Scientific Policy Manager

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To lead on the HFEAs high profile project on fertility treatment add-ons in particular to review the traffic light ratings and to work with external stakeholders, experts and patients to make recommendations for improvements.

2. To take on other responsibilities within the Policy team as required. This may include work on policy responses around facilitating research around the HFEAs facilitation of licensed embryo research and of data research using the clinic data that the HFEA collects. This role may also help to develop our ongoing work of considering the legislative aspects of regulating the licensed treatments and embryo research of the future and of helping the HFEA to drive forward innovation within our regulatory framework.

3. Initiate and project manage policy projects and reviews, taking them from scoping and planning, through public engagement work, to making policy recommendations to the Authority.

4. Manage the work of the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC)

5. Lead the HFEAs scientific and clinical horizon scanning function. Programme an annual (summer) international horizon-scanning meeting.

6. Represent the Authority at conferences, seminars and external working groups, presenting as required and where needed.

7. Provide policy support and briefing on scientific and clinical matters to the Chair, Authority members and senior management. Be the main advisory contact for scientific and clinical matters for the senior management team, HFEA Chair, and external organisations such as other ALBs or professional societies.

8. Lead on provision of guidance and information, both internally and externally, on matters of Authority policy, seeking legal advice as necessary

9. Support HFEAs communications function including drafting briefings, articles, and speech writing, as required

10. Reply to public enquiries and draft answers to Parliamentary Questions concerning Authority policy and scientific issues.

11. Line manage the Policy Manager (this permanent role has a specific focus on scientific policy work, but undertakes other Manager-level policy work as required). This role is likely to be preparing for SCAAC meetings including proposing draft agendas, and monitoring AI and data-driven technologies issues for HFEA and communicating key developments to colleagues.

Person Specification

Managing work

Essential

• Strong time management skills and an ability to be flexible and proactive, and use initiative to prioritise workload
• Excellent organisational skills and record keeping, using appropriate software and systems skilfully
• An ability to remain calm under pressure and to be resilient

Qualifications

Essential

• Education to degree level or equivalent in a biological or clinical subject.

Experience

Essential

• Experience or involvement in policy work, preferably in a regulatory context
• Proven project management and analytical skills.
• Experience of building and maintaining good relationships with and influencing key stakeholders.
• Good written and oral communication skills.
• An ability to understand complicated legal, ethical, and scientific issues surrounding assisted reproductive technologies.
• Experience of working with committees
• Knowledge or academic experience in biological or clinical science

Desirable

• Experience of producing evidence based guidance.
• Experience of working closely with senior staff and boards
• Experience of managing projects.
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary groups

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)