Investigator - Belfast

ICRIR; Antrim; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery is recruiting investigators to support end-to-end investigations into Troubles/Conflict-related deaths and serious harm. The role sits within the Investigations Directorate, with reporting to Senior Investigative Officers, across Belfast or London and in hybrid arrangements.

Applicants should have established investigative experience and be prepared for SC clearance.

Qualifications

• Established investigative experience through criminal justice or equivalent investigations.
• Experience with investigative techniques and methodologies to meet operational outcomes.
• Demonstrable experience in complex information gathering and problem solving.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to draft clear investigation products.

Responsibilities

• Undertake investigations into deaths and other serious harm incidents; plan and execute actions.
• Work flexibly across investigation teams and develop investigation plans and strategies.
• Ensure material from investigations complies with legislation and policy.
• Respond to safeguarding concerns and manage risk in investigations.
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure relevant intelligence is communicated to the appropriate team.
• Build and manage case files in criminal investigations as required.
• Contribute to an efficient working culture and explore new ways of working.
• Support and develop investigation staff and ensure reconciliation outcomes.

Skills

Investigative Experience

PIP2 or equivalent

Information gathering

Stakeholder relations

Clear written & verbal comms

Work under pressure

Quality assurance

IT systems

SC clearance

Nationality requirements

Job description

About The Role

As we continue to grow, we are building a talent pool of skilled Investigators for future opportunities within ICRIR. We are looking for Investigators with a range of skills, backgrounds, and experience gained through professional investigations. The end‑to‑end journey of an investigation is all about the people who will eventually benefit from information recovery. At every stage, requesting individuals or families must be able to understand what is happening and what progress is being made. A key difference to the Commission’s approach is that a request must be made before the Commission can carry out its investigations. These requests can include specific questions that the requesting individual or family wish to see addressed during the investigative work. We will seek answers to requesting individuals’ questions by examining all existing material, including that which might not have been disclosed or made public during any previous fact‑finding. The post sits within the Investigations Directorate of the Commission. Headed by the Commissioner for Investigations, Peter Sheridan, you will form part of the Directorate’s Investigations team, reporting to one of the Commission’s Team Supervisors. You will be working across multiple cases and reporting to different Senior Investigative Officers. The Directorate will be multi‑disciplinary with a mix of backgrounds and skills, and team members will be expected to work together to set a new and unique culture reflecting the Commission’s mission and values.

Key responsibilities

• Undertake investigations into deaths and other incidents of serious harm which occurred during the Troubles/Conflict, utilising a range of investigative methods to achieve the appropriate outcome. Identify and plan own investigative actions.
• Working flexibly across Investigation teams.
• Develop and implement plans and strategies to investigate serious and complex crimes.
• Ensure all material generated by an investigation is examined in accordance with any applicable legislation and policy.
• Respond to safeguarding concerns and manage risk in investigations.
• Build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure that all relevant intelligence is communicated to the appropriate team.
• Build and manage case files, including in criminal investigations where required.
• Contribute to the development of an efficient working culture across the Commission including supporting and developing investigation support officers and by identifying opportunities for and support the exploration of new ways of working and innovation.
• Recognising and finding different ways to achieve reconciliation and restorative justice.

We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate based on culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.

We are happy to discuss the role and answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact us for an informal conversation by emailing us at [e-mail].

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Established investigative experience gained through criminal justice or equivalent professional investigations, including experience and knowledge of the use of investigative techniques and methodology to meet operational outcomes.
• Hold or have previously held PIP2 or equivalent as we recognise and value diverse professional backgrounds.
• Demonstrable experience of complex information gathering and problem solving.
• Capable of building effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with an ability to draft high quality investigation products clearly and concisely, using plain language.
• Ability to work efficiently, under pressure and at pace, and prioritise competing tasks.
• Ability to manage challenge, respond to quality assurance exercises and feedback constructively.
• Strong IT skills and ability to adapt to use a range of case work management systems.
• Knowledge, or willingness to acquire knowledge, and understanding of the context in which the Commission is operating, societies in transition and the impact of trauma on families and communities.
• Experience of completing case files and liaising with prosecuting agencies or authorities as required.
• Demonstrate the values set out in the ICRIR Code of Conduct.
• Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for, and ability to obtain, SC clearance, if not already cleared.
• Applicants must meet the nationality requirements for this role. Details of the nationality requirements can be found in the Candidate Booklet. Please note that ICRIR cannot offer sponsorship to candidates requiring it for their work visa. Graduate visas are not eligible for permanent roles.

Desirable criteria

• Disclosure experience
• Knowledge of, or experience of investigations in, Northern Ireland

Terms and conditions

Band

3

Salary range

£46,000 - £58,149. Starting salary will be at the minimum of the range. The ICRIR pay policy can be found here: ICRIR Pay Policy March 2025 - Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery

Pension

ICRIR offers all employees an attractive pension package through NILGOSC. You’ll find further details at www.nilgosc.org.uk/members and in the benefits section later in this booklet.

Holidays

In addition to public and privilege holidays, currently 10 days, the annual leave allowance will be 30 days. This is pro-rated for part‑time employment. In addition, you can take paid special leave for volunteering commitments up to five days per year.

Location

The Commission operates in Belfast and London across multiple sites. Travel to all locations may be required. This role is based in Belfast or London depending on your preference. Staff are split across both the London and Belfast offices; therefore, you may be required to travel between locations as will maintain regular attendance in the office. You may also work from your home address, in line with the Commission’s approach on hybrid working and with the agreement of your line manager.

Hours of work

You will normally work a week of 37 hours excluding lunch breaks, Monday to Friday inclusive.

Contract type

This is a merit list competition and successful candidates at interview will be added to the merit list for this role in strict merit order. This is a permanent vacancy on a full time or part-time basis in line with the Flexible Working policy.

Pre-employment checks and security level

Willingness to be assessed against the requirements for, and ability to obtain, SC clearance, if not already cleared. Please find further information on NSV (National Security Vetting) at National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK Ability to pass pre-employment checks which include right to work, nationality and minimum residency requirements. Further information is in the FAQs section of this booklet.

Probation

Confirmation of appointment will be dependent upon the satisfactory completion of a probationary period of 6 months. This will be confirmed in writing provided you have shown that you can meet the requirements of the role and your attendance and conduct have been satisfactory.

Closing date

11.59pm on 1 December 2026

Interview date

Anticipated week commencing 11 January 2027

About Us

The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery is an independent organisation that has been established to recover information about Troubles/Conflict‑related deaths and serious injuries to families, victims, and survivors and to promote reconciliation.

We are building a values‑led organisation. We operate with integrity, impartiality, openness, accountability, and respect, as set out in our Code of Conduct. This is reflected in our fair and open recruitment processes. We encourage people to join us across all backgrounds, communities and faiths to help us deliver.

The Commission is based in Belfast, with further operational sites in Northern Ireland and London. Travel to all locations will be required, but hybrid working arrangements will help us support a range of flexible working patterns. This is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation with a unique and vital remit.

The Commission is formed of seven Commissioners, the Chief Commissioner, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Commissioner for Investigations as well as four Non‑Executive Commissioners to provide challenge and scrutiny to the executive team.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all communities and backgrounds, including underrepresented groups. We value diversity in our workforce as it enhances our ability to serve the communities of Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.

ICRIR’s Code of Conduct

• Integrity
• Impartiality
• Openness
• Accountability
• Respect

If you would have any queries or would like to contact us to discuss a reasonable adjustment, please email us at [e-mail] or call us on 02890 362006.