About Us

Our Vision

Our vision is to maintain and enhance Northern Ireland’s constitutional position within the United Kingdom, achieving long-term political stability to deliver a peaceful and prosperous future for our people.

We want the hard won peace and stability to build a prosperity that flows to each district, community and family. We want to normalise our institutions and political arrangements to demonstrate that democratic standards apply and fairness and equality of opportunity is the right of all.

The DUP wants to strengthen our relationship within the United Kingdom. Our representatives in Westminster dedicate themselves to involvement in the affairs of the Nation and in partnership with their Stormont colleagues maximise Northern Ireland’s contribution to the United Kingdom. We will work to increase the respect and status of our region within the Union.

Beyond our borders the DUP wants Northern Ireland to have a global reputation as a place welcoming to all and thriving. We want Northern Ireland to be regarded as a location where a dedicated, committed and skilled workforce can be found. We want the natural beauty and the friendly character of our people to be promoted to make Northern Ireland “the place to visit”. We want the name of Northern Ireland to be synonymous with progress.

Who We Are

The DUP has representation at every level: in Local Councils, Assembly and Westminster. The Party's interim leader is Gavin Robinson MP.

Timeline

A history of the Democratic Unionist Party from its formation in 1971 until the present day.

Schedule

Current Vacancies

Opportunities for employment within the Democratic Unionist Party will be listed here.

• Press and Digital Media Officer

  
  • (2-year Fixed Contract subject to satisfactory probation period)

  Based in Belfast this is a significant opportunity for a dynamic person to support the work of members of the Democratic Unionist Party at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Reporting to the Chief Executive and working alongside our media team the Press and Digital Media Officer will play a significant role in supporting the work of our members of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  The Role

  The successful candidate will:

  - Contribute ideas towards media strategies across all platforms.

  - Work with our elected representatives in the Northern Ireland Assembly as well as journalists and broadcast outlets to secure coverage of the work of DUP MLAs.

  - Securing media coverage for stories, press conferences, visits and events.

  - Setting up interviews and photo opportunities.

  - Briefing journalists.

  - Writing press releases and other copy including articles as required.

  - Working with policy and research teams.

  - Taking part in weekend and out of hours media duty.

  - Creating digital material including images, video and graphics.

  - Writing engaging copy for target audiences.

  - Creating and editing channel-specific digital content.

  - Undertaking any other reasonable tasks as required.

  Working Hours

  Working hours will be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Additional evening and weekend work will be required on a rota basis.

  The Person

  The successful candidate will be a proven communicator with a good sense of political awareness, recent experience of delivering a media strategy, and be able to demonstrate previous experience in developing and establishing collaborative relationships both inside and outside the political arena.

  They will have a personal drive for results, have demonstrable organisational skills, and be motivated and energetic in the pursuit of outcomes. The candidate will have a third level qualification, or significant relevant experience (five years plus) in politics/public relations/communications or a related discipline.

  An interest in political affairs is necessary as well as an up to date understanding of local and national political issues and particularly the workings of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following:

  - Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

  - Good IT skills including the use and understanding of Web Content Management Systems.

  - Experience of delivering a media strategy, including digital media output.

  - Experience of writing press releases, articles, blogs and briefs.

  - Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with a range of audiences.

  - Confidence and demonstrable experience dealing with senior politicians and the media.

  - Strong political awareness and an understanding of the workings of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  - Experience of organising and running press conferences, media opportunities and photo opportunities.

  - Experience of briefing journalists and acting as a spokesperson.

  - Ability to manage a diverse workload independently.

  - Ability to, and previously experience of, managing and delivering on the ground events for public exposure.

  - Knowledge and understanding of the aims and ethos of the Democratic Unionist Party.

  - Ability to work enthusiastically and co-operatively as part of a team.

  - Flexibility and adaptability to changing workloads, with a problem-solving approach.

  - Tact, discretion and respect for confidentiality

  - Excellent organisational and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritise tasks and work under pressure with attention to detail.

  
  Job Information

  Salary: Negotiable depending on experience
  Closing Date: 26/04/2024 at 5:00pm
  

  How to Apply

  If you wish to apply for this job, please apply email your CV and a covering letter setting out why you believe you meet the criteria for the job to DUP Chief Executive, Timothy Johnston at [email protected]
  
  Depending on the number of applicants the party reserves the right to
  short-list for interview on the basis of the person specification and
  criteria set out above.

• Research and Policy Development Officer(s)

  

  (2-year Fixed Contract subject to satisfactory probation period)

  The Party is seeking expressions of interest from interested candidates for the above position. Depending on the outcome of the Party’s policy budget funding allocation it may be possible that two positions require to be filled.

  Based in Belfast and reporting to the Chief Executive you will join the Policy Development and Research teams in providing policy options and working to bring forward new policy development ideas which may become party policy.

  
  

  The Role

  The successful candidate will be responsible for:

  - Production of policy and briefing matters for elected representatives of the Party and delivering papers and initiatives through the required stages of policy development within the party as necessary and/or directed.

  - Provision of research and policy input, including policy papers/reports, lines to take on policy, draft speech preparation, policy development briefing material, written questions and information gathering and fact checking.

  - Working with and consulting party members, through policy forums, branches, associations and other party platforms for the development and completion of party policies.

  - Working alongside party spokespersons in the formulation and development of party policy and presenting papers and ideas to various forums as from time to time may be required.

  - Developing and maintaining relationships with key external stakeholders to include attendance at meetings with external groups as necessary.

  - Input into the yearly policy plans and work plans to take account of research and policy development needs across the organisation.

  - Assisting in the planning and execution of specific policy events and meetings including the Spring and Annual Conference.

  - Cataloguing relevant policy material.

  - Keeping relevant written records for policy development purposes.

  - Other administrative duties associated with the role.

  Working Hours

  Working hours will be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Additional evening and weekend work may be required from time to time.

  The Person

  The successful candidate will write with attention to detail and will have a good sense of political awareness, recent experience of delivering policy and research outputs, and be able to demonstrate previous experience in developing and establishing collaborative relationships both inside and outside the political arena.

  They will have a personal drive for, and interest in public policy, have demonstrable organisational skills, and be motivated and energetic in the pursuit of outcomes. The candidate will have a third level qualification, or significant relevant experience (two years plus) in politics/policy/political research or a related discipline.

  An interest in political affairs is necessary as well as an up to date understanding of local and national political issues and developing policy proposals that meet the needs of Northern Ireland.

  The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following:

  - Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

  - A strong track-record of producing policy reports and research briefs with a particular focus on current public policy challenges

  - Good IT skills including the use of MS Word and Excel.

  - Experience of writing and presenting reports, policy proposals and briefing material drawn from well researched background work.

  - Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders.

  - Confidence and demonstrable experience dealing with senior politicians and external groups.

  - Strong political awareness and an understanding of the workings of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Parliament.

  - Ability to manage a diverse workload independently.

  - Knowledge and understanding of the aims, ethos, and current policy positions of the Democratic Unionist Party.

  - Ability to work enthusiastically and co-operatively as part of a team.

  - Flexibility and adaptability to changing workloads, with a problem-solving approach.

  - Tact, discretion and respect for confidentiality.

  - Excellent organisational and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritise tasks and work under pressure with attention to detail.

  
  Salary: Negotiable depending on experience
  

  Application Details

  To apply, please email your CV and a covering letter setting out why you believe you meet the criteria for the job to DUP Chief Executive, Timothy Johnston at [email protected] by 5pm on Friday 26^th April 2024.

  Depending on the number of applicants the party reserves the right to short-list for interview on the basis of the person specification and criteria set out above.