Family Tracing & Records Officer

Family Tracing & Records Officer Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be supporting Adopt NI with the recruitment of three Family Tracing and Records Officers. These positions will support the delivery of information recovery and family tracing services for adults linked to Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses, and their pathways and practices in Northern Ireland. This is a distinctive opportunity for experienced genealogists, genetic genealogists and professional researchers to use documentary research, archive records and DNA analysis to help individuals understand their biological and family history.

These roles are funded by the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS). Location Belfast, with hybrid working available. Regular in-person access to public records offices and archives across Northern Ireland will be required. Hours of Work and Positions Available One full-time position: 37 hours per week One part-time position: 30 hours per week One part-time position: 19 hours per week Salary NJC Point 23:
Full-time, 37 hours: £34,434 per annum Part-time, 30 hours: approximately £27,919 per annum Part-time, 19 hours: approximately £17,682 per annum Contract Fixed-term until March 2029, subject to funding. Closing Date Friday 7th August . Proposed Interview Date Interviews are anticipated to take place during the week beginning 24th August 2026.

Salary and Benefits Adopt NI offers:
Flexible and hybrid working options Family-friendly policies 25 days annual leave plus 10 public holidays Workplace pension Induction and on-the-job training Regular supervision Parking available at the office Time off in lieu for additional hours worked Annual leave entitlement and salary will be calculated pro rata for the part-time positions. About Adopt NI Adopt NI is an independent registered charity established in 1989.

Its main priority is to support adults impacted by the lifelong journey of adoption or care. Based in Belfast and operating regionally, Adopt NI provides confidential support and information to adults affected by adoption or separation from their family of origin. Its work is focused on improving access to information, empowering adults and providing individual, non-judgemental support throughout what can be a complex and emotional journey.

The Role The Family Tracing and Records Officer will work as part of a wider multidisciplinary team delivering information recovery and family tracing services. Using traditional genealogical records, archival research and genetic genealogy data, the successful candidate will help reconstruct family histories, identify biological relatives and resolve complex questions concerning kinship and family origin. The role will involve researching public and historical records, building extensive family trees, examining DNA matches and presenting findings in accurate and accessible client reports.

This work must be undertaken with meticulous attention to detail, sensitivity and respect. Family discoveries may be complex or emotionally difficult, and the successful candidate must be able to communicate and work in an empathetic, trauma-informed and professional manner. The postholder will collaborate closely with Adopt NIs Advocacy and Tracing Caseworkers, particularly in cases involving family contact, intermediary support or voluntary DNA testing.

This role may also appeal to candidates searching for positions such as Genealogist, Genetic Genealogist, Family History Researcher, Adoption Tracing Researcher, Archive Researcher or Records and Research Officer.

Key Responsibilities The Family Tracing and Records Officer will:
Build accurate, multi-generational family trees using census returns, civil records, probate files, land records and other documentary evidence. Research digital repositories and physical archives, including Ancestry, Findmypast, Family Search, the National Archives of Ireland and PRONI. Interpret DNA results and match lists from major testing platforms, using techniques such as chromosome mapping, triangulation and What Are the Odds analysis. Combine documentary and genetic evidence to resolve complex adoption, parentage and…