Policy and Public Affairs Officer

Job Description

We're the UK's specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: we’re here to beat blood cancer. We fund world-class research; provide information and support to patients and their loved ones; and raise awareness of blood cancer. Since 1960 we have invested more than £500 million in blood cancer research in the UK. Where we’ve invested, survival rates and quality of life have improved. We’ve been working to beat blood cancer for over 50 years, and we won’t stop until we do. Be a part of our story and help us change the world. This is an exciting time to join the Policy and Influencing team of the UK’s leading blood cancer charity as we continue to bring people affected by blood cancer to the centre of our policy work. We have recently launched a landmark UK Blood Cancer Action Plan; the impact of the policy and influencing team in achieving Blood Cancer UK’s mission is more important than ever. You will have a key role in the development of our policy work and leading our public affairs in England, to influence the Government and NHS. You will be innovative, flexible and have a passion for working as part of a team to achieve real change for people with blood cancer. You will have experience of working in a policy role and excellent knowledge of health policy. A good understanding of how to use health data most effectively in the pursuit of policy ambitions, and experience of working in or with Government or Parliament would be an advantage. We’re open to applicants who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a job share or working part time (minimum of 28 hours). If this applies to you, please outline this in your cover letter. The majority of our roles can be performed hybrid which means you will be required to attend the office 2-4 days per month, there may also be additional need to attend in-person events i.e. parliamentary or coalition events. Travel costs to your contracted office will be at your own expense. Our culture and benefits package are award winning, and our staff survey tells us that we’re a great place to work. We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.

Key Responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead Blood Cancer UK’s policy and public affairs work in England, ensuring the voice of people with blood cancer fully informs our public facing policy lines.
• Horizon scan for emerging policy issues by working closely with senior colleagues in the directorate. Develop Blood Cancer UK’s policy positions on these issues by gathering insights from healthcare professionals, researchers and the blood cancer community.
• Put the blood cancer community at the heart of our policy and campaigns activity, including responsibility for our Policy Panel.
• Coordinate with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager to influence policy outcomes in England.
• Maintain a detailed knowledge of the health/blood cancer policy landscape, including the evolving structure of the NHS and local/national organisations responsible for delivering services, and share this information internally in a timely manner.
• Represent Blood Cancer UK on policy coalitions at health conferences and in external meetings with officials and decision makers.
• Review and provide analysis of key health data, particularly in relation to diagnosis, care and treatment for people with blood cancer.
• Work with external organisations which Blood Cancer UK has commissioned to undertake policy research on our behalf.
• Work with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager to coordinate policy positions and priorities across the four UK nations

THINGS WE ALL DO

• Promote Blood Cancer UK’s vision, mission and core values
• Support Blood Cancer UK’s commitment to actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity
• We’re all fundraisers. This is slightly different for all roles, and your team will have fundraising KPIs and objectives we all work to
• Attend and assist at Blood Cancer UK events and activities as required (NB this involves evening and weekend work)
• Be an effective ambassador for Blood Cancer UK at any activity you attend
• All staff are expected to adhere to Blood Cancer UK’s policies and procedures
• Do any other reasonable things your manager needs you to do
• We work in partnership with our community by actively involving people affected by blood cancer in the decisions we make about our work – what we do and how we do it

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience of working in a policy development role and an excellent understanding of health policy and structures.
• Good understanding of health policy in England and NHS structures locally and nationally
• An understanding of how data and evidence can best be used to support our policy campaigns
• Experience of responding to Government, Parliament and Select Committee consultations
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop good relationships both with colleagues and key external stakeholders, clinicians and people affected by blood cancer.
• Excellent knowledge of cancer policy or a strong desire to develop such knowledge.
• Understanding of health policy and structures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is advantageous
• Good communications skills, including an ability to write for a range of audiences including via the web and social media and explaining complex concepts in plain English.
• Experience or knowledge of involving disabled people/people affected by long-term conditions in policy work
• Supports a culture of continuous improvement and able to work and plan with a high degree of autonomy
• A commitment to equal opportunities and diversity and the aims and values of Blood Cancer UK