Competition launched for Probation Board for Northern Ireland Chair and Board Members

Date published: 28 November 2024

The Department of Justice is seeking to appoint a Chair and 12 Board Members to the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI).

Justice Minister Naomi Long, said: “PBNI is a central part of the criminal justice system, it works to address the causes of offending to help prevent people coming back into the system again and protects the public from harm caused by re-offending.

“My department is looking to appoint a Chair and Board which can provide a range of experience and skills to support PBNI in taking forward its vital work in the justice system.”

Established under the Probation Board (Northern Ireland) Order 1982, PBNI is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Department of Justice.

PBNI is primarily responsible for the management of people on probation (those serving a community sentence or who have been released from prison subject to licence) and for preparing pre-sentence reports for judges and magistrates in the courts to enable them to choose the most appropriate community sentence.

The Chair of the Board will be expected to provide strategic leadership and direction and will work closely with the Chief Executive. Board Members will support the Chair and their responsibilities will also include ensuring that PBNI complies with all statutory requirements for the use of public resources.

We encourage people from all sections of the community to apply and would particularly welcome applicants from an ethnic minority background, those who have a disability and women, as they are currently underrepresented on the Board.

Remuneration for the Board Chair is £33,010 per annum and a minimum of two days per week. Remuneration for a Board Member is £5,050 per annum and a minimum of 25 days per annum.

Applications close at noon on Monday 16 December 2024. The Chair and Board members are expected to be appointed on 1 March 2025 for a term of three years.

Notes to editors: 

  1. The statutory role of the Probation Board is set out at the Probation Board (Northern Ireland) Order 1982.
     
  2.  A candidate information pack and application form are available at: Recruitment Probation Board Northern Ireland | Department of Justice
     
  3.  Copies are also available as follows:

By emailing pbni.appointments@justice-ni.gov.uk or

By telephoning 02890 526496 or 02890 523782.
 

  1. Further details on these roles are contained in the Candidate Information Pack, which should be read in conjunction with the press advertisement. The Candidate Information Pack and Application Form can be provided in alternative formats and applicants requiring assistance will be facilitated on request.
     
  2. The Department of Justice is committed to the principles of public appointments based on merit, with openness and transparency of process. The Department is committed to providing equality of opportunity for all applicants. Applications are welcomed regardless of age, gender, disability, marital status, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have dependents. In keeping with the NICS Policy on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, we would also welcome applications from those not currently serving on public bodies.
  3. This is a CPANI regulated appointment and it will run in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments CPANI, Code of Practice.
  4. Media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via email at: press.office@justice.ni.gov.uk
     
  5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours’ service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110.

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