JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Policy Officer

Reports To: Knowledge and Research Manager

Location: London

Date Prepared: March 2015

PURPOSE

The Policy Officer supports the delivery of the research and knowledge management function across the English NHS Confederation, in order to maximise efficiency in internal knowledge sharing, and ensure evidence is used to maximum impact, across the English Office’s member, stakeholder and political engagement activities.

The post holder also works with colleagues across the English Confederation team to support our political and stakeholder engagement.

NATURE & SCOPE Including Dimensions

The post holder will report to the Knowledge and Research Manager within the English Office team, to support and help deliver our knowledge and research function.

The post holder will, with supervision and support, implement systems, processes and products which improve how the team collects and utilises key business intelligence from Government, stakeholders and members about the English Office’s priority policy areas.

They will help develop and maintain a resource library of key data, statistics and research outputs on key topics relevant to the organisation’s policy priorities, and brief colleagues on this as requested. They will play a key role in delivering high quality, high value products for members across England to provide them with relevant policy evidence and analysis. They will also, with supervision, undertake research projects (e.g. literature reviews, data collection and analysis, member interview, case study research).

They will work closely with all constituent parts of the NHS Confederation and will be required to develop effective relationships with colleagues from across the organisation. They will also work on a regular basis with stakeholders in member organisations, and other external governmental, commercial, and voluntary sector bodies.

A key part of this role will also be to support political and stakeholder engagement, with advice, input and appropriate supervision/support from colleagues with specialist expertise in political and stakeholder engagement.

As a member of a busy team working in a changing environment, the post-holder will be expected to be flexible and proactive.

The post holder will not have any staff or budget management responsibilities.

STRUCTURE CHART

Group Director of Policy & Director

English Office (0.6)

Deputy Director of Policy & Delivery

Head of Policy & Research

Knowledge & Research Manager

Policy Officer

Policy & Research Manager

Senior Policy & Research Officer

Senior Policy Advisor (Economics & Regulation)

Head of Public Affairs

Public Affairs & Engagement Manager

Senior Policy & Engagement Officer

Senior Policy & Engagement Officer

Team Administrative Assistant (0.6) (Full

time position shared with NHSPN)

PA to Group Directors (ref Private &

Programme Office)

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Support the delivery of the NHS Confederation's policy research and knowledge management functions and services, including by: monitoring key publications and online resources for relevant research, policy reports and information about members’ activities; horizon scanning for forthcoming relevant consultations and events; researching and collating information and preparing draft reports, briefings and communications materials; collating information and consultation responses from members and stakeholders and presenting them to the team in the appropriate format; supporting the preparation and production of reports, briefings and other member resources.

Undertake research projects (for example literature reviews; data collection and analysis; survey design and administration; member interview; or case-study research) commissioned by colleagues

Contribute to and use our collective member and stakeholder intelligence, research and evidence, data, and policy knowledge systematically in ways which ensure the English Office’s work is credible and has impact.

Support the production of publications and other products in a range of formats, including our Health Policy Digest electronic newsletter, contributing copy such as summaries of policy papers, case studies and articles and coordinating contributions from colleagues across the NHS Confederation.

Support our stakeholder and political engagement and influencing work. This will include:

o Responsibility for political and stakeholder monitoring and horizon scanning in agreed areas

o Support for meetings with key decision makers and influencers, including researching and drafting briefings for CEO / directors, supporting senior colleagues at external meetings, drafting correspondence with key stakeholders, including ministers and parliamentarians,

o Helping draft parliamentary and stakeholder materials including briefings.

Support the effective online communication of the NHS Confederation's policy work by maintaining systems for ensuring the policy pages of the website are regularly reviewed and updated, creating new pages and uploading new information when required, adding and amending copy, links and documents on the website as requested by members of the team and contributing updates on policy work to the Confederation's corporate social media presence.

Other Organise own workload, managing a range of complex projects, issues and demands

to ensure that work is produced to specification and agreed deadlines; responsible for highlighting to the appropriate manager(s) challenges to delivery in a timely manner.

Support colleagues in the organisation of member and partner meetings and events - including arranging dates, organising venues and catering, liaising with participants, preparing meeting papers and other materials where required, and providing on-the-day support (e.g. delegate reception, note taking).

Undertake regular updating, maintenance and tracking of member and stakeholder

communications through the customer relationship management (CRM) system. Provide support to the wider team in the use of the CRM system as a CRM ‘super-

user’, ensuring that NHS Confederation contacts, member designations, groups and lists are set up accurately and that team members are using them appropriately to manage communications with members and stakeholders

Participate in cross-organisational teams established to implement specific policy influencing, project delivery, income generation or communications projects/ campaigns.

May be required to maintain accurate records of planned and actual expenditure on specified projects and activities (e.g. for a particular work programme or event), in line with the organisation’s Finance processes and procedures, and to take responsibility for ensuring costs are monitored and kept within an agreed budget.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Including Career Path to role (how did you get there)

Essential Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence, including when dealing with very senior

individuals Basic knowledge of both policy research and analysis, and political and stakeholder

engagement Excellent organisational skills with a strong attention to detail Ability to work on own, as well as part of a team Experience of working under pressure and meeting deadlines. Flexible and able to

reorganise and reprioritise work at short notice, using own judgement and initiative Excellent computer skills (including MS Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) A demonstrable interest in health policy Educated to undergraduate degree level or equivalent

Desirable Some knowledge of or experience working in a health service or other public policy-

related environment Experience of working in a member organisation Project planning skills, and experience of supporting the management and delivery of

projects

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SAFETY

This section must not be altered.

However some areas of business require job descriptions to contain clear statements describing responsibilities for health and safety. If this is the case include a concise statement for each distinct responsibility in this section.

SIGNATURES

The job description should be signed by the jobholder and Manager to whom the post reports. Additionally it should be signed off by the appropriate Director.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title:

ATTRIBUTES ESSENTIAL CRITERIA DESIRABLE CRITERIA DEMONSTRATED BY

Experience(for example: in the sector/industry, of being a manager)

Experience of working in a member organisation

Application, Interview or exercise

Knowledge (for example: of the sector, industry, topic area – include educational and vocational qualifications)

Basic knowledge of both policy research and analysis, and political and stakeholder engagement

Educated to undergraduate degree level or equivalent

Some knowledge of or experience working in a health service or other public policy-related environment

Skills(for example: written, presentation, IT)

Excellent interpersonal skills and confidence, including when dealing with very senior individuals

Excellent organisational skills with a strong attention to detail

Ability to work on own, as well as part of a team

Experience of working under pressure and meeting deadlines. Flexible and able to reorganise and reprioritise work at short notice, using own judgement and initiative

Project planning skills, and experience of supporting the management and delivery of projects

Excellent computer skills (including MS Word,

Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) A demonstrable interest in health policy

Other information(for example: it may be desirable to have a driving licence)