Agri-Food Regulator - Compliance Inspector (HEO)

at  RSM Ireland

OVERVIEW OF THE AGRI-FOOD REGULATOR

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) (Regulator) is a new independent statutory Office established in December 2023 under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 (2023 Act) The Regulator is responsible for promoting fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain and will do this –

• by carrying out analysis and regularly publishing reports on price and market data.
• by enhancing understanding and enforcement of agri-food unfair trading law, including being
• designated as the national Enforcement Authority for the EU Unfair Trading Practices in Businessto-Business Relationships in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Directive 2019/633 (the ‘UTP Directive’).
• by promoting general public awareness about agri-food unfair trading law and related matters,
• including through public information campaigns.

The Regulator has three distinct areas of work

• Price & Market Data Analysis Unit
• Unfair Trading Practices Compliance & Enforcement Unit
• Corporate Services Unit

BACKGROUND TO THE ROLE

The Agri-Food Regulator has been designated as the Enforcement Authority under the Unfair Trading Regulations. These Regulations transpose the UTP Directive into Irish law.

The 2023 Act provides wide ranging powers to the Regulator for the purpose of enforcing the Unfair Trading Regulations. The Regulator -

• may at any reasonable time carry out inspections of buyers, including unannounced inspections.
• may enter premises where the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that there are records or anything used in connection with agri-food products.
• can examine records and inspect and take copies of anything used in connection with an agri-food product. This does not need to be on the basis of a complaint or suspicion of an alleged infringement.

The Regulator may also conduct investigations of an alleged or suspected unfair trading practice where the Regulator has reasonable grounds for believing that -
(a) an offence, is being, or is about to be committed on the premises, or
(b) evidence of an offence is likely to be found on the premises.
The Agri-Food Regulator is looking to recruit a Compliance Inspector at Higher Executive Officer level to
join the organisation for an exciting opportunity to work as part of the Unfair Trading Practices Compliance
& Enforcement Unit.
The successful candidate will report to the Head of the Unit and will have at least one staff member
reporting to them.
The role is located at the Government Campus, Backweston, Celbridge, Co. Kildare.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities of the Compliance Inspector role include but are not limited to the following:

• Lead on and manage the compliance monitoring activities of the Regulator, including regulatory
• visits nationwide.
• Manage a team in fulfilment of the compliance and enforcement function.
• Manage complaints received in relation to alleged breaches of Unfair Trading legislation, including investigation and potential prosecution.
• Contribute to the Unfair Trading Practices Compliance & Enforcement Unit through effective and efficient operational management of the function within the organisation.
• Contribute to the communication efforts of the Unit with a broad range of stakeholders, particularly with respect to the regulatory framework and general approach to monitoring compliance and enforcement.
• Contribute to the building of a culture of continuous learning and innovation across the
• organisation.
• Actively participate in the European Unfair Trading Practice Enforcement Network including the possibility of international travel.

Note: The functions and responsibilities initially assigned to the role is based on the current organisational requirements and may be changed from time to time

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) (Regulator) is a new independent statutory Office established in December 2023 under the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 (2023 Act) The Regulator is responsible for promoting fairness and transparency in the agricultural and food supply chain and will do this –

• by carrying out analysis and regularly publishing reports on price and market data.
• by enhancing understanding and enforcement of agri-food unfair trading law, including being
• designated as the national Enforcement Authority for the EU Unfair Trading Practices in Businessto-Business Relationships in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Directive 2019/633 (the ‘UTP Directive’).
• by promoting general public awareness about agri-food unfair trading law and related matters,
• including through public information campaigns

Please do not click ‘Apply Now’. Instead Please submit your application in one single word document or PDF referencing the title of the role you are applying for in the subject of the email to Abigail.gannon@rsmireland.ie with the following:

• A cover letter outlining why you wish to be considered for the role and where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements for the role (not to exceed 2 pages); and
• A comprehensive CV (not to exceed 3 pages)