Scientific Policy Officer

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

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)