Candidate Information Booklet IRC238060
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Candidate Information Booklet IRC238060 Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in North America (Grade 5) The Executive Office (TEO) Completed Application Forms must be submitted to HRConnect no later than 12 noon (UK time) on Friday 24th May 2019 Please retain a copy of this booklet for your reference throughout the selection process. TheAnnex Executive B Office (TEO) 15 Communication between HRConnect and you HRConnect will issue electronically as many competition communications as possible, you should therefore check your email account, including junk mail folder, to make sure that you don’t miss any important communications in relation to this competition. There may, however, still be a necessity to issue some correspondence by hard copy mail. Contents Page Foreword 3 Background 5 Key Responsibilities 7 Terms and Conditions 8 Eligibility Criteria 12 Assessment Process 14 Guidance for Applicants 18 General Information 21 FOREWORD - BY THE HEAD OF THE NORTHERN IRELAND CIVIL SERVICE Northern Ireland’s political and economic footprint in Washington DC is much larger than many other small countries and regions. Successive US Administrations and leading political figures have taken a keen interest in Northern Ireland’s political development and economic regeneration. That interest is as strong today as it was in 1998 when the Belfast Agreement was signed. From an economic perspective, the United States remains Northern Ireland’s most important source of inward investment. Almost 200 American companies employ almost 26,000 people in jobs that are as diverse as manufacturing, financial services and medical research. The tourism story is equally positive, in 2017 we welcomed over a quarter of a million visitors from across the Atlantic who contributed over £80m to our economy. The Northern Ireland Bureau in North America operates in this favourable context, and it is, therefore, vitally important for Northern Ireland that we maintain and strengthen relationships with the political and corporate communities across the US. We recognize that, in promoting our region, we must continually seek out new contacts and be aware of the need to work with the Executive departments, the NI business community and civil society. Our goal now is to become an internationally focussed region, making a contribution in the world and being a place to invest, visit or study. That message is also being developed in Canada where there are a significant number of NI expatriates and business opportunities.. The Bureau’s mission is to establish relationships with the United States and Canada that are mutually beneficial, actively seeking opportunities to promote our capabilities and looking for areas where we benefit practically and receive support. As a diplomatic office of the Executive, the Bureau is responsible for marketing and selling a modern Northern Ireland to targeted groups throughout the North America. It does this by creating a positive image and promoting our achievements with potential partner organisations. This includes developing a strong ‘corporate’ message in line with the Executive’s International Relations Strategy, working closely with our partner organisations from other public bodies and with organisations representing our private sector. This position is an exciting and challenging one where you can represent and promote the best of Northern Ireland in the world’s largest economy. It will require an individual with energy and drive who can demonstrate a passion for the region and the ability to capitalise on opportunities and have the confidence to communicate with senior decision makers in government, politics and business. If you possess these qualities and are seeking an exciting and rewarding career opportunity I would invite you to apply for this post. 3 David Sterling Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service 4 BACKGROUND The Executive Office (TEO) is a Department of the Northern Ireland Civil Service with a wide range of responsibilities. The Departmental aim is to contribute to and oversee the co-ordination of Executive policies and programmes to deliver a peaceful, fair, equal and prosperous society. The strategic objectives of the Department include: Providing advice, guidance and support to the First Minister and deputy First Minister as Joint Chairs of the Executive and to Ministers and Departments concerning participation in the institutions of government; Developing, overseeing and co-coordinating the delivery of the Programme for Government and the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland; and Promoting and monitoring implementation of cross-cutting policy and strategy in key areas including equality of opportunity, good relations, tackling poverty and social exclusion, children and young people, victims and survivors, regeneration, sustainable development, economic policy; international relations (on devolved issues) and civil contingencies. Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington The NI Bureau (NIB) is recognized as an Annex of the British Embassy. Its office is in downtown Washington, DC. It has a complement of six staff, two NI civil servants, who have diplomatic status, plus four locally engaged staff, one of whom is based at the British Consulate General in New York. Its primary goal is to promote Northern Ireland to the United States as a confident, capable and outwardly looking region. Through its work, many organisations and individuals in the United States and Canada have supported developments in Northern Ireland over the years and there has been a very positive response to to the Bureau’s outreach strategy across all its target groups. The role of the Bureau is to: Represent the interests of the Executive at the highest levels within the US Administration, Congress and state and municipal governments, and in Canada; To work in partnership with InvestNI and Tourism Ireland to ensure that a coordinated and seamless message is delivered on the economic and tourism potential that NI offers; Further develop partnerships with key organisations such as the US Departments of State, Commerce and Justice, US universities and business organisations; Make a direct contribution to develop a positive profile of Northern Ireland among US policy-makers, opinion-formers and the media by 5 ensuring that the policies of the Executive and its associated institutions are known and understood; Monitor political and policy developments in the US and Canada, and provide weekly reports to Executive Ministers, senior Executive Office officials and Departments on issues that are relevant to the Programme for Government and on opportunities for co-operation; and, Pursue areas of collaboration and partnership particularly in the areas of Research and Development, cultural exchanges (including Irish and Scots Irish organisations), university collaboration (eg. in partnership with QUB and UU), and encourage their development in ways that maximise the mutual benefits. Provide support and guidance to NI organizations who wish to develop/strengthen relationships with the North America. The 2018/19 Business Plan reflects the themes and priorities in the Programme for Government. Current key work areas include: Education and Leadership Economic Development Cultural Research & Technology Reconciliation, Equality and Citizenship Regeneration Enhancing Civic Relationships. For further information on the work of the Bureau please go to the website at www.nibureau.com Directorate Structure The NI Bureau in Washington sits within the International Relations Group of The Executive Office. The Group is headed by a Director General (Grade 2) and contains the following units – European Directorate which comprises: o EU Future Relations; o European Policy and Coordination; o Office of the NI Executive in Brussels; and o North South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat (North) NI Bureau in China NI Bureau in North America 6 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The post holder will report to the Director General of International Relations in the Executive Office and their main duties are as follows: support the NI Administration in taking forward its wider objectives in the United States and Canada; build and maintain effective working relationships with senior officials in relevant departments of the US Administration; with the Ambassador and senior management in the British Embassy and throughout the British Consular system in the US and Canada; develop constructive working relationships with the Embassy of Ireland and its consular network throughout the US; and with influential private and public sector figures in both North America and at home; promote Northern Ireland’s relationship with the US Administration and Congress; promote co-operation with relevant political and economic targets in Canada and to develop a strategy for strengthening working relationships there; be responsible for the overall leadership and management of the Bureau; manage and oversee the work of the Deputy Director and the locally engaged staff; be responsible for the effective and efficient expenditure of the budget allocation in support of the strategic aims and objectives of the Bureau; develop and review the NIB strategy, action plans and Risk Register; identify strategic issues impacting on the Northern Ireland mission in North America and provide advice thereon; achieve results and ensure innovation and improvement in the key sectors identified in the Bureau’s strategy; consider the information available in relation to legislation, policy development