Economist

ComReg Overview

ComReg is the statutory body responsible for regulating fixed and mobile communications, postal and premium rate services in Ireland. Our mandate is to create a competitive marketplace, to protect and inform consumers, and to encourage innovation. ComReg also manages Ireland’s radio spectrum resource on behalf of the State.

We are a professional, multi-disciplinary and diverse organisation, operating in a dynamic digital regulatory environment that is constantly evolving.

This will be an exciting time of growth for ComReg, as our mandate expands and we take on new statutory responsibilities arising from EU legislation including: the Network and Information Systems (NIS2) Directive, the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive – addressing cybersecurity and network resilience – together with the EU Data Act and the EU AI Act.

While our regulatory role is evolving, our fundamental mission remains the same. ComReg’s mission is to implement effective regulation that supports the delivery of widespread, modern, and resilient digital infrastructure, including communications networks, products, and services which, ultimately, benefit users

The Market Framework Division

Within ComReg, the Market Framework Division is responsible for a number of ComReg’s regulatory functions, including:

• The management of Ireland’s spectrum resource, which includes the assignment of radio spectrum and maintaining the integrity of Ireland’s radio spectrum by monitoring, compliance and enforcement activities.
• Management of Ireland’s National Numbering Scheme.
• Evaluating the resilience, security and integrity of electronic communications networks and including compliance activities to ensure operators of electronic communications networks.

Economics and Data Unit 

The Economics Unit is responsible for, among other things providing economic support to the regulatory activities across the Market Framework division. This includes economic assessment relating to all spectrum management, numbering, licensing, product safety, network operations and security activities. To fulfil this role, the Unit was established to provide economic support for all relevant projects and an advisory role on all economic matters within the Division. Its functions include:

• Assessing potential policy options for regulatory intervention using economic techniques and analysis.
• Drafting documentation that is rational and evidence-based with a particular emphasis on conducting Regulatory Impact Assessments to assess the likely effect of a proposed new regulation or regulatory change.
• Conducting data analysis to provide insight to divisional projects, which can include graphical, statistical and mapping analysis.
• Designing market research/surveys (both quantitative and qualitative) to support relevant consultations and/or provide key insights on the development of the market.
• Providing economic advice to the Director and other internal/external stakeholders on existing and emerging matters to support policy and compliance decisions.

Role and Responsibilities

As an Economist in the Economic and Data Unit, you will be involved in all areas of the Unit’s work, but the main areas of responsibility will be:

• Conduct economic and data analysis to assess issues and policies in communication markets.
• Draft Regulatory Impact Assessments for relevant projects to assess the likely effect of potential policy options.
• Identify and gather data and information required to inform projects and to provide insights.
• Design consumer and business surveys to support relevant consultations and/or provide key insights on the development of the market.
• Draft policy papers for public consultation as well as memos to inform senior managers/Director on policy issues.
• Assist in the delivery of projects and/or individual workstreams, as required.

Qualifications & Experience:

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• Postgraduate qualification in Economics or directly relevant qualification with components in regulatory or competition economics, industrial organisation and econometrics.
• Minimum of 2 years’ post-graduate experience in an economic and data analysis role within a regulated/regulatory environment.
• Practical experience conducting data analysis, including through the use of both Excel and R (or another statistical software package).
• Experience in the development and application of regulatory/policy interventions.
• Previous experience producing data analysis and drafting documents for publication, individually or as part of a team.
• Proven track record in supporting the delivery of projects, in an individual and team capacity.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience:

• Relevant knowledge of electronic communications or technology sectors or similar regulated industry and the national/EU legal framework under which ComReg operates, including with respect to spectrum management

Competencies

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.
• Technical Knowledge & Continuous Improvement – Possesses a command over the technical and professional skills for a particular discipline. Keeps an open mind. Demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement.
• 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.
• 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.
• Contextual Understanding – Understands the regulatory, legislative, political, industrial, economic, societal and cultural environment within which ComReg operates. Uses this understanding to interact effectively. Considers the wider impact of actions and decisions.

Our Package

We are offering an attractive package:

• Salary €64,746.40 – €89,416.79 * (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
• ComReg Wellbeing Programme
• Travel tax saver scheme, Access to Cycle to Work Scheme
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a member’s 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.)

Check out the Recruitment section of our Careers website if you have any questions or need further information about the role or the recruitment process -https://www.comreg.ie/about/careers/recruitment-faq/

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 are 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.