Research Officer; Data, Policy & Analysis Focus

Research Officer (Data, Policy & Analysis Focus)

Location:

Belfast
Salary: £37,694 per annum

Contract:

Temporary until 31st March 2026

Hours:

37 hours per week | Office-based

VANRATH are working with a respected public‑sector organisation to recruit a Research Officer to support data‑driven research and analysis within a policy and legislative environment. This role will suit candidates with strong research and analytical capability who are comfortable working with data to inform policy development and decision‑making
.

The successful candidate will contribute to a programme of analytical and policy‑related research, using data and evidence to support organisational priorities. Key responsibilities will include:

• Undertaking quantitative and qualitative research to inform policy development
• Analysing datasets using appropriate research and statistical methods
• Supporting data collection, cleaning, coding and interpretation
• Producing clear, evidence‑based reports, briefings and summaries of findings
• Presenting research outputs in accessible formats for policy and non‑technical audiences
• Supporting the development of policy recommendations grounded in research evidence
• Monitoring and tracking relevant policy and legislative developments (NI, Westminster and EU)
• Supporting work with internal teams and external stakeholders on research and policy activity
• Maintaining accurate records and audit trails in line with data protection and governance requirements

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

• A qualification in research, data analysis, statistics, psychology, social sciences, law, public policy or a related discipline
• Practical experience in research and data analysis, including quantitative and/or qualitative methods
• Confidence working with data, statistics and research outputs to inform decision‑making
• Experience producing reports, briefings or publications based on analytical findings
• An understanding of public policy environments and legislative processes
• Interest in policy development, law reform, equality, social policy or human rights
• Knowledge of, or ability to work with, NI, Westminster or EU policy and legislative frameworks
• Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail and organisational skills
• A collaborative, curious and proactive approach

Experience with in the public sector, academia, regulatory bodies or policy‑focused organisations would be advantageous.

• Salary of £37,694
• Temporary contract until 31st March 2026
• 37‑hour working week
• Opportunity to work at the intersection of data, research and policy within a well‑regarded organisation.

For more information, please contact Ethan Boylan today.