Applications for the post can be made on GetGotJobs Portal through the following link: no later than 12 noon on Monday 20th October 25.
1. JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Policy and Engagement Officer
Reporting to: Senior Policy and Engagement Officer
Grade: PO2 (NJC Scale)
Salary: £39,862 to £42,839 per annum
Location: Belfast
Main purpose of job
The Policy and Engagement Officer will provide support to the Director of Improvement, Engagement and Impact and Senior Policy & Engagement Officer to ensure the development and effective implementation of learning from the broad range of NIPSO investigations. This will include both maladministration investigations and local government standards investigations linked to the Code of Conduct for local Councillors. Duties will include conducting research, policy analysis and the development of outcome and impact measurements. It will also involve understanding case decisions and case thresholds and using these to improve standards across both the Councillor community and public bodies. The post holder will participate in networks established with public bodies, elected representatives, advocacy and support groups and other regulators and oversight bodies to; understand issues with the delivery of public services, ensure the dissemination of learning from NIPSO investigations both maladministration and local government ethical standards to improve public services and standards of conduct and promote a culture of learning from complaints.
Summary of principal duties and responsibilities:
* Support the Director of Improvement, Engagement and Impact in the development and implementation of improvement, impact and learning from complaints in Northern Ireland on behalf of the Ombudsman;
* Establish NIPSO as an authoritative voice on learning lessons from complaints;
* Work with the Director of Improvement, Engagement and Impact and Senior Policy & Engagement Officer to ensure NIPSO uses its complaints investigations as an evidence base to shape NIPSO's contribution to policy, research, standards and broader lessons for change as well as measuring the impact of NIPSO's work;
* Support the Director of Improvement, Engagement and Impact in the development of outcome and impact indicators for NIPSO across the broad range of work to ensure achievement of outcomes;
* Assist in the development of appropriate and sound methodological approaches to research, reports and investigations;
* Assist in the analysis of evidence and identification of trends from NIPSO investigations and decisions to enable NIPSO to contribute to policy development for the improvement of public services and standards;
* Maintain a review of complaints and Code of Conduct decisions in other jurisdictions and feed them in to NIPSO's analysis of evidence and trends;
* Work with the Director of Improvement, Engagement and Impact and the Senior Policy & Engagement Officer in the collation, analysis and publication of key statistics, case digests, thematic reports, toolkits, guidance and other publications which ensure the lessons of NIPSO's work and its impact for learning and improvement across the public sector and in improving standards of conduct is understood and addressed;
* Present the work and findings of the engagement, improvement and impact function to a wide range of audiences;
* Engage with public bodies, political representatives, support and advocacy groups and appropriate networks to ensure the lessons from and impact of NIPSO's work is properly and appropriately shared for the purpose of improving public services, standards of conduct and promoting a culture of learning from complaints;
* Promote NIPSO's engagement strategy to ensure those most disadvantaged and who find it hardest to engage with the complaints process are supported to engage with NIPSO and share their experience;
* Assist in the preparation of reports, presentations, articles and other materials as required by NIPSO to support the complaints standards function;
* Cooperate with colleagues across NIPSO to ensure the most efficient use of resources to achieve strategic, business and operational objectives;
* Contribute to the annual business and operational plan on engagement, improvement and impact; and
* Any other duties commensurate with the main purpose of the role.
General Responsibilities & Duties
* Adhere to the NIPSO values of fairness, impartiality, openness, respect and integrity;
* Adhere to and promote the Office policies on Equality of Opportunity and Dignity at Work, demonstrating a commitment to the principles of equality, fairness and diversity in all aspects of work;
* Have due regard for your own safety and that of others, behaving appropriately at all times and reporting all accidents no matter how minor;
* Take responsibility for the development of own skills and knowledge through proactive engagement in the internal performance review processes; and
* Undertake ad-hoc, cross-functional project work supporting the development of the Office and service provision as reasonably requested by your line manager.
This job description is subject to review and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolves. Therefore, the postholder will be required to be flexible and adaptable and aware that they may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the job description, but which are commensurate with the role
1. PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of applications, be able to demonstrate by providing personal and specific examples on their application form that they have:
Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of applications, be able to demonstrate by providing personal and specific examples on their application form that they have:
Qualifications
(i) Educated to degree level (or equivalent) AND a minimum of 2 years' relevant work experience in a policy and engagement related field (AF & I)
OR
A minimum of 4 years' relevant work experience in a policy and engagement related field (AF & I)
· Excellent people and relationship management skills and ability to operate in an environment with a complex set of stakeholders (I);
· Excellent oral and written communication skills and experience of translating complex information into easily accessible reports, consultation responses and other materials (AF, I);
· Demonstrable experience in the use of IT Software and a range of Microsoft Office tools to include Excel (P, I);
· Understanding of the complex policy environment within which NIPSO sits and experience of contributing to influencing policy (AF, I);
· Research skills and understanding of key research methodologies (I);
· Experience of engaging with a broad range of stakeholders to influence change (AF, P, I).
· Experience of engagement with politicians (AF, I).
* The post involves regular travel throughout Northern Ireland and the transportation and carrying of promotional materials on occasion. Applicants must therefore hold a current full driving licence with access to suitable transport on appointment. Consideration will be given to alternative travelling proposals in respect of applicants who have a disability and cannot hold a driving licence. (AF)
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
In addition to the above essential criteria, NIPSO reserves the right to only shortlist those
candidates who can also demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples on the
application form that they have:
* Knowledge of Outcomes Based Accountability (AF);
* Experience of influencing political representatives and senior decision makers on a wide range of policy issues (AF, I);
* Experience of contributing to the development and use of outcomes and impact indicators (AF, P, I).
SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
Applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of the following skills, competencies and attributes which will be tested at interview and through a presentation task:
· Oral and Written Communication
· Collaborative Working
· Analytical and Problem Solving
· Continuous Improvement
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £39,862.00-£42,839.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Flexitime
* Free parking
* Sick pay
* Transport links
* Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Belfast BT1 6GF