• The post-holder is required to hold a degree and have a minimum of 12 months’ experience

• Research & Analysis – Ability to 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 draft 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.