Research Officer (Public Finance / Economics)

Location: Belfast – Northern Ireland Assembly
Salary: £52,009 per annum
Working Pattern: Full-time – Hybrid working available
Contract: Temporary – Maternity Cover

About the Role

VANRATH are delighted to be recruiting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission for an experienced Research Officer (Public Finance / Economics) to join the Public Finance Scrutiny Unit (PFSU) within the Finance & Economics Research Team of RaISe (Research and Information Service).

This is a key role providing non-partisan, objective, and evidence-based research to support Assembly Members (MLAs), Committees, and senior officials. You will deliver accurate written and oral briefings, routinely published online, to inform and facilitate Assembly business.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with MLAs, Assembly Committees, and senior officials to understand research requirements.
• Retrieve and synthesise information from a broad range of governmental and non-governmental sources.
• Provide timely, accurate, and impartial research and analysis in Public Finance and Economics.
• Produce high-quality written outputs, including customised research papers, legislative analysis, training materials, and blog posts.
• Present research briefings to MLAs, Committees, and other stakeholders, including during public sessions.
• Facilitate public events such as the Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series (KESS).
• Develop links with government departments, research institutions, and other parliaments/assemblies.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues to meet RaISe and Assembly standards.
• Identify opportunities for new research outputs and improved service delivery.
• Adhere to all Assembly and RaISe-specific policies, including Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work.

Essential Criteria

Applicants must, by the closing date:

Hold at least a primary degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent/higher qualification, with at least 50% of course content in Public Finance/ at least 3 years’ post-qualification experience in both:a) Undertaking objective, non-partisan, evidence-based research drawing on a wide variety of reliable sources (governmental and non-governmental).

b) Writing and presenting research reports/papers that informed policy development discussions and decisions.

For more information, please contact Ethan Boylan today.

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Some feedback from recent VANRATH candidates-

”I would highly recommend VANRATH who I found to be thoroughly helpful, informative and efficient from first point of contact. Within a week of sending my CV I had interviewed and received an offer for a new role”

”Very pleased with the service provided and extremely appreciative to VANRATH, who I’d highly recommend.”

”VANRATH was very helpful in assisting me in obtaining my new employment post. They made care to stay in touch, inform me of any updates and gave me some excellent interview advice. Thank you for all your assistance; I wouldn’t think twice about using VANRATH again. Outstanding service.”

Skills:
Research Officer Public Finance Economics Public Sector

Benefits:
Work From Home