Policy and Stakeholder Engagement Adviser inLondon inLondon PUBLISHED THU 24 OCT 2024

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents and other health threats. The Grade 7 Policy and stakeholder Engagement Advisor in the Health Security Campus Programme will work closely with (and where necessary deputising for) the Grade 6 Head of policy and stakeholder engagement.

We are looking for aPolicy and stakeholder Engagement Advisor you will be working on policy and engagement to gain ministerial approval of a new business case for the Programme. This is a fast paced, high-profile role offering the right individual a unique opportunity to work alongside the UK's leading scientists and clinicians to prepare for, prevent, and respond to threats to health.

Specific duties include:

• Coordinating policy input as part of UKHSA's response to specific requirements for ministerial approval for a new business case. This can be very fast paced, unpredictable and high-profile work.
• Coordinating UKHSA's role gaining approval for the Health Security campus Programme (co-led with DHSC) ensuring that a sustained programme is built which delivers results.
• Working on and helping to develop the stakeholder communication strategies and develop/manage ongoing relationships with critical stakeholder groups in order to identify and deliver objectives that benefit all parties ensuring the wider team are able to deliver high-quality briefings, correspondence and submissions at pace. Working across the team to build experience and skills in these areas.
• Investing time to build networks and relationships within and beyond the Agency to deliver against our priorities.
• Helping to establishing mechanisms to ensure that any gaps in policy development captured through the team's work can be identified, scoped and turned into projects either completed within the team or by others across the directorate.
• Supporting and UKHSA leadership in the Health Security Campus Programme as a whole, supporting the Director and senior leadership team across a range of management, policy and corporate issues as required.

About us

As aPolicy and stakeholder Engagement Advisor your main responsibilities will include:

• Coordinating UKHSAs role gaining approval for the Health Security campus programme (co-led with DHSC) ensuring that a sustained programme is built which delivers results.
• Key role in the development of stakeholder communication strategies and develop/manage ongoing relationships with critical stakeholder groups in order to identify and deliver objectives that benefit all parties ensuring the wider team are able to deliver high-quality briefings, correspondence and submissions at pace. Working across the team to build experience and skills in these areas.
• Establishing mechanisms to ensure that any gaps in policy development captured through the teams work can be identified, scoped and turned into projects either completed within the team or by others across the directorate.
• Playing an important role in the Health Security Campus Programme as a whole, supporting the Director and senior leadership team across a range of management, policy and corporate issues as required.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Essential Criteria

• Capable of working flexibly with a high degree of resilience, responding quickly to high-profile issues.
• Experienced in policy development and demonstrate the ability to work both within technical detail and strategic context.Good communicator, able to build credibility and have impact with internal and external stakeholders and senior leaders across disciplines.
• Experience of confidently engaging and presenting to senior stakeholders to generate commitment and public buy-in to programme objectives.
• Be able to write concisely and with impact, setting out complex ideas in an accessible and engaging way.
• Demonstrate experience of developing communications and engagement strategies on behalf of complex organisations.
• A strong eye for detail whilst maintaining a strategic view on how different projects fit together, making decisions and guiding others to deliver against that strategic vision.
• Relish the opportunity to take on responsibility for work that you are not immediately expert in, learning quickly and taking advice where necessary.
• Be an inclusive team player who is able to build a cross-organisational team and provide leadership and support to those in the immediate team who work with you.

Selection process details

Stage 1 - Application & Sift:

Success profiles will be used throughout the process, and you will be assessed against the following behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• An Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• A (1200 number of words) Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Communicating and Influencing

Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

Please do not exceed1200 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

Stage 2 Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Behaviour's will be tested at interview.

There will be a 5-minute Presentation at the start of the interview. The topic of the presentation will be sent to you if invited to interview.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviour's will be used at the interview:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 7th November 2024 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: W/C 11th November 2024

Interviews: W/C 18th November 2024

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).

Eligibility

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Security Check (SC).