Policy Manager

Job description

Job responsibilities

To play an active part in the HFEAs Policy Team, based in the Regulatory Policy side of the team, by leading on policy-related work and providing policy advice both internally and externally as required. This role will involve managing complex policy reviews. A key part of this role may also include leading on aspects of the HFEAs high profile work including looking at future legislative changes. The Policy Manager will be expected to provide detailed and accurate policy advice working at pace and collaborating with senior leadership to deliver high quality work to meet tight deadlines.

Key responsibilities

1. Initiate and project manage policy projects and reviews, taking them from scoping and planning, to making policy recommendations to the Authority. This role may involve leading on aspects of the HFEAs ongoing work looking at future legislative changes. For example, it may involve supporting public affairs activities or public policy-related work as required.

2. Provide policy support and detailed briefing on policy matters to the Chair, Authority members and senior management.

3. Represent the Authority at conferences, seminars and external working groups, presenting as required.

4. Provide secretariat support to Committees, working groups or stakeholder groups as required

5. Provide guidance and information, both internally and externally, on matters of Authority policy, seeking legal advice as necessary.

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

7. Reply to often complex enquiries from patients, professionals and the public and draft answers to Parliamentary Questions or Freedom of Information Requests (FOIs) concerning Authority policy.

Person Specification

Managing work

Essential

• Strong time management skills and an ability to 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
• An ability to work at pace, producing detailed and accurate work to a high level whilst meeting tight deadlines

Qualifications

Essential

• Education to at least degree level or equivalent

Desirable

• Project management qualification (i.e. PRINCE2, APM)
• A degree or equivalent experience in a legal, ethical, social scientific or biological science or clinical subject

Experience

Essential

• Experience or involvement in policy, patient care and safety or inspection work, preferably in a regulatory context
• Experience of working with legislation
• Experience of producing evidence based guidance
• Experience of building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, including professional and governmental
• Experience of carrying out literature searches and reviewing legal ethical or scientific papers

Desirable

• Experience of implementing or evaluating policy or legislation
• Experience of working closely with senior staff and boards
• Experience of working with committees
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary groups

Knowledge & skills

Essential

• Knowledge or academic experience in ethics, law, the social sciences or biomedical science
• Proven project management and analytical skills
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Ability to understand complicated legal, ethical and scientific issues in health care and articulate that in detailed written briefings

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)