15—(1) The Ombudsman may—N.I.
(a)appoint staff,
(b)determine the terms and conditions of their employment, and
(c)make arrangements in respect of salary and pensions for them.
(2) In exercising powers under sub-paragraph (1), the Ombudsman must have regard to the desirability of keeping the terms and conditions of employment, salary and pensions broadly in line with those applying to persons employed in the civil service of Northern Ireland.
(3) No member of staff of the Ombudsman is to be regarded—
(a)as the servant or agent of the Crown, or
(b)as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.
(4) But each member of staff is a Crown servant for the purposes of the Official Secrets Act 1989.
(5) Scheme regulations for a scheme under section 1 of the Public Services Pensions Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, which is a scheme made by virtue of section 1(2)(a) of that Act, have effect with respect to the pension and other benefits to be paid in respect of persons who have been staff of the Ombudsman, as if they were employed in the civil service of Northern Ireland.