BALLYMENA SO – Research & Information Consultant – DEGREE REQUIRED.

BALLYMENA SO – Research & Information Consultant – DEGREE REQUIRED

Pay Rate: £19.59 per hour

Location: Academy House, Ballymena. The NICS hybrid working policy will be applicable. Travel to other locations in NI will be required.

Requirements: 5 GCSE’S C and Above (Including Maths and English), 2 A Levels C and Above. Degree.

The post holder must demonstrate:

• Research & Analysis – Ability to research and analyse complex evidence in collaboration with other NICS Departments and in consultation with experts which is evidence informed in respect of meeting rural need.
• Report Writing – Ability to present complex information to Minister, Executive, AERA Committee, Assembly and SMT providing concise and up-to-date information often within very tight timescales for consideration.
• Communication – Ability to actively encourage ideas from a wide range of sources and stakeholders and use these to inform future thinking. Ability to invite challenge to help build engagement and present robust recommendations. Use appropriate communication methods and know when to stand ground when needed.
• Management skills – ability to lead staff and work with teams to provide a timely, well organised, quality service to customers and other branches within the division, working at pace and to a high standard to deliver agreed goals and objectives.
• Ability to be able to deliver results at pace and to manage work against agreed timescales and management of competing priorities.
• Well-developed leadership and management skills.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, senior officials in DAERA and other stakeholders within Rural Policy.
• Ability to work on own initiative, delivering results and managing work in a complex, cross-cutting and fastmoving environment and subject to competing priorities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with experience of providing written reports to senior management, including preparing and inputting to briefings.
• The post-holder will be expected to work on their own initiative and provide a positive contribution to the overall success of the team/branch.
• A degree with a minimum of 12 months experience.

The post-holder will be expected to work on their own initiative and provide a positive contribution to the overall success of the team/branch.

Benefits: Hybrid (after training)

Start Date: ASAP

Expected Duration: 4th October 2026 with possibility of extension

Working Hours: 9am-5pm Monday-Friday

Main Duties include:

The main duties and responsibilities are:

• Support the Head of Branch and DP’s as lead on the implementation of DAERA’s duties under the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
• Enhancing the profile of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 including the implementation of the outcomes from the review of the Schedule to the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
• Progression of relevant primary & subordinate legislation through the NI Assembly.
• Contributing to the development of future rural policy including reviewing existing policies, identifying potential policy options and assessing these within the legislative context to progress the policy proposal relating to the review to the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with the rural needs co-ordinators, facilitating regular engagement and networking and events in relation to rural needs.
• Contributing to the development and administration of a digital solution to capture the Rural Needs Impact Assessment process in preparation of drafting the Annual Rural Needs Monitoring Report.
• Providing advice and guidance on the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016.
• Engaging with rural stakeholder groups, departmental solicitors’ office, other public authorities and jurisdictions on matters of rural needs.
• Preparing 1st drafts of submissions, briefings and responses in respect of Ministerial, Executive and AERA Committee correspondence, Assembly Questions etc.
• Undertaking line management responsibilities.
• Assisting with the general administration and management of the branch including in relation to budget, finance and corporate returns as required.
• The duties listed above are not exhaustive. However, they provide a good indication of the main duties of the post. The emphasis on particular duties may vary over time according to business needs and the post-holder may be required to carry out other duties consistent with the grade as allocated by management.

A criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.

The UK Recruitment Co. Ltd has policies on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders and the Secure Handling, Use, Storage, and Retention of Disclosure Information, copies of which can be made available upon request.

PLEASE READ THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS CAREFULLY BEFORE APPLYING. FEEL FREE TO SEND A STATEMENT WITH ANY RELEVANT EDUCATION OR EXPERIENCE TO HELP SUPPORT YOUR APPLICATION.

TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND YOUR CV AND EDUCATION PROOF TO: EMILY.BELL@THERECRUITMENTCO.UK