Communications Officer (Executive Officer)

About this competition The FSPO is seeking to recruit suitable candidates to be placed on a panel for the role of Communications Officer (Executive Officer). The FSPO currently has one vacancy for a Communications Officer (Executive Officer) in its Corporate and Communication Services Directorate. The Executive Officer role in the FSPO is a critical role delivering against our important statutory remit.

As an FSPO Executive Officer you • Have clearly defined roles in an organisation that make a difference to the lives of consumers. • Have clear public sector pay scales and increases in line with central agreements. • Have membership of our pension scheme and annual leave entitlements. • Are part of a growing organisation delivering a critical role in Ireland’s consumer protection framework with opportunities for career progression. • Have personal development opportunities through in-house training and development and the potential of access to fee refund schemes for education and paid study leave. • Have access to our hybrid work policy and flexible working hours. • Will work in a dynamic, collaborative and interactive work environment. • Will work in a modern city centre office located in central Dublin, which is easily accessible by public transport.

• Have access to employee schemes such as Tax Saver tickets, bike-to-work scheme and bike storage onsite. • Have access to a supportive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and other Health and Wellbeing initiatives.

The FSPO expects to establish a panel from this campaign. Successful candidates will be placed on a panel from which appointments may be made. Vacancies will be offered to candidates placed on the panel based on the Order of Merit from interview. Once an offer of appointment has been accepted or rejected by a candidate, a candidate will be removed from the panel and no further offers of appointment will be made to that candidate. Any panel formed as part of this campaign which is not exhausted through appointment of candidates to current or future vacancies will expire 2 years from the date of creation of the panel. About the Communications Officer (Executive Officer) Role The Communications Officer will work in Corporate and Communication Services (CCS), reporting to the Corporate and Communications Manager. The Directorate provides information on the services of the FSPO to our customers through our contact channels, including by phone, email, on our website and through social media. The Communications Officer will be part of the Communications team which is responsible for communicating the work of the FSPO to the public and other stakeholders through media releases, publications, PR campaigns, social media and stakeholder engagement. The Communications Officer will work collaboratively to develop and operationalise the FSPO’s social media strategy, creating engaging, innovative and relevant content across the FSPO’s social media platforms, in line with the FSPO’s brand guidelines. The role will also involve providing communications and administrative support to the Communications team, including the development of content for internal communications channels.

The role will suit a creative individual with superior communications skills, providing an exciting opportunity for hands-on experience in a busy and dynamic communications function.

Responsibilities • Manage the FSPO’s social media accounts to provide a regular flow of unique and creative content that is designed to maximise engagement and performance and grow and expand our online presence. • Develop and deliver creative and innovative social media content, including infographics, videos and imagery content for use across Facebook and LinkedIn. • Monitor and measure the performance of FSPO social media activity and engagement, producing regular metrics and analytics reports. • Monitor social media to identify emerging trends and potential issues, and research and monitor activity of company competitors/peer organisations. • Monitor digital marketing platforms and ensure optimisation. • Draft communications material, including online content for fspo.ie, features and other ad hoc requests and provide administrative support to the wider Corporate Communications team. • Develop creative material for publication on internal communications channels. • Support the Corporate and Communications Manager to manage the administration of the communications budget. • Provide training and guidance on social media implementation best practices and strategies. • Support internal communications by facilitating collaboration, engagement, feedback, and recognition among employees, and developing creative content for internal communications channels. • Assist the Communications Manager in the implementation of the FSPO Communications and Engagement Strategy. • Develop and manage relationships with third-party service providers, including website developers, PR companies, digital marketing suppliers, creative agencies, government departments and key stakeholders in the financial services industry. • Maintain the FSPO’s website, when required. • Maintain and track the FSPO’s Irish language advertising and ensure compliance with the Official Language (Amendment) Act 2021. • Represent the FSPO at public events and assist with event management. • Assist with the preparation and publication of statutory publications such as the Overview of Complaints, the Annual Report and the Ombudsman’s Digest of Decisions and any other reporting that may be required. • Proactively engage with teams across the FSPO to support the development of statutory publications. • Develop or improve skills in the areas of publishing software, accessibility in publications and websites, and pdf editing. • Take ownership for the delivery of own work, delivering with efficiency, effectiveness and quality. Support the Corporate and Communications Manager in any other duties as required by the role.

