Principal Policy Specialist

We are currently looking for two Principal Policy Specialiststo join our Policyand Regulatory ReformTeams within the Partnerships group.

*** Please note this opportunity is currently only available to those working within the Civil Service. Applications from nonCivil Servants will not be reviewed and will be rejected. ***

These are fulltime opportunities on a permanentbasis. The roles will be based in 10 South Colonnade Canary Wharf London. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible hybrid way of working with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role this can flex up to 12 days a month with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

Who are we

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhances and improves the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices underpinned by science and research.

The Partnerships group is responsible for shaping policy to guide the MHRAs operations for developing the national and international partnerships that the MHRA needs to be successful and for transforming and modernising the legal regime for medicines and medical devices which underpins the MHRAs work.

We are working on issues that are at the heart of public health fast safe access to medicines and medical devices working with industry and other health Arms Length Bodies; tackling public health regulatory issues as they arise; and supporting the future of the life sciences industry in the UK. We do all this while ensuring the voice of patients is at the heart of our work.

Whats the role

We are recruiting two G7 Principal Policy Specialist roles to join the Partnerships group one role in the Policy Team and one role in the Regulatory Reform Team. Please specify in your application if you have a preference for either of the two roles.

The Policy Team within Partnerships drives MHRA policy development on crosscutting areas and ensures consistency and high quality of the Agencys core policy activities. The team has a strong reactive crossAgency role. We are responsive to emerging policy issues problem solving and leading high profile regulatory policy development. Current examples include offering Government advice on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill. We work collaboratively with the MHRAs technical subject matter experts and other Government departments to find the right answer to complex policy questions focusing on patient safety and public health. This enables team members to develop expertise across a range of regulatory areas giving significant personal development opportunity.

The Regulatory Reform Team leads the MHRAs legislative changes to modernise and improve the regulatory regime for UK medicines and medical devices manages our relationship with Europe and how our regulatory regime interacts with EU work collaboratively with subject matter experts across the MHRA drawing views from external stakeholders and other Government departments to understand complex regulatory challenges develop solutions and implement new legislation where required.

The roles will involve some line management responsibilities with potential matrix management of other colleagues to deliver specific projects.

We are looking for talented committed policy professionals who are seeking a fastpaced varied role working on highprofile issues which demands the ability to get to the heart of technical issues quickly and translate them for nontechnical audiences.

Key responsibilities:

Role 1 Policy Team

• Lead conversations internally and with external stakeholders bringing different perspectives together to understand policy and technical challenges and creating a shared sense of purpose through highlighting connections between our work and the impact on patients and the public.
• Oversee core policy activities of the team and advise MHRA colleagues on parliamentary and government processes ensuring clear understanding of what is expected and quality assuring materials for Ministers and Parliament.
• Contribute to the development of crosscutting policy guidance and legislation as needed working with lawyers and MHRA technical experts on matters relating to the regulation of medicines and healthcare products ensuring these are aligned with Government and MHRA strategic priorities.
• Multitask and manage competing priorities and deadlines ensuring key deliverables are delivered on time and to high standardcommunicating complex regulatory policy into clear and concise policy recommendations to advise Ministers and senior officials and support key decision making.

Role 2 Regulatory Reform Team

• Lead delivery of regulatory reform working across the MHRA with other government departments and lawyers to develop regulatory reform policy and legislation ensuring these are aligned with Government and MHRA strategic priorities.
• Manage crossAgency teams to lead new regulatory reforms through the process of public consultation government response crossgovernment clearances and parliamentary process. Advise colleagues on those processes ensuring clear understanding of what is expected and quality assuring materials for Ministers and Parliament.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders. Leading conversations internally and externally such as industry trade associations the NHS DHSC and other Government departments bringing different perspectives together to understand regulatory issues potential impact of future regulatory changes and develop proposals for reform.
• Prepare and present highquality briefing and policy documents communicating complex regulatory policy into concise proposals and recommendations to advise Ministers and senior policy officials and support key decision making on regulatory reforms.

Who are we looking for

Oursuccessful candidatewill have:

• Substantial policy experience in the civil service or other organisations which give understanding of working in public sector
• Experience or understanding of how government and/or parliament operates.
• The Behaviours of Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Working Together Leadershipand Delivering at Pace

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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The selection process:

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidatesfind out more here.

• Online application form including questions based on theBehaviour Experience and Technical Success ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
• Presentation to be prepared as part of your interview with further information being supplied when you reach this stage.
• Interview which can include questions based on theBehaviour Experience Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of Behaviour Leadership.

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competencybased answers provided ensure you have read these thoroughly and allowsufficienttime. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others or generated by artificial intelligence as your own.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process please contact as soon as possible.

Closing date:11 June 2025

Shortlisting date: 12 16 June 2025

Interview date:W/C 23 June 2025

Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questionsplease contact

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality information on whether you are able to apply is availablehere.

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and prolife activism checks. People working with government assets must completebasic personnel security standard checks.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be as part of preemployment 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 applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes including TaxFree Childcare. Determine your eligibilityhere.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries please contact.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointmenton the basis ofmerit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint you should firstly contact Florentina Oyelami Head of Talent Acquisition .

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at:

Civil Service Commission

Room G/8

1Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