§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
How the head of the Northern Ireland Office in Washington was appointed; by whom; and using what criteria. [HL5209]
§ Baroness AmosThe Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington was appointed by open competition, by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. It was conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Code.
Candidates were required to demonstrate core competencies in the areas of communication, personal effectiveness and leadership, conceptual and strategic thinking, planning and managing relationships and partnerships. In addition a comprehensive knowledge of current key issues involving Northern Ireland and in particular its administration, and other Northern Ireland bodies, as appropriate, and how these should be represented in the United States.