Job summary
- Main area
- Administrative
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Home or remote working
- Job ref
- 980-HRA7116737
- Employer
- Health Research Authority
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Health Research Authority
- Town
- Newcastle
- Salary
- £29,970 - £36,483 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 21/04/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Policy and Partnerships Officer
NHS AfC: Band 5
The HRA is a Non Departmental Public Body with the remit to protect and promote the interests of patients and the public in health and social care research. We do this by supporting and promoting a robust and efficient regulatory and governance framework in the UK. We provide the Research Ethics Service (RES), Confidentiality Advice function, assessments and assurances on behalf of the NHS, and learning, guidance and advice for the research community. Our ambition is to make the UK a great place to do research, where more money invested in research goes into carrying out relevant, good quality research.
Our purpose is to ensure that research involving NHS patients and members of the public is approved through a proportionate and robust system, that they are provided with the information they need to help them decide whether they wish to take part, and that their opportunity to do so is maximised by simplifying the processes by which high quality research is assessed. We have already delivered significant improvements by centralising and simplifying the approval of research in the NHS in England, and are undertaking a range of significant programmes to deliver further improvements.
Job overview
The Policy and Partnerships Officer helps the Health Research Authority (HRA) to make change happen. This is a key support role within the Policy and Partnerships Directorate, supporting projects, engagement and public involvement activities that form part of the Policy and Partnerships Directorate’s busy work plan.
You will support our work with a wide range of different stakeholders to inform and influence on our policy, engagement, and public involvement priorities. You will work with colleagues to formulate and adjust plans to help drive work forward.
Main duties of the job
Working collaboratively to support policy development through desk research and the development of policy positions. This includes helping gather, analyse and share complex information from different sources to inform policy development.
Independently supporting projects by arranging meetings, minute taking, independently managing project documentation and reporting on project risks.
Planning and co-ordination of a number of policies, public involvement and engagement activities. Working with colleagues to formulate and adjust plans to help drive work forward to help achieve project objectives.
Supporting business as usual and continuous improvement work.
Assisting in the co-ordination of engagement and public involvement activities.
Helping identify, build, maintain, and support relationships with key stakeholders, including the health and social care research community and members of the public.
Assisting intelligence leads across the team to collate and communicate relevant information and news from across the health and social care research sector to support everyone in the HRA to work more effectively.
Working for our organisation
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.
We’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that help us to deliver the best services.
We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community. This includes:
• age
• disability
• ethnicity
• gender identity and expression
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation
• other diverse characteristics
We have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement – if it works for you, we’ll do our best to make it work for us.
Please note, if applying to our Bristol, Manchester or Nottingham or locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based. If applying to Newcastle we can consider an office based location, to be discussed at interview.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role sits within the Policy and Partnerships directorate which is made up of three teams: policy and engagement, communications and public involvement. We provide support and advice across the organisation on communicating with staff and external audiences, engaging with stakeholders and involving patients and the public in our work. To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached. In submitting your application with us, please note the following: We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies. We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship arrangement. Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered. The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of applications.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- A degree or equivalent work experience.
Desirable criteria
- Previous experience of supporting engagement with or involvement of people in research policy issues.
Knowledge, skills and expertise
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of the UK health and care system, including the UK research environment, research governance system, and stakeholders with an interest in health and social care research.
Experience
Essential criteria
- Producing evidenced based reports, papers or other communications using language suitable to the audience.
Desirable criteria
- Supporting policy development and engagement or public involvement activities and projects in a public sector organisation.
- Supporting committees or stakeholder groups, including liaising with members, and writing minutes.
Interpersonal skills
Desirable criteria
- Confident to engage with people who may have different and conflicting points of view and use diplomacy and sensitivity to handle difficult situations and find a way to move forward together. Including negotiation skills and the ability to say no.
Other
Essential criteria
- Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity.
- Willingness to travel throughout the UK with occasional overnight stays.
Knowledge, skills and expertise
Essential criteria
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to convey information in a clear and accessible way to different audiences.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
Desirable criteria
- Understanding of health and social care research policy and/or an understanding of different engagement approaches.
Analytical and judgemental skills
Desirable criteria
- Developed analytical, judgement and interpersonal skills. Able to find, interpret, and define information about issues and stakeholders that are important to the HRA’s work, analyse and identify what this means for the HRA, and share these insights with colleagues.
Interpersonal skills
Desirable criteria
- Able to apply insights to engage with people and organisations in a way that works for them so that you can support great relationships with stakeholders.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Damilola Odunlami
- Job title
- Public Involvement Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
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