Essential Requirements: In the Job Application Form, candidates must demonstrate how they meet all three essential requirements outlined under Sections A – C below. A. Educational requirements Candidates must, on or before Tuesday, 22 October 2024: (i) have obtained a minimum Level 7 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications; or (ii) have obtained in the Established Leaving Certificate Examination a minimum of Grade D (or post 2017 Leaving Certificate O6 grade) at Ordinary level in Mathematics and Irish or English, having obtained a minimum of Grade C (or post 2017 Leaving Certificate H4 grade) in at least five subjects at Higher level; or hold a qualification, that in the opinion of the FSPO, is of a standard in terms of both level and volume of learning that is of at least an equivalent or higher standard; or (iii) have completed and passed all examinations in Year 1 of a three or fouryear programme leading to a minimum Level 7 qualification on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) National Framework of Qualifications; or (iv) be serving as a Civil or Public Servant with at least two years’ service and have obtained at least five subjects in the Established Leaving Certificate Examination (including Mathematics and Irish or English), three of which should be minimum Grade C (or post 2017 Leaving Certificate H4 grade) at Higher level, the others should be at a minimum Grade D (or post 2017 Leaving Certificate O6 grade) at Ordinary level; or have passed an examination(s) which would be acceptable to the FSPO as being of at least an equivalent standard to the Established Leaving Certificate. B. Required experience, knowledge and skills Candidates must demonstrate that they meet all the following criteria in terms of experience, knowledge and skills.

B1. A third level qualification in a relevant discipline or a minimum of 2 years’ work experience in a communications role, including: • Excellent writing skills and experience of producing and drafting content. • Experience in creating social media content and customising brand assets for social media. • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to multitask and manage competing deadlines. • Excellent interpersonal skills. • Experience of MS Office applications (i.e. Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) And B2. Candidates must demonstrate strong written communication skills and excellent attention to detail, as evidenced by their Application Form. C. Competencies required Candidates must demonstrate, by reference to specific achievements in their career to date, that they possess the qualities, skills and knowledge required for the role of Executive Officer as identified by the Public Appointments Service Executive Officer level competency framework set out in Appendix 1, and as listed below: • People Management • Analysis and Decision Making • Delivery of Results • Interpersonal & Communication Skills • Specialist Knowledge, Expertise and Self Development • Drive and Commitment to Public Service Values

An invitation to tests, interview or any element of the selection process is not acceptance of eligibility. Eligibility may not be confirmed until the final stage of the process, therefore, candidates who do not possess the essential requirements, on the closing date of 22 October 2024, and proceed with their application, are putting themselves to unnecessary effort/expense and will not be offered a position from this campaign. Candidates who are unable to show that they hold the qualifications outlined in their application may be eliminated from the campaign at any stage.

Desirable experience, knowledge and skills: • Experience of Canva and creating visuals for online or print using photos, designs, and audio. • Experience of using a website content management system and knowledge of best practice in websites and accessibility. • Experience of digital marketing and associated platforms. • A strong interest in or experience of public affairs. • Experience working with, or an interest in, the public service. • Knowledge of consumer affairs • Experience managing diaries, schedules and budgets.

