• highly experienced in external affairs, and in understanding NI’s political and policy landscape • experienced in working and delivering through partnerships and with senior leadership teams, making a proactive contribution to their success, whether that’s in public, private or third sector. • knowledgeable and experienced in working on environment and cultural/heritage policy issues • a skilled communicator, who can build strong relationships within diverse teams and with individuals at all levels both internally and externally. • a flexible thinker and problem-solver, skilled at negotiating and building productive networks, and confident in using your expertise to influence decisions • a critical thinker, adept at thinking long term • proactive and organised, with experience of managing projects and a talent for multi-tasking and getting things done, strongly focused on detail, quality, cost and time. • a leader for inclusion, who finds ways to create an inclusive culture. External Affairs ConsultantYou’ll be part of the Trust’s Northern Ireland country communications team: a flexible team who collaborate to ensure our charity’s strategy engages priority audiences locally and nationally. You’ll share practice and expertise with other external affairs consultants in the organisation, and our national policy and advocacy team. You’ll thrive on the challenge of managing competing demands. Your contractual place of work will be the National Trust office in Belfast, with hybrid working. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust site for 40–60% of your working week. With an eye on delivery of our strategic goals, you’ll play a key role in long term horizon scanning across the policy and advocacy environment. Working with the Country Director and leadership team you’ll support stakeholder engagement, collaborating internally and externally to increase understanding of the Trust's core purpose and enhance our reputation and influence with key stakeholders, politicians, civic society leaders, business leaders and opinion formers. An excellent communicator, you’ll champion our cause whilst ensuring relevance in our local cultural, political and policy context. You’ll also be supporting local teams to navigate their local stakeholder environment, sharing your professional knowledge and guidance. There will be many opportunities for you to be creative and innovative, as we have big ambitions to increase our advocacy impact for nature, heritage, climate change and coast. Much of what we do is through collaboration, so forming positive relationships with other organisations is an essential part of delivery in this role. The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)• Rental deposit loan scheme• Season ticket loan• EV car lease scheme • Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.• Flexible working whenever possible• Employee assistance programme• Free parking at most Trust places Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you. Closing Date: 05 October 2025*Internal Applicants only* Our colleagues work for the National Trust in many locations and sometimes don't have easy access to internal vacancy listings. Using the internet ensures we can reach as many of our colleagues as possible. We appreciate that this can be frustrating for external talent. Do note that some roles are released externally after an initial period of time. To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at recruitmentenquiries@nationaltrust.org.ukIf you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at adjustments@nationaltrustjobs.org.uk and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.Equal Opportunities Statement The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here. Safeguarding Statement The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre. Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early. 166394IRC166394BallynahinchPermanent p/t (30 hrs pw)Ends: Oct 5th INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLYAre you a policy professional, a strategic problem-solver, a collaborator and an influencer, with experience gained in complex organisations? Would you love the chance to make a real difference for nature, heritage and local people with National Trust’s Northern Ireland team? We’re looking for an External Affairs Consultant to join a dynamic and energetic team, engaging people in our cause. Rowallane House - RO, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, BT24 7LHCompliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK35,599 pa