Scientific Policy Officer

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To support Policy Managers in carrying out policy reviews by carrying out desk research, contributing to public consultation activities, analysing public consultation responses and contributing to committee papers and reports.

2. Act as secretariat to the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC), including planning meeting agendas and logistics, drafting, and presenting committee papers, liaising with the Chair and committee members and minuting, and coordinating its work.

3. To support the HFEAs horizon scanning function, including planning the annual horizon scanning meeting, and compiling and presenting scientific literature review findings to the SCAAC.

4. To manage small-scale policy projects and processes, and project management documents where needed.

5. To assist in the planning and running of stakeholder and working group meetings by coordinating agendas, taking minutes of meetings, and liaising with members, where needed.

6. To be jointly responsible (alongside the other Policy Officer and Communications Officer) for the smooth operation of the system for responding to public enquiries. Logging, allocating and answering queries from patients, the public and other external stakeholders.

7. To provide guidance, briefings, and other information, both internally and externally, on matters of HFEA policy (particularly relating to developments in scientific and clinical research, new clinical techniques and treatments).

8. To provide support and resilience across the organisation as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Education to at least degree level or equivalent in a biological science subject.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of undertaking scientific literature searches and analysing information.
• Ability to summarise and identify key points from a wide range of evidence.
• An ability to understand complicated legal, ethical and scientific issues surrounding assisted reproductive technologies.
• Good written and verbal communication skills including an ability to handle sensitive enquiries.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Desirable

• Experience or working with a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience of working with committees.
• Experience of servicing meetings particularly minute taking.
• Project management skills and experience.
• Some awareness of data driven technologies and AI.

Managing work

Essential

• Good time management skills and an ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
• Excellent organisation skills and record keeping, using appropriate software and systems skilfully.

Knowledge

Desirable

• Knowledge of human genetics and cell biology.

Employer details

Employer name

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

Address

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ

Employer's website

https://www.hfea.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)