Central Trade Union Side (CTUS) is currently involved in ongoing consultation on the development of a Job Families Framework and its implications for Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) staff.
Our aim has been to ensure that any resulting policy does not disadvantage staff, restrict promotion opportunities, undervalue existing experience, or create new barriers to career progression and employee mobility.
CTUS has raised concerns with Management Side about parts of the framework, including the risk of creating silos that confine staff to a particular job family or role, and restricted access to training and skills development that could limit movement across departments and professions.
CTUS continues to advocate for internal promotion opportunities and a framework that creates genuine opportunities, recognises staff skills and experience, and provides clear, fair and transparent routes for career development within the NICS.
NIPSA will continue to keep members informed of developments.
Maria Morgan
Deputy General Secretary
What is the Job Families Framwork?
As described by the NICS in the Recruitment to the NICS Annual Report 2025, page 8-9: The Job Families Framework introduces a single, consistent way of structuring roles across the Civil Service, based on the nature of work and skills required, rather than the current General Service model which appoints most staff primarily to grade. When implemented, the framework will group roles into job families, professions and standard job profiles. The framework categorises roles, not people, and does not change grading, pay or contractual terms. The framework will be a key enabler of strategic workforce planning, clearer career pathways and the Integr8 system. The draft framework is currently subject to formal consultation with trade unions and will be implemented in line with agreed governance and engagement processes.