CEO Role
with Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
Application Process and Guidance
Indicative Timeline for Competition
|
Steps |
Timeline |
|
Advertise |
9 January 2026 |
|
Closing Date |
30 January 2026 |
|
1st Stage Interview |
13 February 2026 |
|
Invitations issued for Assessment Centre (psychometric testing plus media exercise) |
20 February 2026 |
|
2nd Stage Competency- Based Interview which includes an unseen presentation |
18 March 2026 |
|
Pre Offer, Right to Work Checks and Security Clearance |
23 March 2026 |
|
Unconditional Offer |
As soon as clearance status is confirmed |
|
Approximate start date |
22 June 2026 |
Campaign Contact Details
Communication Hays will issue competition communications electronically. Please ensure you check your email account regularly, to make sure that you don’t miss any important communications. There may be a requirement to issue competition communications by post. Please update us with any changes to your email address and home address to ensure you are fully informed at all times.
Equal Opportunities
AFBI is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded the Diversity Mark Accreditation in recognition for our commitment towards Gender Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace.
All appointments will be made strictly on the basis of merit.
For information on right to work requirements, please click here.
If you have any queries with regard to this recruitment process and require any reasonable adjustments or any documentation in an alternative format, please contact Hays Executive Search via:
T: 028 9044 6911
Feedback - AFBI is committed to providing feedback upon request.
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Key Documents
2nd Stage Interview
Shortlisted applicants will be required to give a presentation to the selection panel, relevant to the Professional Knowledge and Skills dimension of the Competency Framework.
The specific topic of the presentation will be communicated to candidates in the interview invitation letter. Following the presentation, the panel may elect to ask questions on the presentation.
The presentation will be used to assess in part “Seeing the Big Picture” competence.
Seeing the big picture is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with, and supports, organisational objectives and the wider public needs. For all staff, it is about focusing your contribution on the activities which will meet Departmental and Programme for Government goals and deliver the greatest value.
At senior levels, it is about understanding the political context and taking account of wider impacts, including the broader legislative agenda, to develop long term implementation strategies that maximise opportunities to add value to the citizen, support economic, sustainable growth and help to deliver the Northern Ireland Executive’s priorities.
Following the presentation, candidates will complete a competency-based interview designed to test knowledge and experience in each of the areas specified below, according to the marking plan specified.
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Collaborating and Partnering
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leading and Communicating
