Scientific Policy Officer

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

We are looking for a full time or part time Scientific Policy Officer to support a wide range of our policy-related work. A key part of this role will be to support the Scientific Policy team in carrying out reviews of HFEA policy, which can include analysing consultation responses and researching and providing scientific policy advice internally and externally. 

Main duties of the job

You will be working on various areas of policy likely to include fertility treatment add-ons, donor screening and consent. You will be the secretariat to the HFEA’s Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC) of scientific experts and clinicians and will support the HFEA’s horizon scanning function. The successful candidate will also be responsible for dealing with patient, public and professional enquiries from clinics, including queries from the media and parliamentary questions.

About us

The HFEA is the UK's independent regulator overseeing safe and appropriate practice in fertility treatment and embryo research. We license and monitor clinics carrying out IVF, donor insemination, and human embryo research.

The HFEA’s office is at 2 Redman Place, Stratford, London. This post is offered as your choice of either office based in which case (you need to attend the office at least once per week) or home based (you cannot attend the office more than 3 times per month).

Date posted

16 May 2022

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£30,042 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

G0002-22-9504

Job locations

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ


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 HFEA 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 HFEA’s 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 work with project management documents where needed.

5. To assist in the planning and running of stakeholder and Treatment Add-on 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. This involves logging, allocating and drafting answers to 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.

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 HFEA 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 HFEA’s 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 work with project management documents where needed.

5. To assist in the planning and running of stakeholder and Treatment Add-on 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. This involves logging, allocating and drafting answers to 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

Knowledge & skills

Essential

  • IT skills including a good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook Word PowerPoint and Excel
  • Good time management skills and an ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
  • Excellent organisation skills and record keeping, using appropriate software and systems skilfully.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of human genetics and cell biology
  • Some awareness of data driven technologies and AI.

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.
Person Specification

Knowledge & skills

Essential

  • IT skills including a good working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook Word PowerPoint and Excel
  • Good time management skills and an ability to prioritise tasks effectively.
  • Excellent organisation skills and record keeping, using appropriate software and systems skilfully.

Desirable

  • Knowledge of human genetics and cell biology
  • Some awareness of data driven technologies and AI.

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.

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)

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)

For questions about the job, contact:

Policy Manager

Victoria Askew

victoria.askew@hfea.gov.uk

Date posted

16 May 2022

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£30,042 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

G0002-22-9504

Job locations

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ


Supporting documents

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