Senior Policy Advisor - Northern Ireland in Belfast

About the CBI

Founded 60 years ago and representing some of the biggest names in business, household brands and globally traded corporations that employ people in all sectors and across every region and nation of the UK, the CBI is the voice of business. The CBI represents 850 members who themselves comprise 1,100 separate registered companies and 150,000 trade association members. The CBI in Northern Ireland represents hundreds of local businesses (large, medium and small) across a full range of sectors. This includes indigenous companies in Northern Ireland, as well as those headquartered in other parts of the UK that have operations locally. The CBI is committed to ensuring a safe, supportive and inclusive people centric culture where our people can excel to achieve their full potential and be their best authentic selves in an environment where ethical values and respectful behaviours are at the very heart of who we are in our everyday interactions.

Role Summary

This role would suit an enthusiastic and motivated policy professional, with excellent expertise with regards to the policy environment in Northern Ireland and how this interacts with UK-wide policy as well as cross-border policy and trade with the Republic of Ireland and the wider EU. You will have a passion for the role that business plays in supporting the Northern Irish economy and an eagerness to learn and develop. You will work closely with the team in CBI Northern Ireland, the CBI UK team, as well as other key internal and external stakeholders including Ibec. In your role you will help to influence and develop policy positions that will support our mission of promoting sustainable economic growth both specifically in Northern Ireland and across the UK.

To maximise our impact, we have established three principles to guide how the CBI will work with members:

• Be transparent in our decision-making, including the campaigns we choose to focus on, areas we submit policy consultation responses to, or issues we speak out on.
• Be democratic in defining our positions, through how we gather member insights, feedback and consult. We will ensure all members have opportunities to have their voice heard and know the impact that their engagement has had.
• Be evidence-led in our work, ensuring our advocacy is rigorous, factual and plays to our analytical strengths.

Our priorities are focused, relevant to all parts of the business ecosystem, and driven by the insights members shared with us about the big missions facing the NI economy in the journey to deliver lasting, sustainable growth. Those missions are:

• How to lead the global race to net zero?
• How to respond to the changing nature of the future of work and skills?
• How to manage the transformation being driven by the technological & innovation revolution?
• How to lead the development and implementation of innovative policies that drive NI towards a sustainable, inclusive, and competitive future.

Ensuring our commitment that Northern Ireland's unique needs and opportunities are fully integrated into our national strategies. For each of these missions, the CBI will run a programme of work: engaging and inspiring members, identifying key enabling actions required by the government and building the policy position to support those. In your role, you will need to understand how to apply these missions both in the devolved context in Northern Ireland and the policy interaction with UK-wide government. This role is pay band 5.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with businesses to develop the CBI's policy positions: Demonstrating a strong grasp of the key policy challenges facing businesses and in particular the impact on those operating in Northern Ireland.
• Working with CBI members to continually develop policy positions, including managing competing business and commercial interests to produce messages with broad support.
• Working on discrete projects (e.g. policy briefs, reports, and consultation responses), using project management skills to track progress, manage risk and measure success.
• Drafting and presenting papers for senior-level boards and committees.
• Maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders: Build and maintain productive relationships with external contacts including relevant officials within UK, NI and RoI governments, MLAs, MPs and wider business and non-governmental stakeholders with an interest in the policy area.
• Work effectively with businesses and colleagues across the CBI: Engage effectively and collaboratively with senior representatives from the business community and colleagues across the CBI.

Knowledge & Experience

What an individual must know or understand to be able to fulfil the role's requirements:

• Knowledge of the policymaking process in UK/NI government, both at devolved and Westminster levels.
• Knowledge of policymaking in the Republic of Ireland would also be advantageous.
• Demonstrable interest in politics and public policy.
• Familiarity with the workings of business and commercial pressures.

To apply for this position, please submit a CV and covering letter by clicking 'Apply' below by the 6th of August, 16:00. The subject line must include the job title and NIJobs.