Job Description

  • Background
    The CIPR is both required and empowered by its Royal Charter to exert discipline in the public interest over members’ conduct. Maintaining a visible and well-run regulatory system is also in the interest of the CIPR itself and of the profession it represents.

    The Code of Conduct requires members to act with honesty, integrity and fairness. If they do not, they take the risk that their behaviour will be investigated and that they may be admonished or penalised.

    The CIPR’s Regulatory Consultant is responsible for managing complaints to the CIPR concerning possible breaches of the code. The Consultant is also responsible for the CIPR’s ethics hotline.

    Managing complaints
    The Regulatory Consultant does not make judgements on complaints. That is the role of the Professional Standards Panel. The Consultant attends PSP hearings but is not a member of the panel and has no vote on it.

    The role of the Regulatory Consultant is:

    • Giving impartial advice on the complaints procedure to both parties (complainant and respondent) in a dispute.
    • Identifying the clause(s) in the CIPR Code of Conduct to which the complaint applies.
    • Establishing that there is prima facie evidence to support the complaint.
    • When possible, acting as a mediator to prevent the need for a formal complaint.

    Note that all parties are required to keep details of the complaint confidential, including that it exists.

    Terms and Conditions
    The Regulatory Consultant reports quarterly to the CIPR’s Professional Practices Committee. The consultant can draw on the support of both the CIPR’s solicitor, and the chair of the PSP. The post attracts a quarterly honorarium of £2,000.

    Supporting Documentation

    The Regulatory Consultant draws upon the following for guidance and support: (link)

    By-Laws of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations

    Regulations of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations

    Appendix A: Code of Conduct

    Appendix B: Regulations Governing the Complaints Procedure

     

Person Specification

Essential:

  1. Must be in full membership of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (MCIPR or FCIPR).
  2. Must be in good standing (i.e. without rulings against them under the CIPR Code of Conduct, any similar regulatory code, or relevant laws of the land).
  3. Must be able to meet the time requirements of an intermittent part-time role: periods with few cases and occasional periods of activity, alongside preparing for PSP hearings.
  4. Must not be serving the Institute in any other role.
  5. Must have excellent written and oral communications skills, together with a keen appreciation of research and analysis.
  6. Must be able to work remotely, using online meeting technology to liaise with others in the complaints process.
  7. Must be able to take on the role from 1 January 2021.

Desirable:

  1. Regulatory experience in other professional contexts.
  2. Experience relevant to the role such as serving or having served as a magistrate, a member of a disciplinary panel. on a school governing body or in a sporting context.

Application Process

  • For an informal conversation about the role and what is involved, please contact the current Regulatory Consultant, Paul Noble, on [email protected]. 
  • Expressions of interest for this role should be addressed in writing to Jon Gerlis [email protected] before Friday 30 October 2020.Please provide a full cv and a statement setting out how you believe you meet the requirements of the role.
  • Interviews will be held using online meeting technology during November.
  • The successful candidate will assume the role from 1 January 2021.