Agent in Agency for Northern Ireland
- Bank of England
- Northern Ireland
- Jun 30, 2026
Job Description
Location: Belfast
The Agencies are the 'eyes, ears and voice' of the Bank in their respective parts of the United Kingdom. Agents gather economic intelligence through their conversations with their network of UK businesses, and they analyse and summarise it to contribute to the Monetary Policy Committee's (MPC) and the Financial Policy Committee's (FPC) assessment of the economic and financial environment.
Agents talk to senior contacts from a wide range of organisations - from small businesses to large global companies - across all sectors of the economy, to gain an insight into how businesses are operating and their future plans. This provides a unique perspective into how the real economy is evolving and the factors driving those developments.
The Agents also communicate policymakers' key messages supporting their decisions to business contacts and other local audiences across the UK. This includes regular presentations on the Monetary Policy Report and related interest rate decision and Financial Stability Report to support a widespread understanding and trust of the monetary and financial policy framework and process.
Agents also coordinate interactions and host meetings between policymakers and their local contacts, so that they can hear the views of businesses and communities first-hand.
Agents at the Bank of England lead on these activities in their regions. They also fulfil either a Technical or Managing Agent lead role:
Technical Agents lead on an 'area of expertise' alongside a team of Agency experts. They are subject-matter experts, for example, driving the Agency Network's economic narrative in specific areas, how it squares with other data and staff views, and influencing and being fully integrated within the Monetary Analysis Directorate, other parts of the Bank, and ultimately our policy committees.
Managing Agents manage one of our four 3-Agency teams - in this case our Devolved Nations Team comprising the Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales Agencies. The Managing Agent for the Devolved Nations Team, which we currently have a vacancy for, directly line manages 4 Scale E Agents and the Team's Senior Administrator, and is responsible for the successful running of the Team.
Job description
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to become the Scale D Agent for Northern Ireland.
The successful candidate will lead the Bank's external engagement with businesses within Northern Ireland, gathering intelligence in contact visits and round tables and carrying out representational functions.
The successful candidate will either be the Managing Agent of the Devolved Nations Team or a Technical Agent, with the responsibilities set out above.
In either case, the jobholder will play a key role in the senior management/governance of the Agency Network, by being part of the Agency Services Management Team, which focuses on intelligence collection, data strategy, policy impact and external engagement and communications or the Agency Operational Management team, which focuses on staffing matters and people strategy.
Role requirements
Location: Lives in Northern Ireland or very close to it (within 10 miles of the border) as local presence, visibility, representation and local knowledge are core elements of the role. The Agency office is in Belfast.
For internal candidates interested in moving to Northern Ireland for this role, we would be happy to discuss how the Bank would support that through our relocation policy.
Travel is an essential part of the role. This role requires a combination of in-person meetings and virtual meetings with Agency contacts in Northern Ireland. It also requires regular in-person meetings with the Northern Ireland Agency Team in the Belfast office and the Devolved Nations Team and the broader Network in locations around the UK.
Minimum criteria:
- Strong communication skills, comfortable interacting with senior stakeholders internally and externally.
- Economics to degree level or equivalent work experience.
- Able to work collaboratively with colleagues within and/or outside the Bank.
- A good understanding of the Bank's approach to monetary policy and its policy frameworks, more generally.
Essential criteria:
- Experience of delivering presentations to technical and non-technical audiences and explaining complex messages clearly and concisely.
- Experience conducting analysis to answer economic and policy questions.
Desirable criteria:
- Experience of conducting interviews to gather qualitative information and summarising a large range of qualitative information effectively.
- Experience managing diverse teams and of matrix management.
- A full driving licence.
Whether the successful candidate becomes the Managing Agent for the Devolved Nations Team or a Technical Agent will depend on the candidate's preferences, expertise, skills and experience. Those will be assessed during the application process.
We expect colleagues in the Agency Network to spend a minimum of 20% of their working time in the office per month. Subject to that minimum requirement, individuals and managers should work together to find what works best for them and their team.
We are also committed to making adjustments for candidates and employees where possible and have partnered with external expert organisations to support us in this. We are a member of the Disability Confident Scheme
Employer Description
We are the UK's central bank - and we are a bank like no other; known by our peers for our world-leading thinking on policy and strategy.
Our mission is to promote the good of the people of the UK by maintaining monetary and financial stability. We seek to keep prices stable and people's money safe. We know our work matters to people, to families, up and down the UK. We are driven by curiosity and the desire to do important, challenging work.
