Research & Communications Policy Officer, Patrick Finucane Inquiry

**General Information**:

- Salary
- E41,463 - £45,276
- Working Pattern
- Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
- Vacancy Approach
- External
- Location
- Belfast
- Region
- Northern Ireland
- Closing Date
- 13-Aug-2025
- Post Type
- Fixed Term, Loan
- Civil Service Grade
- SEO
- Number of jobs available
- 1
- Reserve List
- 12 Months
- Job ID
- 8315

**Descriptions & requirements**:

- Job description

**BACKGROUND**

The Northern Ireland Office supports the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in promoting the best interests of Northern Ireland. We make sure that Northern Ireland interests are represented within the UK Government and that UK government responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Northern Ireland. We are the centre of expertise on Northern Ireland issues across Government.

The Northern Ireland Office employs around 170 staff, with offices in Belfast and London. As a small Department, we adopt a flexible project-based approach to ensure that we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right place to support the delivery of our key objectives.

Due to our structure and size, we are able to offer extensive exposure to Ministers and the opportunity to work on a far wider portfolio of policy and responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department. This creates an interesting and stimulating work environment.

Our key priorities are set out in our Operational Delivery plan and include:

- Supporting greater inclusion, tolerance and openness in Northern Ireland
- Contributing to a safer Northern Ireland, w terrorist and paramilitary groups are less able to cause harm to communities
- Ensuring that governance in Northern Ireland is responsive, transparent and able to deliver effective public service.
- Addressing the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland

For more information about what we do:
**ABOUT THE ROLE & TEAM**:
On 11th September 2024, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland announced that he would establish an independent statutory inquiry into the murder of Mr Patrick Finucane on 12th February 1989. The Inquiry is being established under the Inquiries Act 2005 to enable the Government to discharge its obligations under Article 2 of the ECHR in line with the 2019 Supreme Court judgment and the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal judgment in July 2024. The inquiry will build upon the previous reviews and investigations which have already been conducted into this case, take specific account of the materials and information provided to and generated by them, and avoid unnecessary duplication of investigation.

The Chair of the Inquiry (once appointed) will be supported by a small secretariat, providing administrative and policy support to the Chair and other office holders.

The Inquiry is at the very early stages and this role offers an opportunity to help contribute to making a real impact on the future direction of the Inquiry. As a member of a small team, you will have a varied role on a high-profile topic, working with a diverse group of stakeholders. Research and communications are pivotal to the success of the Inquiry. It’s an exciting time to be part of a growing and energetic team with lots of potential for development and growth within this role.

**DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:
The Patrick Finucane Inquiry team is recruiting a SEO Senior Adviser, based in the Inquiry’s Belfast office, to assist with the provision of research and communications advice. The role will include managing multiple tasks at pace across the secretariat.

The role-holder will also work flexibly across the wider secretariat team, working directly to the Head of Research & Communications and providing support to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary and taking responsibility for a range of daily issues and tasks while assisting in the development and implementation of the Secretariat’s policies and communication strategies.

The key responsibilities of the role are:

- Providing direct support to the Head of Research & Communications;
- Providing support to the wider secretariat team;
- Assisting with research and policy development in relation to the Inquiry and Terms of Reference;
- Assisting with the delivery of policy and communication strategies;
- Leading the Inquiry’s online presence, for instance, maintaining website content and managing social media activity;
- Monitoring mainstream and social media for Inquiry related content; Assisting with arrangements for identification of witnesses and other key stakeholders; and working
- ly with the Operations Team to support attendance at hearings;
- Monitoring correspondence and producing draft responses.

**ESSENTIAL CRITERIA**:

- Ability to build and maintain strong and credible relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
- Strong prioritisation, communication and influencing skills.
- Experience of producing high quality, written briefing for senior management teams,
- Experience