Scientific Policy Officer

Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The HFEA is looking to recruit a Scientific Policy Officer to play an active part in the HFEAs Policy Team by focusing primarily on projects based in the Scientific Policy side of the team, but will also undertake non-scientific policy work. This post reports to the Policy Manager.

Benefits, include 27.5 days annual leave, entry into the Civil Service Pension Scheme and various others). Full-time/part-time (ideally not less than 0.8 FTE) applications and secondment requests (supported by the applicants seconding organisation) are welcome for this role.

Applicants can choose to be home or office based. When working remotely all staff have supported use of IT equipment provided by the HFEA.

Start date:January 2025 (nine-month fixed term contract with possibility to extend up to 12 months)

Interviews - w/c 16 December 2024

Main duties of the job

A key part of this role will be to support the Scientific Policy team in carrying out reviews of HFEA policy, which can include giving scientific policy advice and guidance both internally and externally. You will be working on various areas of policy including ourlaw reform work on future scientific developments and artificial intelligence,which involves working closely with colleagues from across the HFEA. You will act assecretariat to the HFEAs Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC),made up of scientific experts and clinicians,andsupport the HFEAs horizon scanning function. The successful candidate will also be responsible for dealing with patient, public and sector enquiries, including queries from the media and parliamentary question.

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.

This post is offered as either office based (in which case you will need to attend the office at least one day per week) or home based (in which case office attendance will be specified by your line manager based on business need). Our office is in Stratford, east London, in attractive new premises on the edge of the Olympic Park, alongside several other health Arms Length Bodies. In addition to flexibility and hybrid working we offer generous annual leave and pension arrangements.

Date posted

18 November 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£34,500 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

G0002-24-0012

Job locations

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Working as part of the Policy team, the Scientific Policy Officer will support the scientific policy team, give scientific policy advice and guidance both internally and externally and contribute to policy projects on various areas of policy including our law reform work on future scientific developments and artificial intelligence. The post holder will also be responsible for dealing with patient, public and inspector enquires, including parliamentary questions and queries from media, relating to all our policy areas.

A key part of this role will be to act as secretariat to the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC) and to support the HFEAs horizon scanning function so that relevant scientific developments can be anticipated, for example, the stem cell-based embryo models, public health outcomes, and the emergence of AI and data-driven technologies. 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 and associated SOPs.

Responsibilities

1. 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.

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

3. 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.

4. To be jointly responsible (alongside the other Policy Officer and Media & Stakeholder Relations 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.

5. 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).

6. To support Policy Managers in carrying out policy reviews, contributing to public consultation activities, analysing public consultation responses and contributing to committee papers.

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

Job description

Job responsibilities

Working as part of the Policy team, the Scientific Policy Officer will support the scientific policy team, give scientific policy advice and guidance both internally and externally and contribute to policy projects on various areas of policy including our law reform work on future scientific developments and artificial intelligence. The post holder will also be responsible for dealing with patient, public and inspector enquires, including parliamentary questions and queries from media, relating to all our policy areas.

A key part of this role will be to act as secretariat to the Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC) and to support the HFEAs horizon scanning function so that relevant scientific developments can be anticipated, for example, the stem cell-based embryo models, public health outcomes, and the emergence of AI and data-driven technologies. 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 and associated SOPs.

Responsibilities

1. 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.

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

3. 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.

4. To be jointly responsible (alongside the other Policy Officer and Media & Stakeholder Relations 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.

5. 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).

6. To support Policy Managers in carrying out policy reviews, contributing to public consultation activities, analysing public consultation responses and contributing to committee papers.

7. 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 or clinical subject, or equivalent experience.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of servicing meetings particularly minute taking.
  • Experience of undertaking scientific literature searches or review of research publications
  • Ability to summarise and identify key points from a wide range of evidence.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills including an ability to handle sensitive enquiries.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Desirable

  • Experience of working with a variety of stakeholders
  • Experience of working with committees
  • Project management skills and experience
  • Knowledge or experience of legal ethical and scientific issues surrounding fertility treatment and research

Managing work

Essential

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

Qualifications

Essential

  • Education to at least degree level or equivalent in a biological or clinical subject, or equivalent experience.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of servicing meetings particularly minute taking.
  • Experience of undertaking scientific literature searches or review of research publications
  • Ability to summarise and identify key points from a wide range of evidence.
  • Good written and verbal communication skills including an ability to handle sensitive enquiries.
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Desirable

  • Experience of working with a variety of stakeholders
  • Experience of working with committees
  • Project management skills and experience
  • Knowledge or experience of legal ethical and scientific issues surrounding fertility treatment and research

Managing work

Essential

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

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:

Scientific Policy Manager

Rebecca Taylor

rebecca.taylor@hfea.gov.uk

Date posted

18 November 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£34,500 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Flexible working

Reference number

G0002-24-0012

Job locations

2nd Floor

2 Redman Place

London

E20 1JQ


Supporting documents

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