JOB SUMMARY

We are currently looking for a Senior Policy Partner to join our Innovation Accelerator Function within the Science, Research & Innovation group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. We are open to requests for part-time, job shares and flexible working. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.
Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.
We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Our successful candidate will have:

• Experience of strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align delivery with broader system objectives and policy context
• Demonstrated ability to build influence and trust with senior internal and external stakeholders
• Effective leadership skills, being visible, empowering others, building resilience and leading improvements with the ability to motivate high performing teams to success, adapting your leadership style where appropriate and delivering through others
• The ability to see the big picture, developing and maintaining an understanding of economic, social, political, environmental and technological developments to ensure activity is relevant

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
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SELECTION PROCESS DETAILS

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
• Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage.
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of ‘Experience of strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align delivery with broader system objectives and policy context’.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the statement of suitability provided. You can view the criteria for this role in the job description.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

The role offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation in the UK. This role will focus on leading on the delivery of the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) which aims to accelerate the time to market, facilitating patient access to transformative medicines. This will involve working across multiple organisations to ensure the successful delivery of the ILAP and ensure it can continue to develop to meet the needs of the whole sector.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership for the development and delivery of the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) and its integration with the next iteration of IDAP to create an ‘Innovation Gateway’. This will include providing oversight of the governance, overseeing delivery of project and programme milestones, setting future policy direction policy through ongoing evaluation to identify opportunities to deliver improvements.
• Lead on driving forward the development of cross-cutting strategy, policy and guidance, working with MHRA technical experts, contributing to MHRA’s wider innovation strategy by informing decisions on the case for change through use of evidence, providing advice and briefings to senior leaders on a variety of policy and strategy matters relating to the regulation of innovative healthcare products, ensuring these are aligned with Government and MHRA strategic priorities. This will include playing a key role in developing and implementing policy changes.
• Take a leading role in the evolution of the Innovation Accelerator as the team objective expand, balancing its reactive and proactive work, and ensuring the team continues to be highly regarded, motivated and supported.
• Establish strong relationships with a network of both internal and external stakeholders – such as DHSC Sponsor and policy teams, other Government departments, industry trade associations, and other regulators - bringing different perspectives together to understand policy and technical challenges creating a shared sense of purpose to maximize the impact of our work for the benefit of patients and the public. Confidently leading representational work with senior stakeholders, which may include representing the MHRA at external meetings, conferences and events.
• Monitor the broader policy landscape relating to innovative product and regulatory environment in order to providing advice and insight to steer, prioritise, and maximise the impact of the MHRAs activities. This will include preparing and presenting high-quality briefing and policy documents, communicating complex issues into clear and concise policy recommendations, to advise Ministers and senior officials and support key decision making.

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required