Policy & Research Officer

Vanrath; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Public sector pension

Flexitime

Hybrid working

Training and development

Job summary

VANRATH is recruiting a Policy & Research Officer for a public body in Belfast city centre. The role is permanent and full-time, offering hybrid working with Wednesday office attendance and one rota day.

You will shape policy strategy, manage evidence-based advocacy and supervise research and consultations. The position reports to the Director of Corporate Services, requires degree-level education or equivalent, strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, and a track record in policy

Qualifications

• Right to work in the UK (sponsorship is not available)
• Educated to degree level, or equivalent work experience
• Able to demonstrate competency at Staff Officer level (Level 3) of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Competency Framework
• Strong communication and influencing skills; persuade stakeholders at all levels
• Experience in commissioning, conducting and interpreting research; turn evidence into practical recommendations
• Experience in setting up and facilitating stakeholder or community forums
• Strong organisational skills and ability to deliver at pace and manage competing priorities

Responsibilities

• Support policy advocacy, drafting consultation responses and policy briefings; represent the organisation in key strategic forums
• Support the senior management team on policy matters; prepare, monitor and review the policy suite and evidence-based documents
• Draft and analyse policy options; prepare briefings and submissions for senior management and stakeholders
• Carry out participatory and desk-based research; translate community experience into policy recommendations
• Collaborate with external organisations on joint evidence studies and commissioned research
• Set up and facilitate forums connecting communities with policymakers and service providers
• Contribute to organisational learning and assist with strategic planning and evaluation

Skills

Strong communication

Influencing skills

Organisation

Stakeholder facilitation

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Job description

Policy & Research Officer

VANRATH are delighted to be working with a small, well-established public body in Belfast city centre to recruit a Policy & Research Officer. This is a permanent, full-time role for an experienced policy professional who wants to shape strategy, influence decision‑makers and make a real difference to the communities the organisation serves.

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Services, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation's policy influence, community advocacy and research capability, ensuring communities can contribute effectively to policy development, consultations and evidence‑based advocacy. You will also help shape the direction of strategic planning, drawing on your track record in research, analysis, evaluation and policy development.

Salary: £37,000 - £39,000 (public sector pay scale, with annual increments)

Hours: Permanent, full‑time, 37 hours per week over 5 days, with flexitime

Working pattern: Hybrid (office attendance is required every Wednesday plus one other rota'd day each week)

Reporting to: Director of Corporate Services

Location: Belfast city centre

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

• Support policy advocacy, drafting consultation responses and policy briefings, and represent the organisation in key strategic forums
• Support the senior management team on policy matters, taking a lead role in preparing, monitoring and reviewing the policy suite and commissioning evidence‑based documents and guidance
• Draft and analyse policy options to establish well‑evidenced, legally sound positions, and prepare clear, accurate and timely briefings and submissions for senior management, sponsor departments and stakeholders
• Carry out participatory and desk‑based research, translating community experience into practical policy recommendations
• Collaborate with external organisations on joint evidence studies, methodologies and commissioned research, and keep on top of emerging trends and human rights issues affecting minority cultures
• Set up and facilitate forums connecting communities with policymakers, service providers and other stakeholders, ensuring policy outputs are cohesive, evidence‑based and deliverable
• Contribute to organisational learning, support community groups in policy engagement, and assist with strategic planning and evaluation

What You Will Need

Essential

• Right to work in the UK (sponsorship is not available for this role)
• Educated to degree level, or equivalent work experience
• Able to demonstrate competency at Staff Officer level (Level 3) of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Competency Framework, assessed through the application form
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to persuade stakeholders at all levels
• Experience in commissioning, conducting and interpreting research, and turning evidence into practical recommendations
• Experience in setting up and facilitating stakeholder or community forums
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to deliver at pace and manage competing priorities

Desirable

• A strong background in strategic policy development within the public or third sector

Benefits

• Salary on a public sector pay scale, with annual increments
• 25 days' annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus 12 public holidays
• Public sector pension scheme
• Flexitime and hybrid working
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Support for health and mental wellbeing
• Training and career development opportunities

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