Policy Officer

This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-paced team. The NI Directorate is working to deliver multiple complex project requirements to tight timescales, with high-risk potential both politically/reputationally, and in terms of delivery to time, cost and quality requirements. This work plays a significant role in maintaining the UK’s positive relationship with the EU, and the social and political context of Northern Ireland.
The successful candidates will support the development of key policies that are critical to the delivery of the Windsor Framework. From policies that support the movement of pets between Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme, your work will contribute to Defra’s objective of Protecting the Union. You will likely be responsible for the development and delivery of a specific policy while being able to support on other policies areas as needed. Policy Officers in the Northern Ireland Directorate work closely with Service Design, Digital Delivery and Project Management teams, so you will have the benefit of working in a mixed profession environment and seeing your policy implemented. Working with colleagues across the various teams and divisions you will help develop a strong culture that is committed to learning and best practice under the Policy Profession Framework.
We can only achieve our purpose through the skill, dedication, and professionalism of our people. You deserve to feel valued, rewarded and connected to the work you do - so through our People Strategy, we’re committed to making DEFRA an inclusive environment that engages, motivates, and ensures a better place to work for everyone.
Responsibilities:
Support in the development of policy work.
Support in the identification of options for government action and develop policy or UK positions accordingly.
Work with a range of internal and external stakeholders to build a shared understanding of the policy and strategy issues.
Plan and prioritise effectively to deliver high quality results to time.
Use evidence and expertise from within and outside Government, to help guide decisions that develop and deliver policies or UK strategic positions.