Senior Policy and Public Affairs (Northern Ireland)

Hospice UK; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading charity organization for hospice care is seeking a part-time Policy and Public Affairs Officer based in Belfast. This role involves policy research, public affairs strategy, and building relationships with stakeholders. Essential experience in policy or public affairs in Northern Ireland is required. The position offers flexibility with hybrid working arrangements and is a unique chance to influence hospice care in Northern Ireland.

Benefits

25 days annual leave pro-rata

Matched pension scheme up to 7%

Family-friendly culture

Learning and development opportunities

Enhanced carers and compassionate leave

Qualifications

• Essential experience in policy, public affairs, campaigns or related field.
• Good understanding of policy development and parliamentary processes in Northern Ireland.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct policy research and analysis to brief colleagues and hospices.
• Plan and deliver public affairs activity to influence political debate.
• Develop effective relationships with key partners and stakeholders.
• Act as a media spokesperson at external events.
• Build relationships with hospices in Northern Ireland.

Skills

Policy analysis

Public affairs

Communication skills

Relationship building

Influencing skills

Job description

Details

Salary: £22,800 per annum based on 3 days/21 hours per week (FTE: £38,000 per annum).

Contract: Fixed‑term contract for two years. Part‑time role working 3 days (21 hours) per week.

Location: The position will be based in Northern Ireland, with a desk at Northern Ireland Hospice, Belfast. This role is eligible for the Hospice UK Hybrid Working Arrangement from the start of employment. Hospice UK’s head office is based in London. This role will have full web‑based connectivity to the central office, with regular opportunities to engage with the line manager and colleagues via email, face‑to‑face meetings, video calls, and telephone.

Travel: While working flexibly, you will be expected to travel to Belfast at short notice if required. Occasional travel to London for department or organisational events, such as our in‑person quarterly events, may also be required.

Benefits

• 25 days pro‑rata in the first year, increasing to 27.5 days pro‑rata in the second year of service and 30 days pro‑rata in the third.
• Matched pension scheme up to 7% of salary.
• Family‑friendly culture.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Enhanced carers and compassionate leave.

Job Information

This exciting new role in our award‑winning External Affairs department will work on policy and public affairs in Northern Ireland. You will fight for the hospice sector and people who need their care and support, helping us to create a nation where no one misses out on the care they need at the end of their lives. This will be our first on‑the‑ground role in Northern Ireland, providing the post‑holder with the opportunity to build our influencing work from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Policy research, development and analysis – keep track of policy and political developments in Stormont, analyse their impact on hospices and people who need palliative care and brief colleagues and hospices on this. Prepare succinct and influential reports, consultation responses and briefings on policy issues for a range of audiences.
• Public affairs and campaigning – plan and deliver public affairs activity to achieve Hospice UK’s strategic aims and react to opportunities to influence the political debate in Northern Ireland, engaging with civil servants, parliamentarians and other external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key partners and stakeholders.
• Act as a media spokesperson and represent Hospice UK at external events, meetings and conferences.
• Build relationships with hospices in Northern Ireland to understand the challenges they face and the context they operate within.

Qualifications

Essential experience in policy, public affairs, campaigns or a related field in Northern Ireland and a good understanding of policy development and/or parliamentary processes in Northern Ireland.

Excellent communication, influencing and relationship‑building skills, with an ability to quickly read, understand and respond to complex information.

How to Apply

To apply for this role, send your CV (preferably Microsoft Word, less than 3 pages A4) and a completed supporting statement form – available on our website – by midnight on Sunday 30 November 2025. Also include a completed equalities monitoring form – available on our website.

We will shortlist candidates based on CV and supporting statements. Shortlisted candidates will be sent a briefing of what to expect.

Contact details should be provided in your email. If you require any accommodations to participate fully in the process, please let us know.

EEO Statement

To be considered for this role you must have the right to live and work in the UK. Hospice UK is an equal‑opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

We believe in fair recruitment and work to remove bias, so all applications will have identifying indicators removed before being submitted to the shortlisting panel.