Research Officer - Public Finance / Economics (52k)

Job Description

Research Officer (Public Finance / Economics)

Location: Belfast - Northern Ireland Assembly
Salary: £52,009 per annum
Working Pattern: Full-time - Hybrid working available
Contract: Temporary - Maternity Cover

About the Role

VANRATH are delighted to be recruiting on behalf of the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission for an experienced Research Officer (Public Finance / Economics) to join the Public Finance Scrutiny Unit (PFSU) within the Finance & Economics Research Team of RaISe (Research and Information Service).

This is a key role providing non-partisan, objective, and evidence-based research to support Assembly Members (MLAs), Committees, and senior officials. You will deliver accurate written and oral briefings, routinely published online, to inform and facilitate Assembly business.

Key Responsibilities

  • Engage with MLAs, Assembly Committees, and senior officials to understand research requirements.
  • Retrieve and synthesise information from a broad range of governmental and non-governmental sources.
  • Provide timely, accurate, and impartial research and analysis in Public Finance and Economics.
  • Produce high-quality written outputs, including customised research papers, legislative analysis, training materials, and blog posts.
  • Present research briefings to MLAs, Committees, and other stakeholders, including during public sessions.
  • Facilitate public events such as the Knowledge Exchange Seminar Series (KESS).
  • Develop links with government departments, research institutions, and other parliaments/assemblies.
  • Collaborate effectively with colleagues to meet RaISe and Assembly standards.
  • Identify opportunities for new research outputs and improved service delivery.
  • Adhere to all Assembly and RaISe-specific policies, including Equal Opportunities and Dignity at Work.


Essential Criteria

Applicants must, by the closing date:

  1. Hold at least a primary degree (minimum 2:1) or equivalent/higher qualification, with at least 50% of course content in Public Finance/Economics.Have at least 3 years' post-qualification experience in both:
  2. a) Undertaking objective, non-partisan, evidence-based research drawing on a wide variety of reliable sources (governmental and non-governmental).

b) Writing and presenting research reports/papers that informed policy development discussions and decisions.


For more information, please contact Ethan Boylan today.

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