Search begins for new board members for the Labour Relations Agency

The Department for the Economy (DfE) has launched a public appointment competition to recruit four new board members to the board of the Labour Relations Agency (LRA).

The LRA is a non-departmental public body with responsibility for promoting the improvement of employment relations in Northern Ireland. The LRA contributes to organisational effectiveness by providing impartial and independent services for promoting good employment practices and preventing and resolving disputes.

The Department wishes to appeal to people of all ages from a wide range of backgrounds and experience across the community, voluntary, business or public sector, who can bring a wide range of skills and experience to the role. DfE would particularly welcome applications from females, people with a disability, those from minority ethnic communities and young people, as they are currently under-represented on the board. The Department is operating a Guaranteed Interview Scheme in this competition for applicants with a disability.

This competition will be of particular interest to people who wish to develop their skills as part of a board and are willing to learn. Previous experience of serving on a board is not necessary as new appointees will undergo an induction programme, as well as being offered peer support.

The rate of remuneration for the LRA board members is £5,643 per annum, for which they will be required to attend the monthly board meeting and undertake other occasional duties on behalf of the LRA. The board members can claim reasonable travel and subsistence costs while undertaking board duties.

Further information and an application pack is available on the Department's website.

This is an open competition which involves a simple application form and interview. The closing date for receipt of applications is 12 noon (GMT) on 24 November 2022

Notes to editors: 

1. This competition is being run in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Northern Ireland (CPANI) Code of Practice.

2. Former Economy Minister Gordon Lyons signed off on this public appointment competition before the end of the 24 week period following the May 2022 election.  

2. The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) is a public body, sponsored by the Department for the Economy, offering impartial advice to both employees and employers.

3. The board members to be recruited are one with an employee representative background, two from an employer background and one from an independent background.  No specific academic qualifications are required for the posts. Appointments will be made on merit. Applicants are asked to demonstrate in writing four criteria specific to the board members posts. The process will recognise less traditional career patterns and experiences found within the employment field.  Candidates may use examples from their working or personal life, e.g. part-time activities or leisure activities, including any voluntary or community work they have been involved in.

4. The Board of LRA consists of a Chairperson and nine members. Further information regarding the LRA is available on the LRA website.

5. To keep up to date with news from the Department you can follow us on the following social media channels:

• Twitter – @Economy_NI
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6. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk

7. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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