Universal Service Policy Analyst

ComReg Overview

We are the statutory body responsible for regulating electronic communications, postal and premium rate services in Ireland. We are a professional, multi-disciplinary organisation, operating in a dynamic telecommunications environment that is constantly evolving. Our Mission – at the heart of everything we do – is to facilitate the development of a competitive communications sector in Ireland that attracts investment, encourages innovation and empowers consumers to choose and use communications services with confidence.

Division overview 

Retail Division 

Our Retail and Consumer Services Division has a number of different teams including consumer Care, Consumer Policy, Compliance, Emergency Call answering, Premium Rate Services and Consumer Engagement.

Universal Service Team

ComReg must decide what universal service safeguards should be in place for electronic communications consumers; the job entails developing and implementing policies to ensure the availability of basic electronic communication services, at an affordable price and appropriate quality.

In doing this, we must deal with complex issues of law, economics and technology, and ensure that our decisions are taken fairly and are clearly explained.

ComReg’s annual action plan sets out the work plan for each of the ComReg Divisions, including several universal service projects.

Universal Service for Electronic Communications – Key topics

Access to basic electronic communication services

• Access at a fixed location to voice and adequate broadband internet access service (IAS)

• Availability, affordability and quality of service, of universal services

• Assessment of universal service funding applications (direct net cost, intangible benefits, unfair burden assessments)

• Establishment of a universal service sharing mechanism, as relevant

The role and responsibilities 

The successful candidate will be an excellent project manager, with superb analytical and drafting skills, who wants to be involved in all areas of Universal Service while adding value to the wider Retail Division and the ComReg team (e.g. stakeholder engagement). You will work across the following areas:

Universal Service Policy

• Consider regulatory policy issues, identifying key data/trends/developments and using this to suggest policy options and proposed measures

• Understand, analyse and critique industry data and regulatory information

• Explore possible regulatory options and their impact to address relevant regulatory policy issues

• Manage relevant data and information collection

• Stakeholder engagement – both internal and external (consumer groups, Department Communications Climate Action and Environment, ComReg’s Consumer Advisory Panel, BEREC and the European Commission)

• Communicate complex technical information clearly and concisely

• Leading and delivering projects within the USO unit or working with other teams within the Retail division

• Working with cross divisional teams as required and always sharing knowledge, expertise and learnings

• Develop excellent working relationships with relevant economic, financial and legal experts/consultants (internal/external)

• Drafting ComReg consultation and decision papers, preparing reports and making presentations on policy matters both internally and externally

• Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required from time to time to support the team

Qualifications and Experience required 

Essential 

• Third level degree, preferably in economics, policy, law, engineering, business or other closely related discipline or, demonstrate equivalent experience

• Commercial business experience (including transferrable skills from other sectors)

• Demonstrate excellent verbal, written and inter-personal communication skills as much of the work involves drafting documentation in a rational, evidence based, clear and concise manner and engagement of internal and external stakeholders

• Strong attention to detail

• Ability to work on own initiative in a multidisciplinary project team environment (alongside economists, lawyers, business analysts, engineers and accountants

• Excellent project and time management skills

• Good Numeracy skills

Desirable 

• Postgraduate qualifications preferably a Master’s degree in economics, policy, law, engineering, business or other closely related discipline or, demonstrate equivalent experience

• Experience in regulatory, competition and public policy / law would be an advantage

• Experience in a telecoms role and understanding of the environment (regulatory, legislative, political, industrial, economic, societal) within which ComReg operates

• Knowledge of Data Analytics

• Excellent IT skills with proven ability to learn new systems quickly

• Regulatory drafting experience

Core Competencies & Skills for the Role

In addition to your technical qualifications and experience, you will bring professional competencies and skills in the following core areas:

Analytical & Critical Thinking Objectively analyses and evaluates information in order to identify patterns between situations that are not obviously related. Develops and clearly articulates solutions to complex problems.

Drafting Uses a logical structure to draft documents. Communicates complex and technical information clearly and concisely. Ensures key messages are understood and have the desired impact on the target audience

Communicating & Influencing Communicates clearly, confidently and respectfully. Engages, persuades and convinces others to follow a particular course of action. Ensures all relevant parties are appropriately updated and notified.

Teamwork Promotes and enhances team performance through working collaboratively and in cooperation with others to achieve goals. Interacts in a manner that builds respect and fosters trust.

Planning and Organising Establishes and monitors priorities, systematically differentiating between urgent, important and unimportant tasks. Plans and manages activities to consistently deliver results. Meets objectives within agreed predetermined time frames and deals with urgent operational situations expeditiously.

Our Package

• Salary €61,000.01- €84,242.92* ( * (Pay increases will be awarded annually subject to satisfactory performance)

• Dublin city centre location – IFSC

• Blended working environment

• 28 days Annual Leave per year increases with service

• Fully paid Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s leave

• Income protection scheme

• Education assistance and Training Opportunities

• Professional membership fee pay

• Attractive pension scheme

• ComWell Wellbeing Programme

• Travel tax saver scheme, Access to Cycle to Work Scheme

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme

• Access to a members run sports and social club

*(entry will be at the minimum point and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.)

Interview process 

For this role there will be two rounds of interviews, which will include a written task should you be brought forward for the 2nd round.

Please Note (1)

We hope that our recruitment process supports applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We understand that having a diverse workforce contributes to making us stronger as an organisation. We are committed to positively supporting candidates with disabilities.

Please let us know if there is any reasonable accommodations we can make to enable you to take part in the process by creating the environment to give you the best opportunity to show your strengths and competencies. Rest assured that whatever information you disclose will only be used to enable us to provide the necessary support and will never have a bearing on the outcome of the process.

Please Note (2)

ComReg assesses all applicants fairly based on the requirements for the role. Due to the high volume of applications we receive for positions, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who are not shortlisted for interview. If you are short-listed for interview, and are subsequently unsuccessful, you can request verbal feedback from your recruitment contact – if you are represented by an agency.