Chief of Staff

About the role

This is a vital role at the very centre of the Commission, working directly to and in support of the Chief Executive Officer. The successful candidate will provide overall leadership of the Board and Executive Secretariat teams, ensuring the Chief Executive, Commissioners and senior leadership of the organisation are provided with high quality strategic support and advice.

In addition to providing direct strategic support to the Chief Executive, the postholder will provide oversight to the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners, ensuring all Commissioners are equipped and supported to fulfil their roles.

The postholder will forge strong positive relationships with colleagues across the Commission, including at senior level, providing the link between the Commissioners, senior leaders and the wider organisation. They will support the Commissioners and senior team to ensure cohesive and informed decision-making on key issues, triaging and prioritising in line with the strategic objectives of the organisation.

This role offers the postholder an unrivalled level of exposure to the most senior leaders in the organisation, and ample opportunities for learning and development.

Key responsibilities

The postholder will:

• Provide direct strategic support to the Chief Executive Officer in the delivery of her functions as both Commissioner and Accounting Officer.
• Work collaboratively with the Board and be open to appropriate scrutiny and challenge provided by the Non-Executive Commissioners.
• Oversee compliance with the Commission’s governance framework, including facilitation of Board and Committee meetings, quality assurance of papers, delivery of actions and reporting, and reviews of terms of reference.
• Provide advice and guidance to the wider Commission on matters of good governance and propriety, including in relation to conflicts of interest, expenses, and gifts and hospitality.
• Line manage and guide the work of the Board Secretary in supporting Board members individually and collectively in the delivery of their duties.
• Provide overall leadership of the Board Secretariat and Executive Secretariat teams: setting direction, managing performance, developing team members and managing the budget for the Commission Secretariat.
• Lead on records management for the Commission, including the policy approach and responsibility for the Commission’s responsibilities under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Data Subject Access Requests.
• Lead on the management of complaints relating to Commission staff’s adherence to the Code of Conduct.
• Provide ownership of the Commission’s ‘Raising a Concern’ policy and procedures.
• Develop smarter ways of working to improve efficiency and delivery.
• Build and develop strong working relationships across the whole Commission.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience of providing strategic support and advice to executive leaders in an organisation.
• Ability to build effective and trusting relationships confidently with senior leaders across organisational boundaries.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including an ability to proof-read, summarise and communicate complex information quickly.
• The ability to stay calm under pressure, displaying strong planning and logistical skills.
• Understanding of the NI political and constitutional context.
• Experience of managing and leading a high-performing team.
• Existing security clearance at SC level (preferred) or the willingness to obtain (to note that the security clearance level may increase to DV clearance at a future date).

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in a board/committee secretariat capacity or similar, including with non-executive members.
• Experience in embedding good governance practices and procedures.
• We are looking for proactive, intellectually curious, and enthusiastic individuals, willing to grapple with complex work areas.

A successful candidate will:

• Be highly adaptable and flexible, adjusting to the requirements and strategic direction of the organisation
• Have excellent verbal and written communication, with experience of minute taking
• Be an engaging leader and trusted adviser, with the credibility and experience to lead a team to deliver quality outcomes
• Have outstanding interpersonal skills to build trusted relationships with internal teams and senior leaders across the group
• Be highly organised, efficient, and flexible as well as able to juggle competing priorities effectively whilst working in a fast paced and dynamic environment
• Proactively identify and action opportunities to build organisation-wide knowledge and improve office processes
• Have a proactive approach to line management with a focus on encouraging and supporting the team whilst recognising and appreciating challenging demands and deadlines.

To APPLY

If you are interested please can you send a personal statement of maximum 2 pages including your CV to recruitment@icrir.independent-inquiry.uk

This role will close on the 6th February, 2025

For more information on the role please watch our videos from Louise Warde Hunter, the CEO and Commissioner, who is the line manager for the role and Nikki Bodel, talking about her experience of working in a similar role in the Commission. The videos will be available in due course on Career opportunities at the ICRIR – Independent Commission for Reconciliation & Information Recovery

We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.