Policy & Advocacy Officer (All-Ireland)

The Rivers Trust is a leading environmental charity and the umbrella body of The Rivers Trust movement, comprising over 60 independent local charities. Our vision is for wild, healthy, natural rivers, valued by all. We are at a critical point in our history as we expand to deliver projects to protect and replenish this critical part of the natural environment, and our research and expertise is now needed more urgently than ever as water supply and quality move up the public agenda.

Role summary

We are looking for a Policy & Advocacy Officer to support our work on the island of Ireland and be part of the wider Communication & Advocacy team at The Rivers Trust. This post is funded by the Ofwat Innovation Fund as part of the Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions programme. The Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions programme is a partnership of over 23 partners, find out more here Home – Mainstreaming Nature-Based Solutions.

This role offers a rare opportunity to deliver on freshwater policy and advocacy on an All-Ireland basis, where governance of our water environment is intertwined in overlapping spheres of domestic, cross-border and international structures, influenced by decision makers and legislatures in Belfast, Dublin, London and Brussels. The role will play a crucial part in our position as a strong voice for our rivers, support our work on political influence, policy development and stakeholder management, particularly within Stormont and the Oireachtas, and work on issues relevant to river health, climate adaptation, planning, land use, agriculture, pollution and nature’s recovery.

This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the fastest growing environmental charities on the island of Ireland, and to contribute to making a real and meaningful positive difference towards Ireland’s water, biodiversity and climate crises.

You will be part of a welcoming, dynamic and growing Communications & Advocacy team which works across the UK and Ireland, collaborating with our Advocacy & Parliamentary Affairs Officer in Great Britain. The role will also involve working with external policy and advocacy stakeholders in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

In addition, the first six to nine months of this role will include a unique opportunity for embedded working with Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) (2.5 days per week), delivering on its freshwater policy programme, supporting its ‘Step up for Clean Water Campaign’ and coordinating the Northern Ireland Freshwater Taskforce – a collation of environmental NGOs in Northern Ireland and the Sustainable Water Network Ireland (SWAN). This period of embedded working provides maternity cover for NIEL’s Freshwater Lead, whilst providing an inviable opportunity to build deep connections with policy makers and NGO leaders. At the conclusion of this period the role will revert to working full-time with The Rivers Trust whilst maintaining and building on the strong connections established whilst embedded with NIEL.

This is a full-time role, home-based, and fixed term position (2 years, with the possibility of future extension subject to funding). Ideally you would be located within easy commuting distance (2hrs) of both Belfast and Dublin. The role will require travel to Belfast and Dublin and further afield from time-to-time to meetings and conferences, across the island of Ireland, Great Britain, and occasionally in Europe.

The main duties and responsibilities are:

• Policy Monitoring & Analysis: Maintain an up-to-date understanding of water, land use and climate policy, legislation and planning in NI and Ireland. Track new government consultations, regulations and strategic plans, summarising their implications for freshwater health and identifying opportunities for Trust engagement.
• Consultation Responses: Draft and lead evidence-based responses to formal consultations from government departments and agencies in both NI and Ireland. This includes critiquing proposals and advocating for strong water quality measures. Ensure all submissions align with The Rivers Trust’s values of being factual, non-partisan and community oriented.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Map and maintain relationships with key policy stakeholders across sectors (government, NGOs, academia, industry and farming groups). Convene and participate in multi-party policy and advocacy forums, joint submissions, and steering groups to build coalitions on shared water issues. Identify and coordinate with local Rivers Trusts to present a united front on major topics.
• Policy Events and Outreach: Plan and support events and meetings that elevate policy discussions. Support the All-Ireland Director and Deputy Director in preparation for high-profile policy meetings and events (such as conferences or Ministerial roundtables). Assist in organising project-related events that contribute to policy development and/or involved decision makers.
• Issue Advocacy: Proactively address urgent freshwater challenges on the island of Ireland (e.g. Lough Neagh algal blooms, nitrates in water, sewage spills) by developing advocacy strategies. Collaborate with the All-Ireland Communications Officer in drafting media statements and content, raising issues with regulators, or proposing community campaigns. Articulate The Rivers Trust’s positions on contentious subjects, advocating for science-led solutions and cross-agency and cross-border cooperation where appropriate.
• Campaigning: Work closely with Comms colleagues to support the delivery of campaign actions, digital activity and events, drafting articles, blogs and campaigning materials. Including, mechanisms for the public to engage with MLA’s and MPs in Northern Ireland and TD’s and MEP’s in Ireland on key issues of relevance to improving the state of our rivers.
• Internal Coordination: Work closely with the All-Ireland Director, The Rivers Trust’s Advocacy Lead, and project teams to integrate technical insights into advocacy outputs. Provide colleagues with concise templates and “lines to take” for policy submissions. Liaise with the All-Ireland Communications Officer to ensure alignment between policy asks and media narratives. Keep the team informed of advocacy outcomes and emerging consultation deadlines through regular updates.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain the “evidence base” of the Trust’s advocacy (state-of-rivers data, case studies, position papers). Keep up to date the stakeholder network map and policy issue trackers. Ensure records of submissions, briefings and meeting minutes are organised for future reference and accountability. Highlight success stories where the Trust’s input influenced policy to demonstrate impact.

