At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and represent the Union's views.
- Company: Join the Ulster Farmers Union, a key player in Northern Ireland's agri-food sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, competitive salary, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on agricultural policies and engage with industry leaders.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 38180 - 38180 £ per year.
Location: Antrim Road, Belfast
Contract Type: full-time, permanent
Starting salary: £38,180 p.a.
Closing Date: Friday 19th June 2026
About the Role: The Ulster Farmers Union is seeking to recruit a Policy Officer primarily based out of our Head Office in Belfast. This will be a challenging and wide-ranging job working as part of the UFU Policy Team. Full access to a car is essential, as you will need to attend meetings that will occasionally take place during evenings or weekends.
The job involves assisting with:
- Policy Development & Analysis
- Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
- The servicing of Union Policy Committees
- Representing the views of the Union across a range of media
- The lobbying process
- Collaborating with other teams in the organisation to support the wider UFU priorities
The ideal candidate should have the following skills and experience:
- Have a degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline such as policy, economics, agriculture, politics, communications or related field
- Have a good knowledge of or interest in Northern Ireland Agriculture, rural affairs or food systems
- Have good communication skills including briefing and report writing
- Have experience with either; policy development/research and/or stakeholder engagement and/or communications/advocacy work and/or public affairs/political processes
- Be computer literate
- Hold a driving licence and have full access to a car
What you'll gain:
- Exposure to high-profile policy issues affecting the agri-food sector.
- Direct engagement with decision-makers, industry leaders and key stakeholders.
- Opportunities to develop expertise across a broad and evolving policy portfolio.
- A dynamic working environment with significant scope for professional growth and development.
Benefits include: 25 days annual leave exclusive of public holidays.
Policy Officer JBLE1_NI in Belfast employer: Ulster Farmers Union
The Ulster Farmers Union is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Belfast where you can engage with high-profile policy issues and key stakeholders in the agri-food sector. With a strong focus on professional growth, employees benefit from 25 days of annual leave, opportunities for skill development, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in rural affairs and food systems.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Policy Officer JBLE1_NI in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at the Ulster Farmers Union. Building relationships can give us insider info and might even lead to a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its policies. We should be ready to discuss how our skills align with their needs, especially in policy development and stakeholder engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our communication skills! Whether it’s through a presentation or during an interview, we need to demonstrate our ability to convey complex ideas clearly, just like we would in briefing and report writing.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our application status easily.
We think you need these skills to ace Policy Officer JBLE1_NI in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Policy Officer role. Highlight your relevant experience in policy development, stakeholder engagement, and any knowledge you have about Northern Ireland's agriculture sector. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since good communication is key for this role, don’t forget to demonstrate your briefing and report writing abilities. Use clear and concise language in your application to reflect your skills. We love a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you've got experience in public affairs, advocacy work, or any related fields, make sure to mention it! We’re keen on candidates who can bring their expertise to our team, so don’t hold back on showcasing your achievements in these areas.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ulster Farmers Union
✨Know Your Policy Stuff
Make sure you brush up on current policy issues affecting Northern Ireland's agriculture and food systems. Familiarise yourself with recent developments and be ready to discuss how they impact the sector. This shows your genuine interest and helps you stand out.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement and representation, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully communicated complex ideas or engaged with diverse groups. This will demonstrate your capability in this area.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations related to policy development or stakeholder engagement. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and prepare structured responses that highlight your problem-solving skills and adaptability.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
The job requires working closely with other teams, so be prepared to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you've worked with others to achieve common goals, and emphasise your ability to support wider organisational priorities.
