Job description

Job responsibilities

The Policy Associate will be responsible for undertaking policy work and analysis within the team, working closely with Senior Policy Advisers and the Deputy Director of Policy to support the delivery of the teams work programme and the organisations Strategic Impact Goals.

• They will work closely with member insight, data and statistics and policy materials to develop and deliver high quality and impactful policy advice and products.
• They will provide project support to senior policy advisers in the policy teams and may also cover member event support.
• They will also work with Deputy Director of Policy and Communications colleagues to respond to reactive media requests, and to develop on the day briefings for members, on key policy announcements.
• They will also build relevant strategic relationships internally and externally to support our policy and advocacy work and maximise its relevance and impact.

Key relationships.The postholder will build strong relationships with:

• Members
• Relevant officials from the Department of Health and Social Care and arms-length Bodies such as NHS England and NHS Improvement
• Staff from across the wider NHS Confederation including the regional team, communications, membership and public affairs staff
• Partner organisations and key stakeholders including, but not limited to, LGA, ADASS, NHS Providers, Royal Colleges, Richmond Group, Healthwatch and National Voice

Policy and influencing. The postholder will undertake policy work and analysis that:

• Provides insight on key issues, that helps the organisation to move forward with influencing work, including positioning on areas and topics
• Is closely based on member priorities and draws on their expertise and knowledge in the development of policy thinking
• Delivers high quality and insightful products that provide value for members and are influential on their behalf
• Is aligned with work across the organisation and creates synergies with the work of other teams
• Is informed by processes to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the policy and influencing work

Delivering member services. The postholder will be responsible for the development and delivery of a wide range of services to members, including:

• Through policy analysis, best practice reports, research projects connecting members with the latest policy thinking
• Through briefings to help inform health and care leaders of the key issues of the day
• And by contributing to the NHS Confederations events programme, including meetings with senior leaders from the system, and high-profile events and conferences.

Communications and Media. The postholder will actively seek out opportunities to proactively promote the work of the NHS Confederation through:

• Working closely with the press and media, and the NHS Confederations media team, providing comment and background briefing on topical health stories and issues
• Ensuring members receive relevant and timely updates from the NHS Confederation about its work and national developments of interest to members through blogs and member updates.

Team Skills. The postholder will support the development of a high performing team through:

• Working flexibly and responsively to needs ensuring effective prioritisation and meeting short-notice deadlines as required
• Supporting Senior Policy Advisers and the Deputy Director of Policy with the delivery of high quality and impactful policy work
• Demonstrating initiative and a proactive approach to the delivery of policy work that adds value and anticipates needs
• Investing in own personal development through feedback and continuous learning
• Building effective working relationships with colleagues, contributing to effective team dynamics, and deputising for Senior Policy Advisers as appropriate

Management ResponsibilityNA

Budget Management NA

Job responsibilities

The Policy Associate will be responsible for undertaking policy work and analysis within the team, working closely with Senior Policy Advisers and the Deputy Director of Policy to support the delivery of the teams work programme and the organisations Strategic Impact Goals.

• They will work closely with member insight, data and statistics and policy materials to develop and deliver high quality and impactful policy advice and products.
• They will provide project support to senior policy advisers in the policy teams and may also cover member event support.
• They will also work with Deputy Director of Policy and Communications colleagues to respond to reactive media requests, and to develop on the day briefings for members, on key policy announcements.
• They will also build relevant strategic relationships internally and externally to support our policy and advocacy work and maximise its relevance and impact.

Key relationships.The postholder will build strong relationships with:

• Members
• Relevant officials from the Department of Health and Social Care and arms-length Bodies such as NHS England and NHS Improvement
• Staff from across the wider NHS Confederation including the regional team, communications, membership and public affairs staff
• Partner organisations and key stakeholders including, but not limited to, LGA, ADASS, NHS Providers, Royal Colleges, Richmond Group, Healthwatch and National Voice

Policy and influencing. The postholder will undertake policy work and analysis that:

• Provides insight on key issues, that helps the organisation to move forward with influencing work, including positioning on areas and topics
• Is closely based on member priorities and draws on their expertise and knowledge in the development of policy thinking
• Delivers high quality and insightful products that provide value for members and are influential on their behalf
• Is aligned with work across the organisation and creates synergies with the work of other teams
• Is informed by processes to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the policy and influencing work

Delivering member services. The postholder will be responsible for the development and delivery of a wide range of services to members, including:

• Through policy analysis, best practice reports, research projects connecting members with the latest policy thinking
• Through briefings to help inform health and care leaders of the key issues of the day
• And by contributing to the NHS Confederations events programme, including meetings with senior leaders from the system, and high-profile events and conferences.

Communications and Media. The postholder will actively seek out opportunities to proactively promote the work of the NHS Confederation through:

• Working closely with the press and media, and the NHS Confederations media team, providing comment and background briefing on topical health stories and issues
• Ensuring members receive relevant and timely updates from the NHS Confederation about its work and national developments of interest to members through blogs and member updates.

Team Skills. The postholder will support the development of a high performing team through:

• Working flexibly and responsively to needs ensuring effective prioritisation and meeting short-notice deadlines as required
• Supporting Senior Policy Advisers and the Deputy Director of Policy with the delivery of high quality and impactful policy work
• Demonstrating initiative and a proactive approach to the delivery of policy work that adds value and anticipates needs
• Investing in own personal development through feedback and continuous learning
• Building effective working relationships with colleagues, contributing to effective team dynamics, and deputising for Senior Policy Advisers as appropriate

Management ResponsibilityNA

Budget Management NA

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Track record in delivering research, consultancy or policy-related work
• Knowledge of contemporary health policy, service delivery challenges and the wider NHS
• Understanding of the UK political environment and the operation of government
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to write accessible and compelling policy narratives
• Demonstrable communication and the ability to build strong personal relationships
• The ability to be responsive and agile in a rapidly changing environment and to work under pressure to meet deadlines

Desirable

• Exposure to health strategy or policy work
• Record of working collaboratively with partner organisations to build coalitions and achieve shared goals
• Experience of working with press and media
• Ability to produce work closely informed by member priorities and needs

Experience

Essential

• Track record in delivering research, consultancy or policy-related work
• Knowledge of contemporary health policy, service delivery challenges and the wider NHS
• Understanding of the UK political environment and the operation of government
• Well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to write accessible and compelling policy narratives
• Demonstrable communication and the ability to build strong personal relationships
• The ability to be responsive and agile in a rapidly changing environment and to work under pressure to meet deadlines

Desirable

• Exposure to health strategy or policy work
• Record of working collaboratively with partner organisations to build coalitions and achieve shared goals
• Experience of working with press and media
• Ability to produce work closely informed by member priorities and needs

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Confederation

Address

2nd Floor

18 Smith Square

London

Westminster

SW1P 3HZ

Employer's website

https://www.nhsconfed.org/ (Opens in a new tab)