Grade: Assistant Principal (AP)
Division: Consumer Protection Division
Unit: Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Unit
Reporting to: Deputy Director of Consumer Protection
Employing Authority: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
Location: Dublin 1
Closing Date: 12 noon, Friday, 14 June 2019
Role Summary
The Consumer Protection Division (‘CPD’) is primarily responsible for exercising the CCPC’s functions in the areas of consumer protection. CPD has a wide remit across a broad spectrum of consumer interests. At a high level it works to ensure that the interests of customers are protected in line with National and European legislative requirements.
The Consumer Protection Co-operation Unit (CPC) is a newly formed Unit and is one of three Units that forms part of the Consumer Protection Division. Each Unit is headed by a Senior Manager who is part of the Senior Management Team within the Division.
The Consumer Protection Co-operation Unit (CPC) will have responsibility for fulfilling the CCPC’s obligations under the existing and forthcoming Consumer Protection Cooperation framework. This framework brings EU Member States' enforcement authorities into a close working relationship with each other and with consumer protection matters.
The Head of the CPC Unit will be expected to contribute to and engage with the overall management of the Division. The successful candidate will be primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of this new Unit and ensuring that the Unit is capable of undertaking the roles and responsibilities as provided for under the new CPC Regulation (EU) 2017/2394 (the ‘CPC Regulation’).
Consumer Protection Co-operation Unit (CPC)
In 2006 the European Commission published regulations ((EC) No 2006/2004) on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws. The regulation, referred to as the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) regulation, established a network of authorities across the European Union. Since then, these authorities have worked to address breaches of consumer law where the trader and the consumer are based in different Member States.
In 2017 the European Commission issued new regulations (EU 2017/2394) on cooperation between national authorities responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection laws. This new CPC Regulation builds on the previous regulation and extends the scope of co-operation between the Competent Authorities (CAs) within the network. The regulation introduces new obligations in terms of cooperation, investigations and enforcement of consumer legislation.
It is expected that the new CPC Regulation will be transposed into Irish Law early next year. The CCPC will have an important new role as a CA, but also as the Single Liaison Office for Ireland (SLO). As the SLO for Ireland, the CCPC will have a central role coordinating the investigative and enforcement activities of the CAs. Therefore, the CCPC will be required to work closely with other competent authorities in Ireland as well as those in other European countries and with the European Commission.
The CPC Unit within the CCPC will lead on this new role, building key stakeholder relationships at national and international level. The CCPC’s vision is for open and competitive markets where consumer are protected and businesses actively compete. The new CPC Regulation reflects the evolving consumer landscape and the CPC Unit will be key to ensuring that the CCPC is able to deliver on these new obligations while continuing to work towards our vision.
Key Responsibilities
A. Plan and manage the responsibilities of the CCPC under the CPC Regulation:
− Lead on the establishment of a new functional CPC team (4 members)
− Review information and enforcement requests received from enforcement authorities in other member states through the CPC network. Make informed decisions on how to progress these requests, collaborating with other divisions within the CCPC, where necessary.
− Develop and roll out training aids that are available from the CCPC.
− Oversee the development and general administration of a management system including access to and use of CPC System and CPC Wiki Systems.
− Administer responsibilities and opportunities for the CCPC under the CHAFEA programme.
− Analyse statistics and monitor trends arising from international activity, and proactively respond to emerging trends in functional areas of responsibility.
− Report to the Deputy Director on progress, achievements, issues, international activities and results. Contribute to overall divisional reporting where required.
B. Manage Ireland’s Single Liaison Office (SLO) including:
− Manage the contact with the European Commission, the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation, other national competent authorities and international competent authorities under the CPC Regulation.
− Establish contacts and build relationships with the relevant national and international competent authorities.
− Work with national competent authorities to ensure that information and enforcement requests assigned to them are progressed in a timely and appropriate manner.
C. Work closely with the other members of the CPD Senior Management Team to ensure integration with the wider Divisional structures and divisional activities.
D. Carry out any other additional tasks that may be assigned by the Director or Deputy Director in order to support the work of the division.
E. The role is likely to involve travel within the EU, including attending CPC Committee Meetings and others e.g. E-Enforcement Group meetings, as required.
Technical and Professional Requirements
Essential
Relevant Degree or equivalent in economics, law, regulation or compliance, or comparable professional experience in the conduct of investigations and enforcement actions.
Minimum of 3 years’ experience of working within a compliance or regulatory environment
Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail.
Proven ability to lead and deliver on parallel projects within tight time frames and with multi-disciplinary and cross Divisional participation.
Demonstrable communication and influencing skills including the ability to build effective working relationships.
Demonstrable experience and ability to lead and manage teams.
Desirable
Knowledge and experience of Consumer Protection legislation,
Knowledge and experience of best practice in document/record/case management,
Knowledge and experience of information analysis including the collection and processing of complex information from multiple sources,
Experience of implementing change management processes and/or previous exposure to and engagement with the creation of a new team,
Experience of working across agencies and/or in an international environment/ networks.
How to Apply
1. Download the Job Information Booklet and Selection Process Guide below:
Selection Process Guide (Download)
Job Information Booklet (Download)
2. As per selection process guides we are looking for Cover letter (No more than one A4 page) & Up to date CV to be uploaded as part of the process. These must be uploaded as one document to the link below:
Closing Date
Closing date for applications is 12 noon, Friday, 14 June 2019