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Job Opportunity - Policy & Research Officer

13 October 2026

We are looking for a highly motivated and innovative individual to support the Agency in ensuring Ulster-Scots communities effectively contribute to policy development, consultations, and evidence-based advocacy initiatives.

You will play a pivotal role in enhancing the Agency’s policy influence, community advocacy and research capability.

You will be able to demonstrate:

  • Significant experience of strategic policy development (preferably within the public or third sector)
  • Strong communication skills that can influence and persuade effectively within a wide range of stakeholders at all levels
  • Experience in setting up and facilitating stakeholder and/or community forums
  • Strong experience in commissioning, conducting and interpreting research. 

If you demonstrate experience in the areas mentioned above and can satisfy the eligibility criteria below, you could be the perfect new addition to our team.

To be eligible to apply you must:

 

  1. Be able to demonstrate the Right to Work in the UK (we do not offer sponsorship)
  2. Be educated to degree level or equivalent work experience
  3. Be able to demonstrate competency through your application form of the NICS Competency Framework at Level 3. 

A full job description is available in the Candidate Information Pack.

For further information about our Agency and the work we do, please visit our website here or the Discover Ulster-Scots website.

 

To request an application pack or obtain further information about the role, please contact Paula Knowles at pknowles@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk or via telephone 028 9023 1113.

 

Please note we do not accept applications via Recruitment Agencies. As an organisation that fully supports and promotes equality, diversity and inclusion, we would encourage and welcome applications from groups currently under-represented at the Agency.

 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on Friday 30th October 2026.

 

Please note we reserve the right to close this competition early should we receive an unexpectedly high number of applications.

 

About Us


Our vision here at the Ulster-Scots Agency is that Ulster-Scots should flourish as a rich, vibrant, and growing culture with a global legacy that is recognised at home and abroad. 


Our mission is to inspire, educate, and empower people to understand and enjoy their Ulster-Scots identity, to foster kinship with those beyond Ulster that share our identity, and to enhance friendship across Ulster with those whose primary identity is not Ulster-Scots; and all this while working to continuously improve our governance, financial performance and customer focus.


At the Ulster-Scots Agency our people are at the heart of everything we do. As a valued colleague within our small team, you will become part of a vibrant organisational culture which has a strong focus on learning and development, having achieved and retained Investors in People status for a number of years. 

 

We offer an excellent employment package that includes:

·         Great terms & conditions

·         Pension scheme

·         Hybrid and Flexible working opportunities

·         Family-friendly initiatives

·         Career development opportunities

·         Support for health & mental wellbeing

·         Generous holiday entitlement 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days upon completion of 5 years' service), plus 12 public holidays.

 

As Policy & Research Officer, you will be joining a highly passionate and dedicated team who will make you feel very welcome from day one, and will offer you the best support to enable you to achieve your full potential here.