Findings Officer

Findings Officer

• Band 4 - starting at £59,000
• Full Time, part time and flexible working. The role may include occasional out-of-core-hours working.
• Permanent
• Security checks required
• See website for location options

About Role

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) is an organization dedicated to addressing the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Its mission is to recover and provide information to victims, survivors, and families affected by Troubles-related deaths and serious injuries, while promoting reconciliation. Operating independently, the ICRIR conducts investigations, produces reports, and ensures compliance with human rights standards, fostering healing through a trauma-informed approach.

The Findings Officer role is central to the ICRIR's mission, involving the preparation of high-quality reports that summarize investigation findings. Working collaboratively with investigative teams and other Commission departments, the Findings Officer evaluates evidence, engages with families, and ensures reports meet statutory and organizational standards. This challenging but rewarding role requires objectivity, attention to detail, and a commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes for individuals and communities impacted by the Troubles.

Key responsibilities

• Meet with the requesting individual and families, alongside the Case Support officer, to provide expert and understandable updates about progress of work and ensure proper involvement in the progress of the case in line with the Commission’s policies.
• Prepare credible, high-quality first draft reports which record findings in individual cases and agree these with senior officers and the Chief Commissioner. Reports should be prepared to the house style and communicate findings with clarity and conviction. In larger and/or more complex cases, you will assist a Senior Findings Officer in drafting of specific reports.
• Make independent, robust determinations and findings which decide between different accounts or theories of events through challenging, considering and weighing the evidence on its merits.
• Use sound judgment and objective reasoning when considering evidence and materials identified throughout the course of investigations to recommend to seniors when further investigations should be carried out and /or where further input from subject matter experts should be sought.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant policy, procedures, and guidance. Key policies include managing the disclosure of sensitive information; compliance with report-writing guidance; seeking representations in relation to draft reports; safeguarding; and the approach to publication.
• Build and maintain a close and strong relationships with senior members of the Findings Team and, through them, the Chief Commissioner. Ensure the Chief Commissioner’s approach and preferences are reflected throughout your work.
• Establish and maintain constructive, professional relationships with other key teams across the Commission, including the Case Support Team, Investigations Team, General Counsel, and the Outreach Team.
• Set an example across the Commission to help create an inclusive environment which values diversity, encourages continuous learning and development, and welcomes feedback

Essential criteria

• Excellent ability to confidently analyse, challenge, consider and weigh up multiple sources of evidence to reach balanced assessments of findings and produce high quality written reports
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience of report writing
• Proven ability to understand and draw out key points from a variety of sources and to set these out in a clear, accessible and accurate written narrative
• Good organisational skills with the ability to follow complex processes while delivering competing priorities and projects
• Flexible and adaptable, willing and able to adjust approach according to context
• Model the values set out in the ICRIR Code of Conduct
• Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for SC (and potentially DV) clearance, if not already cleared

Desirable criteria

• Experience of report-writing in highly sensitive contexts
• Legal background / experience
• A good understanding of investigations methodology and police processes
• Experience of family engagement / transitional justice
• Experience of working with the bereaved / victims / survivors

To access the job pack and apply for this role, please click the given link.

Please read page 11 of the job pack on the ICRIR recruitment process and how to apply.