Job Description

Happy Jobs NI is delighted to partner with the Rural Community Network (RCN) in the recruitment of a Policy and Public Affairs (PPA) Officer to join their expanding team.

About The Rural Community Network

Rural Community Network is a regional voluntary membership based organisation supporting rural communities across Northern Ireland. RCN works with rural communities to address issues relating to poverty, inequality, community and good relations and strives to develop the capacity and skills of groups to articulate their voice at a policy influence level.

RCN provide training, advice, guidance and practical support to their membership base and they articulate the voice of their membership at government policy level.

About The Role

This is an incredible opportunity for a highly organised and creative policy professional to step into a rewarding role with an organisation committed to working to address issues that affect rural communities, cause rural deprivation and disadvantage and to promote and enhance the rural community asset base.

RCN’s ambition is to provide support to enable inclusive, thriving and sustainable rural communities and articulate the voice of rural communities on the issues that affect them.

This is a pivotal moment to join the organisation, and you’ll play a vital part in transforming rural development through rural proofing and empowering rural community groups, helping to create a better future for rural communities.

Package & Benefits

• Salary NJC Point 30 - £38223 (under review)
  Full time position – subject to ongoing funding
• 11 Bank Holidays + 25 days annual leave per year
• Pension Scheme with 6% Employer Contribution
• Enhanced sick leave and parental leave policies
• Cost of eye tests
• Flexible working, with Time off in Lieu and compressed hours if required
• Hybrid working (minimum of 50% of working week in the office)
  
  

Key Duties & Responsibilities

As the Policy, Public Affairs (PPA) Officer, you will play a crucial role in driving RCN’s engagement activity.

Supporting RCN’s policy influencing capacity, you will develop strategic approaches to address issues impacting on rural communities. You’ll identify opportunities to promote Rural Proofing of public services and public policy through various channels, such as committee enquiries, consultations and news developments.

You’ll co-ordinate the delivery of communications, developing high-quality materials for internal and external audiences and promoting the impact of RCN through digital posts, reports, briefings, statements and policy positions.

Additionally, you will:

• Ensure key messages are communicated effectively
• Maintain a network of external and internal relationships
• Support and consult with RCN partners and stakeholder groups
• Maintain accurate and secure records of all relevant communication.
• Work with the Director and Board to draft responses to policy consultations and submissions.
• Have an ability to work at speed, condensing large quantities of information down to compelling, accurate key messages
• Maintain a good understanding of emerging themes in rural development, news, policy and politics and ensure the organisation is able to respond appropriately in a timely manner.
• Undertake research, evidence-gathering and applying critical analysis to a variety of sector-based topics.
• Identify policy areas and contribute to policy development through project work and member activities.
• Support learning for others in Rural development including producing reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Engage with a wide range of stakeholders to better understand the rural development sector and academic attitudes to key policy agendas and increase the impact of the organisations’ influence across the sector.
• Work closely with the Director to plan the development and release of information to help maximise the impact of our policy and research outputs.
• Shape our engagement with key public policy areas, contribute to policy discussions, coordinate impactful roundtables and workshops in response to requests for input into a range of policy challenges.
• Support the organisation’s work in public affairs, including stakeholder mapping, identifying political drivers and improve the relationship between politicians, decision makers and the organisation.
• Support the Director in the promotion of the organisation to academic, commercial, and public sector organisations.

Selection Criteria:

Essential criteria

• Degree and 3 years experience in the past ten years of working in a policy environment

OR

5 years experience in the past ten years of working in a policy environment.

• Excellent proven project management, planning and development skills.
• Excellent organisational, written, and oral communication skills, including experience and confidence in public speaking, report-writing, and dealing with press and media.
• The ability to work on own initiative, and to develop good working relationships with stakeholders and partners.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills
• A creative, innovative approach to presenting information across different formats and channels, for a range of audiences
• Proven ability to understand and communicate a broad range of policy issues.
• The role may require a flexible approach to working days in order to meet the demands of the role.
• There will be a number of days a year where travel away from the office is required for events, partner visits. These events are usually held within the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Desirable Experience:

• Knowledge of rural development and rural regions is desirable
• Strong partnership skills with the ability to identify and seize strategic opportunities.
• Experience of working at a senior level

You may also be of interest for this role if you are currently working in roles such as Rural Policy Advisor, Public Affairs Specialist, Policy Analyst, Policy Lead, Policy Manager, Research Consultant, Policy Engagement Officer, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator or in other areas directly related to policy and to rural community affairs

*Closing date for applications for this role is 1st May at 5pm. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews, which are scheduled to take place on (Date TBC) in-person at the RCN head office. *

Please note: All applications will be processed upon their receipt and not after the job advert closing date therefore we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role, should this occur the provisional interview date may be brought forward. Therefore if you are interested in the position, we strongly advise submitting your application as early as possible. If you would like to confirm the current application status prior to applying for the role please contact Happy Jobs NI directly at hello@happyjobsni.com or on 02890995808.

If you are a seeking a new challenge, we would love to hear from you. To express your interest and learn more about this exciting opportunity, please submit your updated CV outlining your relevant experience and achievements either by applying online or sending your CV to hello@happyjobsni.com alternatively call our team on 028 9099 5808 and we'd be happy to answer any questions you may have on the position and share the full job description for this role.