Investigating Officer

Client
VANRATH are delighted to be working alongside our client, a well-known Public Sector Organisation based in Belfast to recruit an Investigating Officer on an initial 3 month basis with possibility for extension. The Investigating Officer will assess and investigate complaints of maladministration by local government.
The Ideal Person

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Experience of dealing with large volumes of information and deciding on the salient points
• Experience of drafting detailed written reports
• Excellent organisational and planning skills including the ability to manage a complex workload and competing priorities and to work under pressure to tight timescales
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to deal with robust challenge from complainants or public service providers whilst showing appropriate empathy
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to write clearly and effectively and capture all important facts and opinions in drafting detailed letters, reports, submissions and policy documents
• Ability to work as part of a team and contribute to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities
As Investigating Officer you will:

• Assess and/or investigate complaints in accordance with NI legislation
• Manage a caseload and other competing priorities while taking personal responsibility for completion of tasks and casework within the office KPIs and service quality standards
• Become familiar with and remain informed and updated in relation to all relevant legislation, policy and procedures
• Identify the relevant and proportionate lines of enquiry to be followed in assessing and/or investigating any issue/complaint that is allocated to them
• Collate and analyse large volumes of data and information from a range of sources, and weigh and assess the evidence obtained in order to evaluate its systemic significance and impact
• Interview parties to the investigation and witnesses as appropriate
• Reach conclusions and propose findings and recommendations
• Develop and issue relevant enquiry letters, decision/resolution letters and survey/questionnaires/focus groups
• Prepare clear and concise evidence based briefings to Senior Investigating Officers in response to allocated investigation actions and research tasks
• Draft and issue complex public reports in accordance with the Ombudsman's operational procedures and quality standards
• Proactively respond to issues and or challenges that arise from decisions reached
• Ensure, as appropriate, that compliance with recommendations made to listed authorities is monitored and evaluated particularly in relation to its implementation
• Develop and maintain accurate and contemporaneous records on the case management system and paper files in accordance with office policy
• Maintain effective relationships with colleagues and those working in other public bodies
• Respond to queries from those who contact the office in accordance with the office procedures and standards
• Act as a mentor in providing first line work related advice, support and guidance to other Investigating Officers in the team
• Where requested promote the role of the Ombudsman's office at external events
• To undertake other such relevant duties as may be required from time to time

For further information on this vacancy, or any other roles in Belfast or wider Northern Ireland, please apply via the link below or contact Emma Hall in the strictest confidence.