Senior Policy and Research Officer (Northern Ireland)

Mencap is the leading voice of learning disability. Everything we do is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our friendly Communications and Influencing team in Belfast. Mencap wants to change peoples’ attitudes to learning disability, and this post holder is critical to making this happen.

• Write policy briefing papers and communication materials
• Represent Mencap at external policy meetings and events
• Initiate and deliver successful campaigns
• Support research and evaluation projects
• Actively involve people with a learning disability in our campaigns and influencing

Candidate:

The ideal candidate for this position will be part of Policy, Research and Campaigns within the Marketing, Communications and Influencing team in Northern Ireland. They will work closely with colleagues across Mencap to deliver influencing activities in line with the organisation’s strategic priorities. In doing so they will support people with a learning disability, their families and local groups in policy and campaigns activities and influence political representatives and decision-makers. Due to the area covered, applicants are required to either drive or have access to transport. Ability to work flexible hours in accordance with the needs of the post. This will include occasional weekend work and overnight stays.

Key Skills and Experiences:

• Professional credibility, creativity and innovation.
• Effective interpersonal, negotiation and co-ordination skills.
• Building positive external and internal relationships. Advocacy and networking.
• Effective data analysis and management.
• Understanding of UK and NI political system, and decision makers at a Northern Ireland and local level.

As well as knowing that what we do is making a positive difference to people’s lives, you will receive fair pay and have access to a wide range of rewards and benefits as one of our employees.

• 32 days holiday (including bank holidays) increasing to 35 days with long service plus the ability to buy up to another 10 days via our HolidayPlus scheme
• Service related sick pay when 6 month probation is completed
• Eligibility to join Mencap Pension Plan where Mencap matches contributions up to 5% on a salary sacrifice basis meaning NI savings. If you don’t join the Plan you start, you will be auto-enrolled after three months with us.
• Membership of Mencap Pension Plan to include up to 3 times salary death in service live cover AND Income Protection of 50% salary to be triggered at 26 weeks of long term sickness
• Loans for debt consolidation,bikes, computers and phones when you have been with us for 6 months
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback from 3% to 30% at high street shops including major super markets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via Mencap Extras
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc.
• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
• Quarterly award scheme and recognition at every 5 years through our YouRock program
• Access to award winning training and development

• T&C's apply based on contract

We work in partnership with people with a learning disability, and all our services support people to live life as they choose. Everyone wants a purposeful job - to do something meaningful. At Mencap, we can give you that. You will have opportunities to develop as a person, colleague, leader and activist. We want to make you feel inspired to reach your potential.

Our work includes;

• providing high-quality, flexible services that allow people to live as independently as possible in a place they choose
• providing advice through our help lines and web sites