Director of Policy and Insight

My client is a well-established organisation who represent for the voluntary and community sectors within Northern Ireland, providing advice, support, leadership and management training.

This is a Full-Time, Permanent Position.

Working hours: 35 hours per week.

With a salary of £55,610 – £57,867 per annum

Job Role:

Reporting to the CEO, you will be working alongside the Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Sector Support to lead the Policy & Insight team, driving research, convening members to amplify sector voice and informing policy to strengthen the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.

Essential Criteria:

• A degree (or equivalent) level qualification in a relevant discipline with a strong element of Policy, Public Relations, Research; and a minimum of 3 years’ relevant work experience in each of the following areas: Working in a policy development role to include leading on consultations on social and economic policy issues. Leading, developing and managing a high performing team to deliver quality work to tight deadlines. Collaborating with a wide range of key stakeholders that may include government departments, political representatives and appropriate representatives from the sector OR A minimum of 5 years’ experience in each of the above.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establish member policy forums and enable member voice to inform policy development supporting organisations to generate solutions to social, economic and environmental problems.
• Lead, manage and develop the research strategy including producing State of the Sector reports to provide evidence for policy analysis.
• Write and lead the development of high-quality briefings, consultation responses, reports and other policy outputs as required.
• Build effective relationships with government officials, politicians, other voluntary organisations, academics and others in the social policy field to further the company’s effectiveness in delivering policy outcomes.
• Establish the business as a central hub for sector knowledge by developing our own research agenda and building connections with academia and other stakeholders.
• Provide advice and information on UK/NI/RoI institutions, policies, legislation and programmes to voluntary and community sector organisations and to build the capacity of organisations to influence the same.
• Identify opportunities for the development of the Policy and Insight agenda to include identifying opportunities for funding specific projects and contributing to the writing of funding applications alongside the Fundraising & Operational Development Manager.
• Develop and lead the company’s ambitious media and communication strategy ensuring a good public media profile for the voluntary and community sector and the businesses work.
• Develop media opportunities for the company, preparing statements and comments as required and to act as the media spokesperson in the CEO’s absence, articulating policy positions on all aspects of public affairs.
• Manage, support and develop the Communications Manager to ensure regular and emerging communications to Members and the wider sector through multiple channels, including website, newsletters/bulletins, social media and printed publications.
• Contribute to the achievement of strategic goals, the development, implementation and review of the Policy & Insight operational plan.

Skills:
Director of Policy & Insight Director Chairty Permanent