Supporting local authorities with ESOL, entrepreneurship and employability for ‘New Scots’ across Scotland in the COSLA Migration, Population & Diversity team.

Policy Assistant across COSLA’s Environment & Economy (September - December 2019) and Children & Young People teams.

As a small business representation body, I contacted our members to gain their first-hand insight into the difficulties they are experiencing in the retail environment. This role involved me engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders and effectively balancing a large workload.Using a specifically tailored survey, I used my research abilities to obtain, manage and utilise data to contribute to a report to present to the Northern Ireland Executive, offering recommendations on how to… Show more As a small business representation body, I contacted our members to gain their first-hand insight into the difficulties they are experiencing in the retail environment. This role involved me engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders and effectively balancing a large workload.Using a specifically tailored survey, I used my research abilities to obtain, manage and utilise data to contribute to a report to present to the Northern Ireland Executive, offering recommendations on how to improve the small business environment. A major policy recommended was a restructuring of Business Rates in Northern Ireland, which was accepted by the then-Finance Minister.My passion for politics across the UK kept me aware of developing themes of public policy across the devolved nations, which helped when analysing my findings to ensure my written communication was of a very high standard.I used and improved my research, analytical and communication skills, demonstrated my language and writing abilities and my administrative and relationship building skills. Contributing to a report showed my strong attention to detail. As a result, my work was included in the Retail NI report released in March 2017, titled “Creating a Northern Ireland Economic Powerhouse”. Show less