14974 - Parades Commission for Northern Ireland - Rural Caseworker
| Posting date: | 18 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £35,335 to £37,847 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 09 March 2026 |
| Location: | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Ministry of Justice |
| Job type: | Contract |
| Job reference: | 14974 |
Summary
Background
The Parades Commission was established under the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. The duties and functions of the Commission set out in 1998 Act are:
To promote greater understanding by the general public of issues concerning public processions.
To promote and facilitate mediation as a means of resolving disputes concerning public processions.
To keep itself generally informed as to the conduct of public processions and protest meetings.
To keep under review, and make such recommendations as it thinks fit to the Secretary of State concerning the operation of the Act.
The Commission are currently seeking to appoint a Caseworker who will assist it in its decision making by providing advice and guidance. The caseworker plays a crucial role in stakeholder engagement and will work alongside the Deputy Secretary and Secretary to ensure the Commission is fully briefed and receives representation from all stakeholders during its deliberation process.
For more information about what we do:
Visit: www.paradescommission.org
About the Role:
Duties and Responsibilities:
The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
Establishing and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including parade/protest organisers, PSNI, local political representatives, residents’ groups, church representatives, PUL and CRN community reps, members of the public etc.
Building up an extensive knowledge of parading in Northern Ireland and undertaking research in relation to parading in other jurisdictions as required.
Dealing with sensitive/contentious parades – seeking additional information and arranging oral/written representation from stakeholders; drafting determinations/correspondence following decisions made by the Commission; advising parade/protest organisers of the outcome of Commission considerations and dealing with enquiries and complaints.
Preparing detailed briefs for the Commission on sensitive parades; presenting information to the Commission at formal meetings both verbally and in report format.
The Caseworker reports directly to the Deputy Secretary and to the Secretary. The post holder will exercise a high degree of autonomy for his/her particular area of work and have the ability to work as a key member of a small secretariat team. Hybrid working arrangements are offered as part of this role.
Note:
The successful officer may be required to work normal office hours of 9am to 5pm, however additional hours may be required particularly during the main parading period of June – August. There will also be restrictions on annual leave during these months.
Essential Criteria:
The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview:
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:
Strong oral and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills to deal with a range of stakeholders
Integrity, impartiality and sensitivity; and
Local political awareness
Notes:
The successful candidate for this opportunity will be a staff officer or equivalent substantive grade or meet the eligibility requirements for the post.
The post holder will be required to work outside normal conditioned hours e.g. evenings, weekends and public holidays to attend outreach meetings, Commission meetings and parades.
Due to the nature of the work this can often be at short notice. The post holder will be, where possible, expected to take annual leave outside the busy parading periods of Easter and during June – August.
CTC clearance is an essential requirement for this post and successful applicants must undergo CTC clearance on taking up post if not already held.
The post holder must have access to a form of transport for use in connection with work.
Desirable Criteria:
Previous experience of working with, or supporting relationships with organisations in a group structure;
Previous experience of supporting senior decision makers
Previous experience of working independently, to deadlines
Previous experience of analysing information, producing concise briefings and reports
Behaviours:
We will assess you against the Success Profiles behaviours at HEO level during the application sift and interview process.
. Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
. Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
. Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive
Experience:
Please provide a work history no longer than 500 words outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. Both will be used in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.
Your statement of suitability needs to set out evidence of how your experience meets the requirements set out above. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. One narrative example may cover the requirements needed. You don’t have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why. What you can do, the skills you have that are transferable and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.
The Parades Commission was established under the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. The duties and functions of the Commission set out in 1998 Act are:
To promote greater understanding by the general public of issues concerning public processions.
To promote and facilitate mediation as a means of resolving disputes concerning public processions.
To keep itself generally informed as to the conduct of public processions and protest meetings.
To keep under review, and make such recommendations as it thinks fit to the Secretary of State concerning the operation of the Act.
The Commission are currently seeking to appoint a Caseworker who will assist it in its decision making by providing advice and guidance. The caseworker plays a crucial role in stakeholder engagement and will work alongside the Deputy Secretary and Secretary to ensure the Commission is fully briefed and receives representation from all stakeholders during its deliberation process.
For more information about what we do:
Visit: www.paradescommission.org
About the Role:
Duties and Responsibilities:
The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
Establishing and maintaining relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including parade/protest organisers, PSNI, local political representatives, residents’ groups, church representatives, PUL and CRN community reps, members of the public etc.
Building up an extensive knowledge of parading in Northern Ireland and undertaking research in relation to parading in other jurisdictions as required.
Dealing with sensitive/contentious parades – seeking additional information and arranging oral/written representation from stakeholders; drafting determinations/correspondence following decisions made by the Commission; advising parade/protest organisers of the outcome of Commission considerations and dealing with enquiries and complaints.
Preparing detailed briefs for the Commission on sensitive parades; presenting information to the Commission at formal meetings both verbally and in report format.
The Caseworker reports directly to the Deputy Secretary and to the Secretary. The post holder will exercise a high degree of autonomy for his/her particular area of work and have the ability to work as a key member of a small secretariat team. Hybrid working arrangements are offered as part of this role.
Note:
The successful officer may be required to work normal office hours of 9am to 5pm, however additional hours may be required particularly during the main parading period of June – August. There will also be restrictions on annual leave during these months.
Essential Criteria:
The post holder will need to demonstrate the following in their application and at interview:
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:
Strong oral and written communication skills
Strong interpersonal skills to deal with a range of stakeholders
Integrity, impartiality and sensitivity; and
Local political awareness
Notes:
The successful candidate for this opportunity will be a staff officer or equivalent substantive grade or meet the eligibility requirements for the post.
The post holder will be required to work outside normal conditioned hours e.g. evenings, weekends and public holidays to attend outreach meetings, Commission meetings and parades.
Due to the nature of the work this can often be at short notice. The post holder will be, where possible, expected to take annual leave outside the busy parading periods of Easter and during June – August.
CTC clearance is an essential requirement for this post and successful applicants must undergo CTC clearance on taking up post if not already held.
The post holder must have access to a form of transport for use in connection with work.
Desirable Criteria:
Previous experience of working with, or supporting relationships with organisations in a group structure;
Previous experience of supporting senior decision makers
Previous experience of working independently, to deadlines
Previous experience of analysing information, producing concise briefings and reports
Behaviours:
We will assess you against the Success Profiles behaviours at HEO level during the application sift and interview process.
. Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
. Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
. Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive
Experience:
Please provide a work history no longer than 500 words outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. Both will be used in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.
Your statement of suitability needs to set out evidence of how your experience meets the requirements set out above. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. One narrative example may cover the requirements needed. You don’t have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why. What you can do, the skills you have that are transferable and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role.