Vacancy: Product Safety Officer

Job Title: Product Safety Officer

General information

Starting Salary: *€38,803

*Point of entry on this salary scale may differ from the minimum point of the scale if the successful candidate is a current public or civil servant.

Employing Authority: Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)

Office Location: Bloom House, Railway Street, Dublin 1, D01 C576

Working Hours: 35 hours per week

Hybrid / Agile / Remote Working: You will be required to attend the office for at least 40% of your time and can avail of remote working up to 60% of your time. This is subject to business requirements. The CCPC generally operates on a fully remote basis during the month of August and over the Christmas period. This arrangement is subject to business requirements.

Annual Leave: 23 days per annum

Tenure: Wholetime, Permanent

Job description: Please see detailed job description for this role below

Required competencies: The required competencies for this role can be found here.

Terms and conditions: Please see terms and conditions linked to the recruitment process here.

Closing date: 3pm, Monday 17 August 2026

Apply here

About the role

The CCPC is seeking to recruit a Product Safety Officer at Executive Officer (EO) grade to join the Market Surveillance Division, with assignment to the Customs Unit. The successful candidate will report to the Product Safety Manager, at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) grade.

The role involves working in collaboration with customs authorities to identify, assess, and manage potential risks associated with non-compliant or unsafe products entering the Irish market. Within the Customs Unit, they will work closely with external stakeholders, including customs authorities, to ensure effective controls at the point of entry, and to support compliance and promote awareness of product safety obligations. Due to the nature of the activities conducted by the Customs Unit, international and domestic travel may be required.

The Product Safety Officer will be required to manage competing priorities, meet statutory deadlines, and contribute to the overall objectives of MSD. They will also contribute to inspections, risk assessments, and enforcement actions, ensuring that relevant legislative requirements are applied consistently and effectively.

Division overview

The Market Surveillance Division (MSD) delivers the CCPC’s product safety and accessibility functions, playing a critical role in protecting consumers and ensuring compliance across a wide range of sectors.

The CCPC is the designated Market Surveillance Authority and Competent Authority in Ireland, responsible for the safety and enforcement of non-food consumer products. These include toys, low voltage electrical products, domestic gas appliances, personal protective equipment in consumer contexts, and products covered by the EU General Product Safety Regulation. In addition, the CCPC is the Market Surveillance Authority for all products under the European Accessibility Act (EAA), and the Compliance Authority for certain services, including e-commerce and e-books and their associated software.

MSD currently comprises 26 staff, led by a Director and supported by two Deputy Directors. The Division is organised into five Units: Customs, Recalls, two Market Surveillance Units, and a newly established Accessibility Unit.

Key responsibilities

• Support risk-based controls on products at the point of entry, working in collaboration with Customs. Travel may be required internationally and nationally at points of entry including ports, airports and storage facilities.
• Assess the compliance and safety of products, including reviewing documentation and conducting inspections where required.
• Apply relevant product safety legislation and regulatory requirements in a consistent and practical manner.
• Liaise effectively with a range of external stakeholders, including customs authorities, importers and other agencies, to support compliance and enforcement activities.
• Maintain accurate records, case files and reports to support enforcement decisions and organisational reporting.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of product safety legislation, emerging risks, and market trends.
• Prioritise and manage workload effectively to meet statutory deadlines and operational targets in a fast-paced environment.
• Contribute to team objectives and cross-divisional initiatives as required.

The successful candidate

The successful candidate will be a proactive and analytical professional with strong communication and interpersonal skills. They will demonstrate sound judgement, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced regulatory environment.

They will be capable of quickly understanding and applying relevant legislation, assessing product compliance, and making clear, evidence-based recommendations. Strong organisational skills are essential, including the ability to manage competing priorities and meet statutory deadlines. The successful candidate will be collaborative, adaptable, and committed to protecting consumers.

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.

Essential

• A Level 7 or higher qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g. science, engineering, law, business, regulation, compliance) or comparable professional experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess information and make evidence-based decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply legislation, policy, or regulatory frameworks in a practical context (or the aptitude to develop this quickly).
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly to a range of stakeholders. Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• Experience of working both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, organise workload effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Good IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Desirable

• A driving licence and access to a vehicle, as travel nationally may be required.
• Experience in one or more of the following in either the public or private sector: Applying risk management principles and tools. Interpreting legal and/or policy frameworks. Experience reviewing technical documentation or assessing product compliance.
• Experience reviewing technical documentation or assessing product compliance.
• Case management or investigative experience, including maintaining accurate records and supporting enforcement decisions.
• Strong research skills.

Application process

Please submit an up-to-date CV and a cover letter (maximum one page), demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria for the role. Applicants should note that canvassing will result in your exclusion from the process.

Apply here

Shortlisting

Shortlisting of candidates will be based on the information provided in their application. In order to satisfy the shortlisting panel, you need to clearly highlight within your application how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria. If this is not clearly displayed, it may prevent your application progressing to the shortlisting stage.

Interview process

There will be one interview for this role. Interviews are likely to take place in early September. During the interview, the CCPC will conduct a competency style interview based on the Executive Officer competencies below:

1. Teamwork
2. Analysis and Decision Making
3. Delivery of Results
4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
5. Drive and Commitment
6. Specialist knowledge, Expertise and Self-Development

Full details of these competencies can be found here.

Equal opportunities

The CCPC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to championing an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects modern Ireland and the people we serve. We strive to create a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunity and feels comfortable and confident to be themselves at work. Reasonable Accommodations will be provided, if required, during this process. To discuss and request reasonable accommodations in confidence please contact ccpccareers@cpl.ie.

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