Other Eligibility Criteria Eligibility to compete and certain restrictions on eligibility: Candidates must, by the date of any job offer, be: (a) A citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA consists of the Member States of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway; or (b) A citizen of the United Kingdom (UK); or (c) A citizen of Switzerland pursuant to the agreement between the EU and Switzerland on the free movement of persons; or (d) A non-EEA citizen who has a stamp 4 visa; or (e) A person awarded international protection under the International Protection Act 2015 or a family member entitled to remain in the State as a result of family reunification and has a stamp 4 visa or (f) A non-EEA citizen who is a parent of a dependent child who is a citizen of, and resident in, an EEA member state or the UK or Switzerland and has a stamp 4 visa. Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform letter dated 28 June 2012 to Personnel Officers introduced, with effect from 1 June 2012, a Collective Agreement which had been reached between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Services Committee of the ICTU in relation to ex-gratia Redundancy Payments to Public Servants. It is a condition of the Collective Agreement that persons availing of the agreement will not be eligible for re-employment in the Public Service by any Public Service body (as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011) for a period of 2 years from termination of the employment. People who availed of this scheme and who may be successful in this competition will have to prove their eligibility (expiry of period of non-eligibility).

Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) It is a condition of the Incentivised Scheme for Early Retirement (ISER) as set out in Department of Finance Circular 12/09 that retirees, under that Scheme, are not eligible to apply for another position in the same employment or the same sector. Therefore, such retirees may not apply for this position. Department of Environment, Community & Local Government (Circular Letter LG(P) 06/2013) The Department of Environment, Community & Local Government Circular Letter LG(P) 06/2013 introduced a Voluntary Redundancy Scheme for Local Authorities. In accordance with the terms of the Collective Agreement: Redundancy Payments to Public Servants dated 28 June 2012 as detailed above, it is a specific condition of that VER Scheme that persons will not be eligible for re-employment in any Public Service body [as defined by the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts 2009 – 2011 and the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012] for a period of 2 years from their date of departure under this Scheme. These conditions also apply in the case of engagement/employment on a contract for service basis (either as a contractor or as an employee of a contractor).

Declaration Applicants will be required to declare whether they have previously availed of a Public Service scheme of incentivised early retirement. Applicants will also be required to declare any entitlements to a Public Service pension benefit (in payment or preserved) from any other Public Service employment and/or where they have received a payment-in-lieu in respect of service in any Public Service employment.

Principal Conditions of Service General While it is envisaged that appointments arising from this competition will be to a full-time permanent position in the public service (following an appropriate initial probationary period), the FSPO reserves the right to use the panel formed from this competition to fill other vacancies which may arise which may not be permanent in tenure.

Pay The salary and terms and conditions for an Executive Officer are those, as set out below, that currently apply to Executive Officer (Standard Scale PPC) in the public service.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER (PPC) €36,044 €37,965 €39,050 €41,167 €43,064 €44,900 €46,729 €48,519 €50,328 €52,097 €53,974 €55,232 €57,026¹ €58,834² Long service increments (LSI) may be payable after 3 (LSI1)1 and 6 (LSI2)2 years’ satisfactory service at the maximum of the scale. Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum of the salary scale and will not be subject to negotiation and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Increments may be awarded subject to satisfactory performance, in line with Government pay policy.

Important Note Different terms and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is already a serving Civil Servant or Public Servant.

Tenure The appointment will be to a permanent post in the public service. The appointee will be required to serve a 10-month probationary period.

Assignment / Location The successful candidate’s place of work will be the FSPO’s offices at Lincoln House, Dublin 2. Presently, FSPO staff can apply to work remotely for up to three days per week. This is subject to business needs, performance, and the requirements of the role. Future working arrangements will be determined by the broader public service policy framework. When required to travel on official duty the appointee will be paid appropriate travelling expenses and subsistence allowances, subject to normal public service regulations.

Hours of Attendance Hours of attendance will be fixed from time to time but will amount to not less than 43 hours and 15 minutes gross per week. The successful candidate will be required to work such additional hours from time to time as may be reasonable and necessary for the proper performance of his/her duties subject to the limits set down in the working time regulations. The FSPO operates a Flexible Working Arrangements System (flexi-time) for certain grades, including Executive Officer.