About the Role
The Assistant Principal in the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) holds a senior managerial role responsible for delivering the FSPO’s strategic objectives and ensuring high-quality service. Key responsibilities include:
- Leadership and management of teams, stakeholder engagement, programme delivery, and performance monitoring.
- A minimum of two days office attendance is required, with the option for up to three days of hybrid working.
In the specific role of Decision Drafter, responsibilities include:
- Drafting Summaries of Complaint, outlining the conduct complained of, relevant questions, and evidence needed.
- Preparing Preliminary Decisions that assess evidence, legal/regulatory responsibilities, and propose potential redress.
- Drafting Legally Binding Decisions, incorporating any further submissions after preliminary findings.
The Decision Drafter collaborates closely with the Ombudsman, senior leadership, and legal teams throughout the decision-making process.
Specific key responsibilities will include:
• To investigate complaints and draft fair and balanced decisions contributing to the development of robust decisions
• To work with the Ombudsman, Deputies, and/or delegates in relation to the draft decisions and/or documents prepared and to have in depth discussions about those decisions
• To engage with the parties to the complaint, as required
• To manage the assigned complaint caseload effectively within the stipulated time frames
• Researching and keeping abreast of relevant legislation, regulation and case law to ensure draft decisions have regard to the statutory and regulatory background within which the conduct complained of occurred
• To deal efficiently with administrative duties as required
• Contribute to the development and achievement of the strategic goals of the FSPO generally, and divisional objectives in particular, by participating in cross-divisional projects as required and progressing potential strategic projects
• Any other duties as assigned by the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman from time to time
Essential Requirements
Candidates, on or before 3rd September 2025, must meet either 1 or 2 AND
must meet i, ii and iii:
1. A) Have been called to the Bar and be enrolled as a Barrister in the State or
have been admitted and be enrolled as a Solicitor in the State
AND
1. B) Have practiced as a Barrister or Solicitor in the State for not less than
three years.
OR
2. A) Hold a qualification at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of
Qualifications (NFQ) OR an equivalent professional qualification
AND
2. B) Have a minimum of 5 years demonstrable professional experience
relevant to the role.
AND
Candidates must also have the necessary experience with a record of achievement that demonstrates their capacity to deliver in this challenging role including:
i. Experience of analysing, evaluating and integrating a range of complex information such as contractual, legislative or regulatory provisions, in a rational and objective manner
ii. Experience demonstrating good judgement and sound decision-making
iii. Excellent writing skills and attention to detail as evidenced in their application form and/or written exercise
In addition to the specific essential requirements set out above, candidates must be able to demonstrate that they possess the competencies identified for effective performance at Assistant Principal Officer level as set out in Appendix A.
HOW TO APPLY:
Completed application forms must then be uploaded via the portal at https://www.consciatalent.com/fspo no later than 5pm (Irish time) on Wednesday 3rd September 2025. Applications will not be accepted by any other method, nor if received after the closing date. CV's will not be considered.
When outlining your application, accuracy is essential. The information you supply in your application will play a central part of the selection process.
If you do not receive an acknowledgement of receipt of your application within 24 hours, please check your junk/spam folders as email notifications may be filtered here.
The onus is on each applicant to ensure that they are in receipt of all communication from Conscia Limited. Conscia Limited accept no responsibility for communication not accessed or received by an applicant.
If you have any queries about the role, please contact us at fspo@consciatalent.com
