Head of Licensing (Assistant Principal)
The Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) is a new independent body responsible for the sustainable management of Ireland’s diverse and unique maritime area, brought about by the enactment of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 (MAP Act). Established in July 2023, as part of the biggest reform of marine governance in Ireland in almost a century, MARA will be key to the transformation of our maritime governance regime.
The system and structures set out in the MAP Act are key legal enablers of development and the protection of the environment and cultural heritage in the maritime area for the future generations, including the envisaged expansion of the offshore renewable energy sector required to meet Ireland’s 2030 climate goals in an integrated and sustainable manner.
The Role:
This person will be a key member of MARA’s Maritime Usage Licensing and Planning Advisory Directorate. The successful candidate will lead and oversee MARA’s current Maritime Usage Licensing (MUL) unit, ensuring all applications are processed in a timely manner in accordance with the existing statutory requirements of the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021 as amended (“The MAPA”), and any future primary and secondary legislative changes. The role will establish and maintain processes, manage stakeholder engagement/relationships, drive continuous improvement, and provide strategic insight on MUL applications and determinations.
The administration of Maritime Usage Licences forms a key part of Ireland’s national system for the administration of the maritime area. Maritime Usage Licences are required for a range of activities as set out at Schedule 7 of the MAPA, and consequently the holder of this role will be the primary interface to a range of maritime industries and sectors. An understanding of the issues and terminologies connected to licencing, environmental law, and the maritime environment, or an ability to quickly acquire this knowledge, will be required to successfully operate in this role.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Leadership/Management
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Contribute to the leadership team in MARA, with responsibility for the implementation of the MARA’s business objectives by contributing to the overall planning, direction and high-level management of the organisation.
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Manage the administrative team assigned within the MUL unit ensuring that all goals are met, leave is managed, and training opportunities are identified to support a high performing team.
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Work closely with relevant Senior Marine Advisors, ensuring all licence applications are correctly allocated to the relevant scientific and technical team members for assessment and processing without delay through effective work planning to ensure optimum staff utilisation and work-load balancing.
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As necessary, devise and maintain licence prioritisation and work schedule strategies and systems to ensure that work is carried out effectively and efficiently.
Provide mentoring and professional development opportunities for staff.
Promote and drive effective and timely team, divisional and organisational communications.
Manage the budget allocated to the unit in accordance with good financial practice.
Manage subcontractors and ensure timely procurement of external resources.
Create and maintain a good work environment in the Directorate and across the organisation, in keeping with the Values of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority.
Be conscious of health and safety matters in the workplace and in particular to comply with employees’ obligations as set out in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, having regard to the maritime and coastal nature of MARA’s remit, and to ensure that the procedure as set out the Safety Statement are implemented at all times.
Where required, support the Planning Advisory team and other directorates in MARA.
Assist with such other duties and responsibilities as are assigned from time-to-time by the Director of Maritime Usage Licensing and Planning Advisory and others.
Process Development and Improvement:
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Lead the development of internal processes in respect of new Licencing functions and contributing to the implementation of relevant policy and the necessary secondary legislation.
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Lead a process of identifying and establishing appropriate categories of MUL applications. This will include a mechanism of application triage and queue management.
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Review all existing licensing related processes and guidance collaborating with Senior Marine Advisors to secure streamlining of documentation produced in the licence assessment process.
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Lead on the automation of the licensing process as part of an organisation wide digitisation project focusing on online application and case management processes.
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Devise a tailored MUL form that will transition to system based which will in turn increase efficiency.
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Devise and roll out simplified template forms for the MUL process.
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Update and maintain all process and procedural documents
Reporting
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Devise strong reporting metrics for all MULs.
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Coordinate and compile data for internal and external audits, ensuring accuracy, consistency and compliance with audit requirements.
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Contribute to MARA’s corporate reporting programme including delivery of a suite of corporate publications – programme of work, annual reports, quarterly reports, CEO reports, monthly governance reports and other reports as required.
Stakeholder Engagement
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Act as a primary contact for colleagues in MARA’s Licensing and Planning Advisory Division with respect to MUL functions.
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Be an advocate for MULs with stakeholder engagement in the maritime sector.
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Engage with cross-agency teams, interest groups, applicants and other stakeholders, senior public sector officials and political representatives – locally, nationally and internationally.
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Identify legislative gaps and opportunities for improvement and contribute to the development of relevant policy and necessary primary or secondary legislation. Co-ordinate all MUL related liaison activity between MARA as a State Agency and its parent Department, building and maintaining strong working relationships with Department representatives to support a positive working relationship.
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Ensure the timely management and processing of Departmental queries from public representatives, the Oireachtas and MARA’s parent Department, ensuring quality control and recording of official responses.
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Communicate effectively in respect to the licensing process, both in writing and verbally to MARA’s Board, senior management and colleagues.
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Work closely with MARA’s other functions including Maritime Area Consenting, data, research, monitoring, compliance and enforcement functions.
Application and further information
For further information and to apply for this role visit https://osborne.ie/public-sector/mara-employment-opportunities/ or see attachments below:
Applications should be submitted via email and must include:
A completed Application Form outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and how your skills and experience meet the requirements for the position
Only applications fully submitted will be accepted into the campaign.
To apply for this role candidates must submit the relevant, signed and completed application form to mara@osborne.ie
Closing Date:
Deadline for application: Please note latest receipt for applications is 1:00pm on Monday 9th March 2026. Incomplete applications, postal applications or CV’s will not be accepted. Any applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered.
An acknowledgement email will be issued for all applications received. If you do not receive acknowledgement of your application within two working days of submission, please contact Osborne Recruitment at mara@osborne.ie to ensure your application has been received.
Please submit your updated CV in Word Format. If you are living in Ireland and hold a valid work permit we would love to hear from you, if however you do not hold a valid work permit unfortunately we will not be in a position to assist you with your job search.
Osborne is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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