Research Officer in Belfast

Apple Recruitment are recruiting for a Research Officer on behalf of the NI Assembly. This role will be for up to 12 months. Hourly rate based on £54,090 p.a.

The main duties and responsibilities are to:

• Develop and deliver analytical reports, briefings and information, including cross-jurisdictional comparisons, to support the business of the Northern Ireland Assembly – its Members, Committees, the Assembly Commission, senior management and wider colleagues.
• Deliver oral briefings to Members, Committees and wider colleagues, including in public and private session, and respond to Members’ questions.
• Engage with individual MLAs, Assembly Committees, Officials and wider stakeholders to understand, scope and fulfil their research and information needs and facilitate Assembly business.
• Retrieve research, information and data from a wide range of sources, distilling and reporting on public policy, legislative, public finance and wider matters relevant to your allocated subject area(s).
• Effectively communicate by producing written, visual and online outputs, and delivering oral presentations, in a timely, relevant, robust, non-partisan, concise and accessible manner.
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of research, public policy, legislation, public finance and wider matters relevant to your allocated subject area(s).
• Proactively develop links and engage with research bodies/communities, government officials, other parliamentary library and research services, and wider relevant stakeholders.
• Engage collegiately in knowledge exchange and skills transfer, including through continuous development, quality assurance and peer review processes; delivering and facilitating events, seminars and workshops; and supporting colleagues and interns.
• Always work proactively and collaboratively, while assuming personal responsibility for, and delivering on, agreed objectives, goals and standards in a manner that gives full effect to the Corporate Strategy and Values of the Assembly Commission.
• Contribute positively to the continuous development of Raise and the Assembly Commission, improving service delivery, ways of working and outputs.
• Comply with the Assembly’s Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work policies and procedures.
• Carry out any other duties that the Assembly Commission reasonably requires of you.

Essential Criteria:

• Applicants must, by the closing date for applications have: An honours degree (of minimum 2:1 classification) or a degree of an equivalent or higher standard, which has substantive relevance to the subject area of the post applied for; AND/OR which includes modules of study in socio-economic research, or in the analysis of legislation or public policy or public finance. Applicants MUST demonstrate the relevance of their qualification(s), for example by direct reference to the completion of specific and relevant modules of study.
• At least three years of work experience with substantive delivery spanning both a) and b) below in the subject area of the specific post applied for: a) Development and delivery of objective, evidence-based, analyses, including cross-jurisdictional comparisons, drawing on a wide range of sources, to analyse public policy and/or legislation and/or public finance; AND b) writing and presenting objective, evidence-based reports/briefings and wider outputs to inform decision making and lay understanding relating to the development of public policy and/or legislation and/or public finance. Applicants MUST demonstrate the relevance of their experience to the subject area of the specific post applied for.

This post sits within the communities, infrastructure and environment team. This post is for a culture, heritage and sport specialist, covering areas such as the arts sector, libraries, sport, heritage and cultural rights, as well as regional and minority languages.

Further Details:

• Hourly Rate based on £54,090
• Duration: 12 months
• This role is due to start April 13th 2026
• This business area offers hybrid working
• Closing date for CV submission to Apple: 16th February 2026 @ 10am

If you wish to apply or would like more information, please email your CV in Microsoft word format to Apple Recruitment by 16th February 2026 @ 10am. Applicants must ensure their CV is accurate and up to date. The CV should include your full employment history inclusive of dates, all academic achievements and full personal contact details. Please note only applicants that match this criteria can be considered for the role.