About the job

Summary

The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU or South Mimms, Potters Bar, EN6 3QG . Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Informal hybrid working arrangements may be available as agreed with the line manager.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The agency employs c.1300 staff working in two locations and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

Job description

About the Directorate

The Partnerships Directorate is responsible for shaping the policy to guide the MHRA’s operations, for developing the national, international and commercial partnerships that the MHRA will need to be successful; and for transforming and modernised the legal regime for medicines and medical devices which underpins all of our work.

We will be working on issues that are at the heart of public health – fast, safe access to medicines and medical devices, working with industry and NHS and other health ALBs; tackling global health threats such as COVID19 and possible future pandemics, and AMR; supporting the future of the life sciences industry in the UK. We will do all this while ensuring the voice of patients is at the heart of our work

The Directorate will work as one team, to a common and shared vision and work programme. Team members will have core responsibilities and accountabilities, including delivering projects which cut across the whole of the Directorate’s responsibilities. This will ensure we are effective, spotting common agendas across our work; efficient and flexible, using our time and energy to deliver on the top priorities; and expert, with team members building their knowledge and networks on particular regulatory areas.

We are excited by our future. We are looking for talented, committed policy professionals who are seeking a role which has real impact and offers significant personal development. Do join us and help make our vision into reality.

Role Purpose

We are recruiting four SEO Policy Leads to join the Partnerships Directorate; we are currently seeking one full-time role and three for a fixed period to end March 2023. These roles will work on policy, partnerships development, or regulatory reform – and sometimes all three. There will be great opportunities to collaborate with experts across MHRA and NHS and other health organisations and tackle high profile issues which have an impact on public health, patients and industry. The Partnerships Directorate is building its new role and those joining us will be active in shaping what we work on and how we work.

The successful candidates are most likely to work initially on the following areas:

• COVID-19 Policy MHRA authorized the first COVID-19 vaccines globally – and has continued to be at the forefront of the regulation of new vaccines and treatments. We are now also preparing to respond to the forthcoming Inquiry, addressing regulatory and legal issues as they arise, as well as ensuring we will be on the front foot as new vaccines to tackle variants are developed.

• International Partnerships Strategy: MHRA works across the world, in partnerships with other regulators, with multilateral agencies like the WHO, and with other countries. A new International Strategy is being developed, with the ambition that we grow our international partnerships, to better deliver for patients and industry.

Other areas of work that the postholders can become engaged with are:

• National Partnerships: Building partnerships across the UK – with NHS and health organisations, academia and industry.

• Regulatory Reform: Developing medicines and medical devices regulatory practice and legislation, building on national and international best practice.

• Policy: Shaping the way the MHRA works, by developing policy and driving change across the MHRA. We are currently working to ensure the swift, safe access to medicines for people in the UK; for ensuring the delivery of the Life Sciences Vision; defining the MHRA’s role in tackling global health security threats, such as AMR; contributing to Net Zero through medicines and medical devices environmental sustainability. One role will focus on our ongoing central work on Covid 19 regulation and policy – as the Covid 19 inquiry gets underway, and as new vaccines and therapeutics are developed.

There will be opportunities to become involved in particular priority partnerships, getting to know the way other health organisations work, to develop skills in delivering across organisational boundaries, to represent the MHRA externally with trade associations, international and international partnerships, and academics; and to develop new new regulations – communicating complex regulatory policy into concise succinct policy recommendations; engaging with international regulators and the wider health and life science community.

Agency Values

• We focus outwards on patients and public

• We work together with respect.

• We take responsibility and are accountable

Responsibilities

Person Specification

Seeing the Big Picture - Ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies.

Communicating and influencing - Communicate clearly, honestly and enthusiastically with others in order to build trust. Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand taking into account people’s individual needs. Deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity, being persuasive when required.

Working together - Actively build and maintain a network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on shared objectives.

Developing Self and Others - Identify areas individuals and teams need to develop in order to achieve future objectives. Support colleagues to take responsibility for their own learning and development.

Substantial experience in the civil service, regulatory policy or other organisations, which give understanding of working in public sector.

Career experience in health policy or life sciences, particularly in regulation, is highly desirable.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role

• An environment with flexible working options

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

• A Civil Service pension