Vacancy: Senior Research Analyst, Research, Advocacy & International Division

Job Title: Senior Research Economist (Research, Advocacy & International Division)

Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

General information

Starting Salary: * €60,029

*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 at least 40% of your time and can avail of remote working up to 60% of your time, which is subject to business requirements.

The CCPC generally allows greater remote working during the month of August and over the Festive period in December, but this arrangement is totally subject to business requirements.

Closing date: 3 pm, 31 August 2026

Annual Leave: 29 days

Tenure: Wholetime, Permanent

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

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC):

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (the “CCPC”) is the statutory body responsible for enforcing competition and consumer protection law in Ireland. The CCPC plays a vital role in ensuring that markets work better for Irish consumers and businesses.

We are governed by a collegial body consisting of a Chairperson and three Commission Members (“the Commission”). The Commission is responsible for the strategic and operational management of the organisation to deliver on our mission and meet our regulatory objectives.

Each Division of the CCPC is overseen by a Member of the Commission, led by a Divisional Director and managed by a senior management team from within the Division. We are staffed with people from a wide range of technical backgrounds, including economists, lawyers, digital forensic specialists, investigators, communications professionals and more.

You can read the strategy statement which outlines the vision, mission, values and goals of the CCPC. You can find further information about the CCPC on our website: ccpc.ie.

Apply here

Equal Opportunities

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

Division overview

Evidence-based competition and consumer protection advocacy can support competitiveness, economic growth and better outcomes for consumers. It requires a passion to improve how markets work – which it achieves through rigorous analysis and effective engagement with key stakeholders, including government departments and other regulators.

The Research, Advocacy and International (RAI) Division supports the CCPC’s strategic aim to be Ireland’s leading voice on competitive markets and consumer interests. This is achieved by conducting detailed analytical reviews of markets (including in-depth market studies), engaging with government departments on potential legislative reforms (including senior civil servants and politicians), publicly advocating for necessary policy or regulatory reforms in the media, and responding to consultations. The RAI Division also represents the CCPC internationally, liaising with bodies like the European Commission, OECD, and US regulators.

The RAI Division’s work has led to important reforms such as those seen in the insurance and legal sectors. It also continues to advocate for the implementation of recommendations that remain outstanding, working with relevant stakeholders to support practical reform.

RAI is comprised of four units that work collaboratively to deliver RAI’s workplan:

• Economic Research – Leads on market studies, economic research and other in-depth analytical projects
• Market Insights – Conducts primary research, market analytics and assists with research design
• Advocacy - Leads the CCPC’s engagement with policymakers and advocates for competition and consumer interests
• International - Coordinates the CCPC’s engagement with international stakeholders

This is an exciting time to join a multi-disciplinary division within the CCPC as the organisation continues to evolve and take on new responsibilities as part of our expanding remit.

The role:

The RAI Division is seeking to recruit Senior Research Economists at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) grade. The successful candidates will primarily work in the Economic Research Unit (ERU) while also contributing to the work of the wider division to deliver on the RAI Division's workplan. The ERU is responsible for delivering in-depth market studies and other economic research aimed at providing a rigorous evidence base to underpin the development of actionable recommendations aimed at making markets work better for consumers. In recent years, the research team has undertaken research across a wide range of areas including social media influencers, consumer detriment, financial education, competition in the Irish economy, the grocery sector and the retail motor fuel market. This research supports the CCPC’s policy, advocacy and regulatory work and, where appropriate, informs recommendations for legislative, policy, regulatory or market change. The unit is currently undertaking a market study into the retail pharmacy market.

You will undertake impactful work designed to support clear, practical changes in markets and better outcomes for consumers. This will involve the development of advocacy-focused research questions and research proposals, the gathering and analysis of qualitative and quantitative information from a variety of sources, engaging with stakeholders, drafting research reports and making evidence-based recommendations. You will also effectively apply project management skills to help ensure that research projects are delivered successfully and in line with the CCPC’s strategy.