It takes a great team to run the Bank of England. We rely on each other to play our part. We benefit from a collaborative culture and long-established flexible ways of working, supporting our colleagues balance their work and personal lives. We strive to be a place where people feel they belong and have equal access to opportunities, because different perspectives helps us make the best decisions for the public.
There's much to gain from working with us - from career defining work at the heart of the UK economy, being part of a fantastic team, and a rewarding compensation package.
Join us and find a bank like no other. Together, we can make a difference.
The Bank of England will use and protect the information you provide when you apply for a role with us, in line with our obligations under data protection law. This is so we can assess your suitability for the role and administer your application. If you're successful we'll use it to offer you a position and onboard you to join the Bank.
If you would like more details about how your information will be used and your information rights, please visit our recruitment privacy notice
The Bank values diversity and inclusion - we want to reflect the society we serve better; we want the best people to work for us and we want our workplace to be inclusive. We value all forms of diversity, including but not limited to age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religion and sexual orientation. One way we support diversity and inclusion is through our staff run networks.
- Currently a non-contributory, career average pension giving you a guaranteed retirement benefit of 1/80th of your annual salary for every year worked. There is the option to increase your pension (to 1/65th) or decrease (to 1/105th) in exchange for salary through our flexible benefits programme each year. The Bank has the discretion to vary standard accrual rates and dial up and dial down rates at any time and to withdraw dial up and dial down options at any time.
- A discretionary performance award based on a current award pool.
- An 8% benefits allowance with the option to take as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits.
- 26 days' annual leave with option to buy up to 12 additional days through flexible benefits.
- Private medical insurance and income protection.
The Bank of England welcomes applications from all candidates, but as a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) approved sponsor, we have a responsibility to comply with the Immigration Rules and guidance. As such, our ability to employ individuals who require sponsorship for immigration purposes is limited. The Bank cannot guarantee that you and / or the role you are applying for will be eligible for sponsorship and that any application made to UKVI will be successful. Eligibility will therefore be considered on a case by case basis.
Please apply online, ensuring that you complete your work history and answer ALL the application questions fully and in detail as your application will not be considered if all mandatory questions are not fully completed.
The Bank of England is the central bank of the United Kingdom. Sometimes known as the “Old Lady” of Threadneedle Street, the Bank was founded in 1694 with a founding charter that stated its purpose was to “promote the public good and benefit of our people”.
The Bank of England’s purpose today reflects that vision first articulated by our founders. Our mission: to promote the good of the people of the United Kingdom by maintaining monetary and financial stability.
Workplace Initiatives
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Program for parents returning to work after Parental Leave? |
We have a returner's session they can attend and our Parent's Network also run a separate returners session. |
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Leadership development programs? |
Yes |
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Mentoring programs? |
Yes |
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Coaching programs? |
Yes |
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Employee-led diversity networks? |
Yes |
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Internal women’s networking groups? |
Yes |
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Open to discussing flexible work arrangements at interview stage? |
Yes |
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No. of weeks paid maternity leave at full salary: |
26 weeks |
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Minimum weeks tenure required to be eligible for paid maternity leave: |
26 weeks service at the Qualifying week (15th week before due date) |
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No. of weeks paid paternity leave at full salary: |
2 weeks |
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Minimum tenure required to be eligible for paid paternity leave: |
26 weeks service at the Qualifying week (15th week before due date) |
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Gender pay gap reporting information 2019 (UK): |
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Mean pay gap: |
20.20% |
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Median pay gap: |
23% |
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Mean bonus (performance award) gap: |
21% |
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Median bonus (performance award) gap: |
22% |
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Signatory of the UK Women in Finance Charter? |
Yes |
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Targets to raise the number of women in leadership? |
Yes |
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Targets to raise the number of BAME individuals in leadership? |
Yes |
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Listed in the Bloomberg Diversity & Inclusion Index? |
No |
Returner Programme
We recognise that there is a large untapped talent pool of experienced professionals on a career break, including many high-calibre women who have taken time out of their careers for a variety of different reasons. As part of our inclusion agenda, the Bank is partnering with Women Returners, a specialist return-to-work organisation, to run the Bank of England Career Returners Programme to attract and support returning professionals, with coaching and training support provided by Women Returners and the possibility of a permanent role at the end of the programme.
Applicants will have to go through a short assessment process in order to gain a role. Applicants must have had a career break of two or more years to be eligible for the programme. All returners who gain a position will receive coaching support from Women Returners to help them transition back in to the workplace. The returners will be taking on real live budgeted vacancies – they are not specifically created roles. Flexible working options will be available, though we would ask that all returners attend the full induction.
