Policy and Public Affairs Assistant
THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ANAESTHETISTS
Clinical Quality and Research
Full-time
Listed today
Policy and Public Affairs Assistant Directorate: Clinical Quality and Research Reports to: Head of Policy and Public Affairs Band: B 1.1 Job purpose The Policy and Public Affairs Assistant plays an important role in supporting the policy and influencing work of the RCoA and the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC). This role involves monitoring the political and policy environment, collating and conducting research, producing briefings, helping to develop credible policy proposals and reports, and influencing Government and other stakeholders to implement our ideas – as well as providing general administrative support to the team. Internally, this role works alongside other teams within the College, such as the Research Team and the Marketing and Communications Team. Externally, this role may liaise with a wide range of stakeholders, such as other Royal Colleges, national and local NHS bodies, MPs, Ministers and Civil Servants in relevant Government departments. 1.2 Key tasks and responsibilities Policy, Research and Influencing • Monitor the political and policy environment to keep track of things like Government / NHS initiatives and influencing opportunities • Collate and help analyse existing quantitative and qualitative research to produce briefings, help generate policy proposals and facilitate their implementation • Assist the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and Policy and Public Affairs Officer to devise and implement influencing plans directed towards politicians, the NHS or relevant stakeholders • Prepare and draft responses to consultations and reports relevant to the work of CPOC and the College, ensuring responses are evidence-based and in line with on-going policy work and strategy • Assist with designing and conducting new research, such as survey work or interviews, in support of policy and influencing work • Be the Team’s main expert on policy work in one of the UK devolved nations – likely Northern Ireland and represent the Policy and Public Affairs Team on RCoA’s board for that nation • Engage with and support the role of other relevant internal boards and committees, providing reports, updates, papers and information for meetings and reports • Work closely with the Marketing and Communications Team to support the College’s communications work, such as by regular liaison and briefing, helping draft press releases and writing blogs • Work closely with cross-departmental colleagues to ensure that policy influencing work integrated with and actively supports, other team activities and is closely organisational objectives and priorities – and key external partners Support the College / CPOC’s efforts to raise new funds • Page 1 of 3 Membership Engagement • Assist the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and Policy Officer to ensure that our policy and influencing work speaks to members’ needs • Help ensure that members are engaged with and have a sense of ownership over our policy and influencing work Relationship Management / Customer Service Management • Support the Head of Policy and Public Affairs and Policy Officer in delivering the team’s wider priorities and enhancing its reputation among the College’s membership, external and internal stakeholders and fostering a positive culture • Engage in cross-departmental and cross-organisational collaborative working • Manage the College / CPOC’s stakeholder tracker and assist with engagement activities, helping to build and manage external networks that positively enhance our profile and reputation, and deliver impact, including with Ministers, Senior Civil Servants, Parliamentarians, thinktanks, arms-length bodies, partners and alliances Other Duties • Provide general administrative support to the Policy and Public Affairs Team, such as developing meeting agendas and taking minutes, where needed • Undertake any other reasonable activities as requested by the Head of Policy and Public Affairs, relevant Director or Chief Executive and deputise for Policy and Public Affairs Team members, where appropriate and required • Adhere to relevant legal and statutory requirements including around Data Protection, consistently model the College’s values and actively manage your own personal development 1.3 Qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience • Ability to deliver quality work at pace in a dynamic environment with competing • priorities Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders • Dedicated, well organised, and a willingness to learn • Good understanding of both quantitative and qualitative research methods and how they can inform good policy proposals • Good understanding of factors that go into making credible policy proposals that produce meaningful impact • Understanding of how to influence politicians and policymakers to adopt the policies we propose - including how to use research for influencing purposes • Good understanding of current UK health policy and the health policy environment – including relevant Government and NHS plans • Understanding of and ability to work in, a membership organisation, including working closely with and understanding the needs of a broad range of members, working innovatively and collaboratively to engage them in policy work Educated to degree level, or equivalent experience • Desirable: • Experience of paid or voluntary work in a policy, public affairs, political influencing or campaigns environment • Experience of working with alliances and networks • Experience in the health or social care sector • Relevant postgraduate qualification / training Page 2 of 3 Signature: .................................................................................................................................. 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