Policy Lead

Details
Reference number

438615

Salary

£58,655

In addition once the role holder has completed their probationary period (usually 6 months) they will become eligible to receive a pay premium allowance of £4,399 per annum. This pay premium allowance is non contractual and non pensionable.

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Level 5 (Equivalent Grade Level G7)

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

IBCA - Digital

Type of role

Policy

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours

Number of jobs available

2

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

About the job
Job summary

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) is a new arm's-length body set up, at unprecedented pace, to administer compensation to people whose lives have been impacted by the infected blood scandal.

IBCA will ensure payment is made in recognition of the wrongs experienced by those who have been infected by HIV, Hepatitis B or C, as well as those who love and care for them. They have been frustrated and distressed by the delays in achieving proper recognition, and we must help put this right.

We are committed to putting the infected and affected blood community at the centre of every decision we make and every step we take to build our organisation to deliver compensation payments.

IBCA employees will be public servants. If successful in this role you will be appointed directly into IBCA, on IBCA terms and conditions as a public servant.

Successful applicants will join the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Please note that the mission of IBCA means that it is likely to be operational for a period of approximately 5 to 7 years. When IBCA's work begins to wind down, IBCA employees will receive support and practical guidance to find a new role, whether in the Civil Service, another Arms Length Body (ALB), or an external employer.

Job description

Our Policy Leads will be core members of our operational policy team, responsible for ensuring the effective interpretation of regulations and informing the design of the compensation service. Your focus will be on developing coherent policy to ensure the ongoing design of the service aligns with policy intent and user need, contributing to a cohesive and integrated approach.

The Policy Lead position offers a unique opportunity to shape and deliver the design and development of this critical service. Reporting to the Head of Policy, you will be working at the heart of the service enabling you to spearhead the design and implementation of novel and complex policy issues and guidance through working with multi-disciplinary teams.

You will be working at all levels of the organisation from direct working with operational and digital teams to senior officials within IBCA, Cabinet Office, the IBCA Board and other key stakeholders. Given that this is a relatively new Division, you will have the unique opportunity to define and instil our values and behaviours, ensuring that the team is an inclusive and fulfilling working environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate strategically with colleagues across IBCA to identify emerging issues and opportunities to influence key policy decisions, offering expert advice on responses to significant policy developments, initiatives, and consultations.
• Provide high-level guidance and support across the authority to enhance service delivery, ensuring alignment with policy objectives and responsiveness to user needs.
• Work as part of multi-disciplinary teams designing the compensation service bringing high quality and accurate policy steers to inform the service design.
• Demonstrate deep subject matter expertise to inform policy objectives and influence and steer service design and implementation.
• Proactively manage policy briefings by identifying relevant topics, scoping issues, and producing high-quality written materials that enhance IBCA's service and influence.
• Work with Cabinet Office to interpret and provide advice which meets legislative requirements whilst understanding the service needs.
• Provide pro-active and responsive policy advice to senior stakeholders including the IBCA Board and ExCo.

Person specification

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience of providing expert advice and succinctly interpreting and communicating policy decisions and rationale to wider stakeholders.
• Ability to absorb, interpret and analyse a range of complex information.
• Ability to build and foster close and trusted relationships with numerous stakeholders, and confidence in working with senior officials.
• Experience working with digital and operational teams to interpret policy at speed to inform service design.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,655, Infected Blood Compensation Authority contributes £16,992 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Premium allowance paid monthly after probation
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%
• 32.5 days of paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Family friendly policies to support you and your everyday responsibilities
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave, up to 12 months shared parental leave

Recent changes in skilled worker visa eligibility mean that a Skilled Worker must have a job offer in an eligible skilled occupation from a Home Office-approved sponsor. From 22 July 2025, the job must normally be skilled to level 6 (graduate level) on the Regulated Qualifications Framework for England and Northern Ireland, or the equivalent level in Wales or Scotland, or be included on either the Immigration Salary List or the Temporary Shortage List. Please be aware that if the role is not eligible for a skilled worker visa that we will be unable to provide sponsorship.

Things you need to know
Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and Statement of Suitability. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

As part of your application, you will be required to provide a CV setting out your career history and experience, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant to the essential criteria in the person specification section of the job advert.

Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 1000 words) to explain how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification section of the job advert.

Selection process

Should you be successful at sift, you will be invited to attend an interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – Week commencing 08/12/2025

Expected interview date/s – Week Commencing 15/12/2025

Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the 'Assistance required' section in the 'Additional requirements' page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to IBCA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website)

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the IBCA if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

PLEASE NOTE: IBCA employees are public servants, therefore the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNR) do not apply. Candidates who do not meet the CSNR are welcome to apply and applications will not be rejected: successful candidates however will be subject to a Right to Work check to work within the UK.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants
Job contact :

• Name : IBCA Recruitment Team
• Email :

Recruitment team

• Email :

Further information

Our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact the Resourcing Team

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