position requiring 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 demonstrate experience of effective engagement and communication skills with a diverse range of audiences, and the ability to analyse information from various 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 groups, 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;
- 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: cvwcni.appointments@justice-ni.gov.uk 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.
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.
Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime for Northern Ireland in Belfast employer: Department of Justice
Contact Detail:
Department of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime for Northern Ireland in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the Department of Justice. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. We want to hear how you've supported victims and witnesses in the past. Make it personal and relatable – show us your empathy and understanding!
✨Tip Number 3
Research is key! Familiarise yourself with current issues affecting victims and witnesses in Northern Ireland. This will help you engage effectively during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to follow the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime for Northern Ireland in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Empathy: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience supporting victims and witnesses. We want to see how you've been empathetic and understanding of their needs, so share specific examples that showcase your advocacy skills.
Demonstrate Leadership: This role is all about leadership and strategic direction. In your application, we need to see how you've led teams or projects in the past. Don't just say you have experience; tell us about the impact you made and how you influenced others.
Engage Effectively: Communication is key! Make sure to illustrate your ability to engage with diverse audiences. We want to know how you've communicated complex ideas clearly and effectively, so include any relevant experiences that demonstrate this skill.
Be Analytical: We’re looking for someone who can think critically and make decisions based on analysis. In your application, provide examples of how you've tackled challenging issues and what improvements resulted from your decisions. This will show us your analytical thinking in action!
How to prepare for a job interview at Department of Justice
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, especially around supporting victims and witnesses. This will help you articulate your vision and how your experience aligns with the needs of the position.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your ability to support victims and witnesses. Think about times when you've advocated for someone or made a positive impact in their lives. This is crucial, as empathy is a key trait for this role.
✨Leadership and Collaboration
Be ready to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've set strategic direction in previous roles. Highlight experiences where you've collaborated across sectors and influenced others to achieve common goals. This will show you can lead effectively in a complex environment.
✨Analytical Thinking in Action
Prepare to discuss how you've tackled challenging issues in the past. Bring examples that showcase your analytical thinking and decision-making skills. Be specific about the outcomes of your decisions and how they led to improvements, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.