In the role, you will build in-depth knowledge and experience of competition and consumer protection issues, law and policy. You may have the opportunity to represent the CCPC at national and international fora. This may include engagement through interdepartmental groups, European Commission meetings, OECD fora and European and International Competition Network seminars.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to make a direct impact on Ireland’s consumer protection and competition landscape through research that is focused on strengthening competition and consumer outcomes.

The Successful Candidate(s):

As a Senior Research Economist, you will be a key member of the ERU, managing the delivery of research projects in collaboration with the wider team alongside junior and senior colleagues in the RAI Division.

You will have a passion for how markets operate in practice and for identifying markets or features of markets that may not be working effectively for consumers or competition. You will be highly motivated to use your research, economic and analytical skills to develop a rigorous evidence base, identify practical options for change, and support recommendations that can improve market outcomes.

You will be enthusiastic, proactive, ambitious, and resilient – driven to deliver impactful research for the CCPC and consumers. You will be flexible and highly organised – taking ownership of work for which you are responsible and progressing different projects simultaneously.

In addition to the immediate appointment(s) 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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the delivery of impactful research projects, ranging from desk-based research and consumer research to market studies;
• Gather data and conduct quantitative, qualitative and, where relevant, econometric analysis to support findings and recommendations;
• Lead, design and manage research projects that deliver clear and actionable findings for policy, advocacy, enforcement and other CCPC actions;
• Research, analyse and develop evidence-based CCPC positions on competition and consumer protection issues;
• Proactively identify markets, or features of markets, where research can help diagnose competition or consumer problems and develop evidence-based recommendations to improve market outcomes;
• Engage with national and international stakeholders, including academics, policy experts, sectoral regulators, Government Departments and institutions;
• Contribute to and prepare a wide range of research-related documents including research proposals, memos, presentations, meeting minutes and other outputs;
• Use effective planning and project management tools to ensure the effective delivery of assigned projects;
• Assist with managing administrative tasks of the unit and wider division;
• Undertake any additional duties as required to support the achievement of the objectives of the division and the CCPC.

Essential Requirements:

• Passion to change how markets work for the benefit of society;
• Relevant degree or equivalent in economics, statistics or other relevant discipline;
• Minimum of 2 years directly relevant professional experience in economic, policy, market, consumer, statistical or other applied research;
• The ability to analyse evidence and communicate findings clearly in written reports, briefings, presentations or similar outputs;
• Experience using quantitative, statistical or data analysis tools or software to support research or analytical work;
• Ability to research, collate, analyse and use information from a range of sources in a clear, balanced and concise manner;
• Ability to manage multiple projects, adapting to changing circumstances and meeting fixed reporting deadlines;
• Project, case or workstream management experience;
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and on one’s own initiative.

Desirable:

• Relevant experience and/or knowledge of competition and consumer protection policy, economics and related issues;
• Experience using data visualisation tools and techniques;
• Demonstrable passion for identifying markets, or features of markets, that may not be working effectively for consumers and/or competition, and for using research, economics and evidence-based analysis to develop practical recommendations for change;
• Experience undertaking econometric analysis in a research, policy, regulatory, competition, consumer protection or market analysis context;
• Experience using artificial intelligence tools effectively and responsibly, particularly in planning, managing, conducting and quality assuring high-quality research projects, analysis and written outputs.

Application process

To apply for this role, please submit an up-to-date CV and a cover letter of no more than 500 words setting out:

• Your motivation for applying for the role; and
• A specific example demonstrating your ability to undertake high-quality research and analysis.

Shortlisting:

In order to satisfy the shortlisting panel, you must 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 two interviews for this role that are likely to take place in September. During the first-round interview, the CCPC will conduct competency-style interviews based on the Higher Executive Officer competencies below:

1. Team Leadership
2. Judgement, Analysis and Decision Making
3. Management and Delivery of Results
4. Interpersonal and Communication Skills
5. Specialist Knowledge
6. Drive and Commitment

The second-round interview will be based on a practical assessment, such as a presentation or other exercise relevant to the requirements of the role.

To find out more about what it is like to work in the CCPC and the benefits on offer, please visit our CCPC careers page. 

Apply here

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