Knowledge, skills, experience, and personal qualities

Essential

• Relevant higher-level degree (i.e BA/BSc or MA/MSc) in a relevant discipline (e.g. Environmental Policy, Law, or Governance, Political Science, Public Affairs, or International Relations, Environmental Science, Ecology, or Conservation with a policy focus, Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development, or Natural Resource Management) AND 2-year relevant applied work experience OR At least 4 years’ relevant career experience (e.g. in policy and advocacy in the eNGO sector).
• Proven experience in a similar policy and/or advocacy role.
• Strong analytical skills: Ability to monitor, interpret and summarise Stormont and Oireachtas activity, legislation, select committee reports, debates, and inquiries.
• Understanding of Parliamentary Processes: A solid grasp of law-making, parliamentary procedures, and the legislative landscape in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, with awareness of Westminster and Brussels practices.
• Ability to develop and implement comprehensive advocacy plans.
• Strong understanding of environmental policy and governance in both Northern Ireland and Ireland.
• Experience with policy analysis, research or government affairs, preferably in the conservation, agriculture or water sectors. Proven ability to interpret complex legislation and extract implications for organisational strategy.
• Excellent written communication and synthesis skills: able to draft clear, well-structured consultation responses, briefing notes and reports. High attention to detail in citing evidence and data.
• Effective networking and negotiation skills: comfortable liaising with government officials, statutory agencies and non-governmental coalitions. Capable of representing The Rivers Trust in technical committees or advisory bodies and building consensus.
• Strong oral communication and influencing skills: able to present The Rivers Trust’s perspective at stakeholder events, public meetings or in interviews, and to brief internal senior leaders for parliamentary engagements.
• Familiarity with advocacy tools and techniques (e.g. public comment processes, stakeholder mapping).
• Comfortable working under tight deadlines, including rapid response situations.
• Self-starter, with proven ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams while working remotely.
• Be committed to working as part of a team.
• Must be proficient in using computers (Microsoft Office e.g. Teams, Outlook, Word etc; We also communicate by Slack but familiarity with this isn’t a requirement)
• The ability to work on occasional evenings, weekends, and overnight stays when necessary (e.g. to attend events and conferences or visit key stakeholders on-site).
• Access to own car, insured for business use, with a full driver’s license.

Desirable

You do not have to meet all or any of the desirable criteria to apply for this role, but if you do have experience, skills or knowledge in any of the following areas, please highlight these in your CV and/or your cover letter for consideration as part of the shortlisting process.

• First-hand knowledge of freshwater science or catchment management (e.g. degrees or work in ecology, hydrology, agriculture, environmental science). Understanding of issues like nutrient pollution, biodiversity loss and climate impacts on water systems.
• Competence in policy-relevant communications: e.g. drafting executive summaries, policy briefs or infographics for decision-makers. Experience with community consultation or public participation techniques.
• Event facilitation or training background (e.g. organising community workshops, running stakeholder dialogues).
• Familiarity with relevant IT tools (e.g. data analysis software, GIS for mapping catchments, stakeholder CRM systems).

Everyone who works for us is expected to contribute to a respectful and inclusive working culture and follow our policies and procedures including Health & Safety, EDI, Cybersecurity and GDPR.

Benefits

• 9% employer pension contribution (or local equivalent)
• 25 days annual leave (rising with service) plus statutory public holidays
• Flexible working and hybrid working opportunities, including the option of a 9-day fortnight
• Access to training and professional development
• Supportive and inclusive working culture
• Flexible Working: All our roles are home-based, some are remote and all offer flexible and agile working options.
• Pension: 6% employee contribution, 9% employer contribution.
• Health and Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme.
• Life Assurance: 3 x annual salary (when eligibility criteria met).
• Annual Leave: 25 days increasing with length of service to 28 days after 5 years and the ability to purchase additional leave.
• Family Friendly: Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Pay.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are particularly keen to improve the diversity of our Trust. As part of our commitment to positive action under the Equality Act 2010/ Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015, we strongly encourage applications from people from ethnically diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible to everyone. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the application or interview process, please let us know — we will be happy to support you.

Closing date: Friday 21st August at 12noon.

Please apply early; we may close the vacancy once we have enough suitable candidates.