THE Orange Order has renewed its search for the organisation's first ever chief executive after an initial recruitment trawl failed to find a suitable candidate.
The full-time post, which was first advertised in March this year, offers an annual salary of £50,000 – but non-members and previous applicants need not apply.
The appointment is part of a strategy by the loyal order to make itself more modern and professional.
However, the competition is open only to members of the Orange Order.
According to the application form, the specification that the new chief executive is an Orangeman has been "classified as a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015".
The application form includes a mandatory monitoring form which enables employers to comply with fair employment legislation.
It states: "The Grand Orange Lodge practice equality of opportunity in employment and select the best person for the job.
"The aim is to promote equality of opportunity so that no employee or potential employee will be subject to unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of gender, age, marital status, colour, race, nationality or other ethnic or national origin, disability, religion or sexual relationship."
In addition to being a member of the order, the successful candidate needs to be educated to degree level and have a minimum of three years' relevant senior management experience or equivalent.
"Further to the recent success of the Museum of Orange Heritage, this is an exciting opportunity to actively participate in the next phase of the growth and development of an institution with a long history and proud tradition," the job description states.
The responsibilities earmarked for chief executive would have previously been carried out by the organisation's director of services.
However, this role was axed last December following an internal review.
Earlier this year Orange grand secretary Drew Nelson said one of the new chief executive's aims would be to make the organisation "more proactive rather than reactive".
"I suppose in a sense we are seeking to influence and stay relevant in a different way than we’ve previously done," he said.
