Analyst (EO)

The CCPC is seeking to recruit an Analyst (EO) for their Competition Enforcement & Mergers Division.

The Role:

The Analyst role in CEM is a fantastic opportunity for a recent or upcoming graduate to begin their career as a competition official. You will make a strong contribution to the success of civil competition enforcement and merger review by the CCPC, playing a key role in ensuring that markets work well for consumers.

As an Analyst, you will work on cases alongside senior colleagues and will assist in handling cases, gathering, and assessing evidence, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations. This is an ideal role for somebody who is curious and inquisitive. The diverse subject matter under investigation or subject to merger review will mean

you will become familiar with many sectors of the economy during the course of your work.You will develop and use research and investigative skills to investigate cases through desk research and market enquires, and by exercising the CCPC's statutory investigative powers to conduct searches or inspections, interview witnesses and suspects, and compel the production of information. You will assist in recommending next steps and assess and discuss issues in written reports and memos.

You will also be required to accurately maintain case files and notes to ensure that cases adhere to the CCPC's procedures and investigative best practice.

You will be primarily placed in one of the two Sections in CEM but will gain experience working across all CEM's functions as well as having the opportunity to work with other CCPC divisions on cross-divisional teams. You will have the opportunity to continuously grow and develop with support from the CCPC's Learning and Development team, utilising both internal and external training. The CCPC encourage the development of its staff and provides regular opportunities for career progression within the organisation.

The Successful Candidate:

Analysts are key members of CEM case teams. Your work will be meaningful and impactful. Your work will be foundational in ensuring that mergers that would harm competition are remedied or blocked; and that anticompetitive conduct is investigated, terminated, and sanctioned. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to identify and critically assess issues, using research and investigative skills to progress a case or project. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, ambitious, and proactive – driven to deliver for the CCPC and consumers.

Previous experience or knowledge of competition law or policy is not an essential criterion; however, the successful candidate will have demonstrable ability to research and draw conclusions from available evidence, make recommendations, and communicate their views clearly and convincingly both orally and in writing.

To ensure that correct procedures and investigative best practice are followed, the ideal candidate will have to be flexible and highly organised – ensuring that records are maintained to the highest standards and that reporting on ongoing work is available at any point in time.

In addition to the immediate appointment from this campaign, an order of merit may be established. This may be used to fill any future vacancies at the same level within this or other Divisions of the CCPC where roles have similar responsibilities and/or similar skills are required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct assessment of competition complaints and notified mergers using agreed criteria.

• Identify and communicate issues arising out of your work and seek guidance as required.

• Draft Case Memos/Merger Determinations for review by Senior Analyst/Investigator, making recommendations for further action.

• Respond in a timely manner to correspondence in relation to competition and merger queries from businesses and members of the public.

• Participate as assigned in Divisional or Cross-Divisional teams conducting large-scale investigations or projects.

• Conduct open-sourced and desk-based research into particular competition issues/industries.

• The preparation of a wide range of documents relating to investigations and mergers, including information requests, third party questionnaires, meeting minutes and agendas.

• Travel nationally to conduct site visits and/or dawn raids as required in investigations and mergers.

• Represent the CCPC at international events and conferences. This may include, for example, European Commission Advisory Committee meetings, OECD conferences, European and International Competition Network Seminars.

• Publication and updating of the CCPC merger web page.

• Deliver other workstreams as may be required by the Director.

Essential:

• A graduate or postgraduate with a qualification in a relevant discipline such as business, economics or law or a professional qualification in law.

• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to work on one's own initiative.

• Good interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Intermediate PC skills with particular aptitude in using Microsoft Word and Excel.

Desirable:

• Experience in competition and/or regulatory matters.

• Knowledge of Irish and/or European competition policy and related legislative environment, issues challenges and development.

• Project management or case management experience.

• Experience of assisting /conducting investigations (or inspections) into breaches of statutory or regulatory provisions.

• Established knowledge of competition, consumer protection and/or criminal law OR a demonstrated interest in this area.

Application Process:

In order to apply for this opportunity, candidates must submit the application form for this opportunity before the closing date for applications.

The application from can be found here:

To apply for this role please submit an up-to-date CV and a one-page cover letter outlining why you wish to be considered for the role and why you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role

The deadline for applications is 12 noon, Tuesday, 21 May 2024

Applicants should note that canvassing will result in your exclusion from the process.

Should you have any queries, please contact -