WE ARE RECRUITING AREA MANAGERS
We are currently inviting applications from suitably qualified and experienced social workers who are committed to making a positive and lasting difference. This role offers an opportunity to lead and support a probation team within the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI), contributing to safer communities and meaningful change in people’s lives.
As an Area Manager, you will provide inclusive, supportive leadership, working alongside frontline colleagues and partner organisations. This is an important leadership position that balances public protection with care for staff wellbeing, collaboration, and effective partnership working.
PBNI is a central part of the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland and works with a range of statutory partners and voluntary and community groups to reduce reoffending. Our work is grounded in the values of respect, integrity, openness, accountability, and compassion. We recognise people’s capacity to change and have victims at the heart of everything we do.
We value the commitment and contributions of our employees and are committed to providing a supportive, inclusive and transparent working environment. Our comprehensive reward and benefits package reflect this commitment and includes:
- Membership of the NILGOSC pension scheme
- Learning and development opportunities to support personal growth and professional accountability
- Wellbeing events and a range of support mechanisms
- Hybrid working arrangements, where appropriate
We currently have vacancies throughout Northern Ireland, including in Prisons, and we hope to retain a reserve list for any future permanent, temporary, full-time and part-time vacancies within the following 12-month period.
Applications must be submitted online by 12 noon on Wednesday 3 June 2026. Applications received after this time cannot be considered.
As part of our commitment to building a diverse and representative workforce,
applications are particularly welcomed from males, who are currently under represented at
this grade.
Visit our Recruitment website for an application pack and more information
Area Manager Job Description and Person Specification - May 2026
Area Manager Recruitment timetable and contact information - May 2026
Read the PBNI pay scales
Read the Candidate Booklet
Pay on Appointment Policy and Procedures
Check our Recruitment Website for all vacancies
Become a Probation Officer
Recruitment Policy and Procedures
Read our Recruitment Policy and Recruitment Procedure for information on our recruitment process. You should also read our Equal Opportunities Policy and our Privacy Notice for Applicants. Also read the Probation Behavioural Competency Framework
Find out more about Probation
Agency Opportunities
We place a wide range of roles from administration staff to Probation Officers with this agency.
We work in partnership with Honeycomb to fulfil our temporary recruitment needs. The agency we use is an Equal Opportunities employers.
Did you know?
The Probation Board for Northern Ireland matches agency worker pay and holiday entitlements with permanent workers from Day 1 – many organisations don’t match these terms for the first 12 weeks of placement.