Terms and Conditions
Hours of Work
The normal hours of work are 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday), excluding meal breaks. Most offices work flexi-time.
A variety of working patterns are available. You should indicate on the form if you wish to be considered for posts with a Standard Working Pattern, Alternative Working Pattern or both.
Standard Working Pattern
Most offices work flexi-time between the hours of 8am and 6pm.
Alternative Working Pattern
Some posts require successful candidates to work a range of specific working patterns between the hours of 8am and 8pm on any day between Monday and Friday and in some business areas 9am to 5pm on one Saturday in four. Once appointed, should this working pattern need to change you will be given 13 weeks’ notice.
DAERA Portal Operations Working Pattern
The normal conditioned hours of work are full-time: (37 hours net) to be worked as part of a shift arrangement which will include regular night duty and will include weekends and public/privilege holidays. It is expected that the four-week shift pattern will provide coverage for 3 shifts every 24 hours i.e. early, late and overnight shift with rest days. Time spent travelling to and from your post is not included as part of your shift.
DAERA Ports are in the following locations: Larne & Belfast.
Candidates will only be offered a post here if they select the appropriate location (and working pattern).
If successful, you will only be considered for a post within one of your selected working patterns, subject to availability. If appointed, your name will then be removed from the list of successful applicants for your other selected working patterns. This pattern will be stated in your letter of offer.
Five GCSEs (Grades A–C), including English Language and Maths (or equivalent qualification).
NI Courts and Tribunals Service
Some AO posts will be based within the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS). The NICTS is an Agency of the Department of Justice of Northern Ireland and plays a vital role in actively contributing to the departments mission to create a fair, just and safe community where we respect the law and each other by working in partnership with other criminal justice partners to deliver efficient and effective court services and support an independent judiciary.
The majority of the NICTS posts operate a flexi-time scheme, usually between the hours of 8am and 6pm. This allows you to have an element of flexibility over your working hours. It involves flexible start and finish times around ‘core working hours’ (when attendance is required) and within the limitations of the ‘bandwidth’ (the earliest and latest times between which hours can be worked) and allows you more choice over your working hours, subject to the operational requirements.
Many Northern Ireland Civil Service posts are suitable for hybrid working, although some business areas may require daily office attendance. These may include roles that are court based, public facing, or based within secure establishments. Requirements will vary depending on the operational needs of the business area.
NI Prison Service
Some AO posts will be based within the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS). The NIPS is an agency within the Department of Justice. It is responsible for the operation and delivery of services within the Northern Ireland prison system.
There may be posts within NIPS that are not suitable for hybrid working. You should indicate on the application form if you wish to be considered for posts within NICTS and/or NIPS.
Candidates who apply for posts within NICTS and NIPS will be required to obtain a higher level of security vetting – see page 7 of the Candidate Information Booklet in relation to Security Vetting.
Five GCSEs (Grades A–C), including English Language and Maths (or equivalent qualification).
Your Next Step
Join a workforce that’s shaping a stronger, fairer Northern Ireland.
Apply now and start your journey with the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
