Policy Lead

We are currently recruiting for a range of policy roles across UK Health Security Agency’s Strategy, Policy & Programmes Group.

This group sets the strategic direction for UKHSA, develops policy across the full breadth of our mission - from Covid and other infectious diseases, to anti-microbial resistance, the health impacts of air pollution and climate change, and the breadth of work required for contingency planning for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents or a future pandemic. We play a critical coordination and integration role to make sure UKHSA is greater than the sum of its parts.

We are seeking policy professionals who enjoy working in multi-disciplinary teams, who are confident and creative when developing rigorous policy that draws on the best available evidence and who want to make a difference to health security across the UK.

Some of our roles also draw on programme management disciplines and/or are more focussed on engagement or briefing work, always with a focus on delivering policy that makes a difference. Please get in touch if you want to talk about your experience and skills.

**In this role, your work is likely to include**:

- Leading a policy unit to develop high-quality policy. You might be developing policy in response to a new priority or managing and improving our current approach. Your unit will carry out the full policy lifecycle, collecting and analysing evidence, using creativity and judgement to recommend a solution. You will play a key role in setting the direction, approach and ambition for the work.
- Working in multi-disciplinary teams to develop rigorous, creative solutions, working across UKHSA with public health professionals, analysts, operational teams, financial/commercial experts, and with DHSC policy teams. You will set a tone of confident collaboration and mutual respect with strong cross-functional relationships that go beyond the immediate task.
- Working with stakeholders to improve our overall impact - you can expect to spend a good portion of your week building relationships across UKHSA and engaging with delivery partners and across government. You will share information and assurance, seek input and support, and persuade others to act to support our health protection goals.
- Leadership and management for colleagues to create a high performing, inclusive and resilient unit. You will need to support your team to deliver on high profile issues while managing the ongoing change inherent in any new agency. We’ll expect you to provide leadership to build an inclusive culture and to play a part in our corporate development.

The impact of infectious diseases, our changing climate, biological threats and wider health risks have made us all more aware of how important it is to feel ‘health secure’ or to be protected from an ever-increasing range of dangers to our health.

The UK Health Security Agency is constantly working - globally, regionally and locally - to prepare for, prevent and respond to the health threats we face. And we are here for every person, in every community. As the nation’s new health security agency, we are relentlessly focused on protecting the public.

The impact we make is profound. We bring together world-leading science, data analytics and operational expertise, and partner with industry, academia and government. This empowers us to be ready, act quickly and keep the nation safe.

The selection will focus on the following 4 behaviours at Grade 6 level
1. Making effective decisions - in particular ‘Analyse and accurately interpret data from various sourcesFind the best optionPresent reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex and sometimes incomplete evidence.’
2. Working together - in particular ‘Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on shared objectives. Challenge assumptions while being willing to compromise.’ and ‘Understand the varying needs of the team to ensure they are supported and their experiences are utilised. Create an inclusive working environment.’
3. Communicating and influencing - in particular ‘Communicate with others in a clear, honest and enthusiastic way in order to build trust. Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understandDeliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, being persuasive when required.’
4. Delivering at pace - in particular ‘Ensure everyone clearly understands and owns their roles, responsibilities and business priorities... Ensure delivery of timely quality outcomes through providing the right resources to do the job, reviewing and adjusting performance expectations and rewarding success.’

**STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT**:
**Please note**: The system will not restrict your wordcount, however only the first 1000 words will be considered

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview

STAGE 2 - INTERVIEW

Interviews will include a brief presentation (the