The postholder will be responsible for developing and delivering Barnardo's policy and public affairs activity across Northern Ireland, using intelligence and feedback to plan and deliver influencing activity that delivers transformational change for children. You will work closely with our frontline services, the wider UK Policy and Public Affairs Team, our communications team, and our voice and influence team to bring the voices of children and young people to decision makers in NI in order to make childhoods safer, healthier, happier, and more hopeful.This will be busy year in Stormont with a comprehensive legislative and policy development agenda, before the upcoming Assembly election in 2027. A key policy and influencing area for Barnardo's in Northern Ireland is the Anti-Poverty Strategy, where we work closely with partners across civil society to set out our evidence-based recommendations. We also have a key focus on the implementation of the recommendations from the Independent Review of Children's Social Care Services. In addition to these key areas, there are a number of other policy and influencing priorities that the team in Northern Ireland deliver on, as well as responding to policies and proposals published by government departments and key stakeholders.You will be managing one Policy and Public Affairs Officer (0.6 FTE) and will be line managed by the UK Policy and Public Affairs Manager, as well as having close relationships with the Director for Barnardo's Northern Ireland, and colleagues delivering services across Northern Ireland.The role is offered on a hybrid basis and will require travel to Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland, as well as occasionally to London and/or other parts of the UK, for in-person meetings as required.
Responsibilities
* Working with the Nation Director, Public Affairs Manager, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, External Comms Team, Senior Policy Advisors, and other keycolleagues as required, to take lead responsibility for Barnardo’s engagement with government.
* Work collaboratively with the Nation Director, Public Affairs Manager, Senior Policy.Advisors and wider Children’s Services colleagues as required to agree policypriorities for Barnardo’s within the nation context.
* Working collaboratively to lead the development of new policy thinking that is credible and influential, drawing on our own and external evidence.
* Receive, handle and manage confidential, politically and commercially sensitiveinformation on behalf of Barnardo’s in the devolved Nation as the primary interfacewith Government decision making and commercial opportunity.
* To identify opportunities and support the involvement of Barnardo’s NI services andservices in our policy and public affairs work.
* Please see website for full details.
Skills and Qualifications
* Educated to Degree level or hold equivalent professional qualification..
* Demonstrable experience representing a high profile organisation instakeholder, political and official forums, and preferably in external media.
* Demonstrable experience of involving internal and external stakeholders,including children and young people, in policy development, e.g.stakeholder events, roundtable discussions, focus groups, surveys.
* A successful track record leading the development of evidence-basedpolicy.
* Demonstrable experience working in policy and/or public affairs, either inhouse or at an agency.
* Knowledge of current social policy in Northern Ireland, particularly as itrelates to children and young people.
* Please see website for full details.
Further Information
Hours: 36.25 hours per week.Salary: £38,864.80 - £52,520.00.Contract type: Fixed to 31 October 2026 (Maternity Cover).Location: Hybrid - Barnardo's Northern Ireland Office base negotiable.Interview date: TBC.A waiting list will be held in the event that similar vacancies arise during the next 12 months.
Area: All of Northern Ireland
Closing date: 07 Nov 2025
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