Public Appointment Vacancies - Chair and up to 18 Members to the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC)
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is seeking to appoint a new Chair and up to 18 members to the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC). The CNCC provides independent, specialist advice to the Department (DAERA) on matters affecting the countryside and nature conservation and Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) with due regard to matters affecting agriculture, forestry and inland fisheries.
*Please note the closing date for these vacancies has been extended to noon on Thursday 19 March 2026.
For more information about CNCC visit Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside
About the public appointments process
The links below provide further information on the public appointments process:
- Public Appointments Guide - TEO website
- CPANI Guidance on Conflict of Interest, Integrity/How to raise a complaint
You may also be interested in registering for a free workshop on the public appointments process being offered by CPANI.
More information about this competition and about public appointments in general is available from the NI Direct website:
Time commitment and remuneration: The total time commitment for the Chair of the CNCC is 48 days per annum and is remunerated at £11,033 per annum. The total time commitment for the member role is 18 days per annum and is not remunerated.
Period of appointment and commencement date: It is anticipated that the successful candidates will be appointed for a three-year period by 1 June 2026.
Closing Date: Completed applications must be returned to the Department by Noon on Thursday 19 March 2026.
Equality of Opportunity: DAERA is committed to the principle of public appointments based on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process. DAERA is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications regardless of gender, age, marital status, disability, religion, ethnic origin, political opinion, sexual orientation or whether or not you have dependants.
These appointments are regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI). The Commissioner’s role is to regulate, monitor, report and advise on the way in which Ministers make appointments to the Boards of many public bodies in Northern Ireland.
How to apply
A merit-based process will be applied alongside the Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants with a disability for these positions.
Applicants will be expected to complete an application form demonstrating how they meet the essential criteria for appointment.
To apply please download the documents linked below:
CNCC Chair and Members 2026 - Application Documents
An application pack and further information is available by contacting DAERA’s Public Appointments Unit, Jubilee House, 111 Ballykelly Road, Ballykelly, Limavady, BT49 9HP Tel: 028 7744 2025 or e-mail PublicAppointments@daera-ni.gov.uk
This material will also be made available, on request, in other formats such as Braille, large print, audio, etc. All reasonable adjustments will be made to accommodate the needs of applicants/candidates with a disability.