Testimonials
" I had never thought about working in the public sector. I genuinely can’t remember why I decided to go to the Career Returners launch event at the Bank but it was literally life changing. I realised there was a place where I could work in financial services and still be able to care for my children. This was hugely different from when I was in investment banking. I was also very impressed by the level and quality of people in the Bank. I doubt I wouldn’t be working today if it was not for the programme – it is as simple as that."
"I’m not sure I would have come back to work in the City if I hadn’t have found something like this. Having young children and a long commute, I knew I wouldn’t find the flexibility I needed in the investment banking industry that I used to work in. Finding this scheme gave me the prospect of working part-time and flexibly without giving up on interesting and challenging work."
Working for The Bank of England
As a place of work, the Bank feels different from other organisations. The atmosphere is relaxed but professional, research-driven and connected to real events in the economy. While organisations in the private sector are focused primarily on profits, our objectives are the quality of our thinking and analysis.
Whichever area you join, it’s likely you’ll work on high-impact projects. The issues we deal with on a daily basis are often in the news, and affect everyone in the country. For many of our people, contributing to the public good is one of the most rewarding aspects of working here.
Our historic building is located in the heart of the City and combines rich tradition with up-to-date facilities. Just as important, a strong culture of support exists in the organisation.
The Bank is a member of the Disability Confident scheme. This means that applicants who declare a disability and who meet the minimum requirements of the job description are fast-tracked to the first stage of assessment.
The Bank also encourages Diversity of Thought, which inspires colleagues in every area to share different ways of thinking, working and achieving success. The aim of this is to promote creativity and encourage diverse approaches by inviting people with different backgrounds, skills or talents to present their thoughts and ideas.
In order to promote and support diversity in all its forms, we also have a number of Employee Networks:
LGBT+ AND ALLIES NETWORK
The LGBT+ and Allies Network is fully inclusive and open to every member of staff. This includes people who may not identify as LGBT+ themselves, but who actively support their LGBT+ colleagues, and promote a working environment where everyone – regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity – feels safe and confident to be themselves.
We are a Stonewall Diversity Champion and participate in the Workplace Equality Index most years. In 2018, we moved up 101 places in the index – a huge improvement in one year. Working with Stonewall, we are committed to improving LGBT+ diversity and inclusion even further.
DISABILITY NETWORK
The key objective of the Disability Network is to identify and remove barriers so that people with disabilities can achieve their full potential at the Bank. As well as supporting individuals with specific employment issues, the network organises events for all employees to raise awareness of the full range of disabilities and the challenges facing those who live with them.
MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK
This network is focused on improving people’s understanding of mental health issues. As well as highlighting the support available to colleagues, it organises and sponsors events to combat the stigma around mental health. In doing so, it aims to ensure that anyone affected by mental health issues – either directly or indirectly – feels more inclined to open up and seek help earlier.
WOMEN IN THE BANK NETWORK
The Women in the Bank Network aims to ensure that all women can flourish in the workplace. It’s open to everyone, regardless of gender, focusing on identifying and tackling issues that can hold women back in their professional development and job satisfaction.
Although we still have a way to go, our efforts to address the imbalance between male and female employees have already achieved considerable success. Of around 1300 staff here, 43% are women with 33% at Governor level.
BEEM NETWORK
BEEM was established to inform, inspire, advocate and promote Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) related matters in the Bank. As well as ensuring BAME staff experience the same performance reviews, rates of pay and development opportunities as non-BAME colleagues, BEEM is committed to addressing the imbalance of BAME representation at a senior management level.
MUSLIM NETWORK
The Muslim Network connects and supports Muslim colleagues throughout the Bank, ensuring no one ever has to compromise their religious obligations or spiritual needs in order to excel in their professional role. As part of this, the network also organises events and activities to mark important Islamic celebrations and bring people together throughout the year.
JEWISH NETWORK
The Jewish Network is here to support all Jewish colleagues across the Bank, and help them celebrate and raise awareness of their shared faith. The network is proud of its inclusivity and welcomes members from all denominations and beliefs, including Orthodox, Conservative, Progressive, Cultural and Atheist Jews, as well as those who are not affiliated.
CHRISTIAN UNION
The Christian Union is open to Christians of any (or no) denominational background, as well as colleagues who don’t consider themselves Christians but are interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. Its members regularly come together to study the Bible, pray, talk and socialise, with a focus on their faith and how it influences their work and everyday lives.
CARERS NETWORK
Whether it involves looking after someone with chronic illness, disability or mental health issues, an elderly relative or young children as part of a family, being a carer can be tremendously rewarding. But it’s also extremely demanding. The Carers Network provides the information, advice and support colleagues need to balance that responsibility with a successful career.