Division Overview
The Mergers Division delivers the CCPC’s merger review function. This involves examining mergers notified to the CCPC to determine if they would result in a substantial lessening of competition in any market for goods or services in the State. As a result of new powers introduced by the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022, the CCPC can initiate merger reviews by calling-in mergers that have not been notified but may have effects on competition in the State. The Mergers Division ensures that mergers which threaten to result in a substantial lessening of competition only proceed where measures are put in place that address the CCPC’s competition concerns. Where that does not happen, the CCPC can prohibit the merger. In any given year, the Mergers Division can consider transactions with a cumulative value of several billion euro.
The Mergers Division represents the CCPC at European Commission Advisory Committee meetings and participates in the European Competition Network (ECN) Merger Working Group. The Mergers Division also leads on engagement with the European Commission on matters relating to the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2022/2560).
The Role:
As a Senior Analyst, you will work on merger reviews alongside senior and junior colleagues in the Division. You will be responsible for reviewing notified mergers, gathering, and assessing information, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations.
You will be responsible for the management of certain merger reviews as well as making a strong contribution to the delivery of more complex reviews. This will involve carrying out assessments of issues and the articulation of that analysis in written reports and memos. You will be required to identify evidential gaps, use research and investigative skills to address these gaps and recommend next steps. You will gather evidence from a wide variety of sources to progress the review through desk research and market enquires, and through exercising the CCPC’s statutory investigative powers. You will also apply project management skills to help ensure that cases are delivered robustly, successfully and in line with statutory deadlines.
The Successful Candidate:
The successful candidate will be able to identify and critically assess issues, using research and investigative skills to progress a case or project. The successful candidate will be enthusiastic, proactive, ambitious, and resilient –driven to deliver for the CCPC and consumers.
To ensure that correct procedures and investigative best practice are followed, the successful candidate(s) will have to be flexible and highly organised – taking ownership of work for which they are responsible, ensuring that records are maintained to the highest standards and that reporting on ongoing work is available at any point in time. They will be able to build and manage relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including complainants, witnesses, legal advisors, colleagues and senior management.
In addition to the immediate appointment 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:
• Review and assess notified mergers and assess competition issues, as a member of a case team.
• Effectively and efficiently identify potential competition issues arising from notified mergers and make plans and recommendations for next steps and progression.
• Use investigative tools as appropriate, including open-source, desk research, written requests/requirements for information, interviews, and search operations/inspections, and other fieldwork to gather information and evidence.
• Analyse information and evidence gathered during merger reviews and contribute towards overall CCPC assessment/decision-making.
• Contribute to or prepare a wide range of documents relating to merger reviews, including information requests/requirements, third party questionnaires, meeting minutes and agendas, case memos, and decisions for review by senior colleagues.
• Use investigation planning and project management tools to ensure effective delivery of assigned cases.
• Overseeing the casework of Analysts, including people management and development of their skills where applicable.
• Other ad hoc duties as may be reasonably requested based on organisational need.
Essential Requirements:
• Relevant (minimum) Level 8 Degree or equivalent (such as economics, law, business, regulation, auditing, or forensic accounting or similar) and a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in at least one of: (a) the conduct of regulatory, compliance, criminal / civil or administrative investigations; (b) forensic work; (c) related enforcement actions; (d) economic or market studies; (e) economic / legal evaluations of policy issues; or, (f) other equivalent relevant experience.
• Knowledge of at least one of: (a) Irish/European competition law and policy; (b) competition economics / industrial organisation; (c) economic regulation/enforcement; or (d) other relevant regulatory / supervisory / enforcement frameworks.
• Ability to draw conclusions from gathered evidence / information and make recommendations for next steps.
• Project / case management experience.
• Demonstrable written and verbal communication skills
• People management
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and on one’s own initiative.
Desirable:
• Professional experience working on Irish / EU competition law or relevant regulatory matters (either in an enforcement or advisory context).
Application Process:
To apply for this role using the link on the CCPC careers page, please submit an up-to-date CV and a cover letter (no more than 400 words) detailing your suitability for the position. Applicants should note that canvassing will result in your exclusion from the process.
This role will be closing on Monday 30th March at 3pm.