External Affairs Specialist

We are currently looking for anExternal Affairs Specialistto join ourCommunications and Engagement Function within the Enablement group.

This is a full-time opportunity on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade Canary Wharf London E14 4PU. 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 MHRA Communications and Engagement Function is a multi-award-winning team that has a consistent track-record of achievement and providing value for money. Our focus is to support the agency to deliver its business outcomes by putting patients and the public at the centre of all our work. We are organised in the following teams: News and Media Communications Patient and Public Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Experience.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the MHRAs newly established External Affairs team which sits within our Communications and Engagement function

We know that the world of communications is changing with newspapers in serious decline and more people getting their news from Facebook than the Sun. Strategic engagement has never been more important.

The core purpose of our new External Affairs function is to build relationships with priority audiences and trusted advocates to provide credible voices that can rise above the noise. We want to encourage influential voices to be advocates of the MHRA and ensure that their voices are listened to in the decision-making of the agency.

Whats the role

The External Affairs Specialist will be responsible for helping to shape effective external affairs strategies for some of the most exciting developments in health and life sciences.

Among other things the post-holder will be responsible for leading communications and stakeholder engagement strategies that help get important public health messages to the right people strengthen our reputation and inform wider agency decision-making.

Key responsibilities:

• Act as a lead communications specialist and develop and deliver communication strategies to identify and inform priority external stakeholders in a managed way.
• Provide expert advice on external affairs and stakeholder engagement giving high-quality strategic counsel to senior leaders across the agency.
• Proactively build and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of corporate objectives
• Leverage communications opportunities identified through monitoring of the external landscape and feed insight into communications planning

Who are we looking for

Oursuccessful candidatewill demonstrate the following.

• Ability to quickly understand a complex business and political environment

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills both written and oral with the ability to accurately and confidently communicate influence and challenge staff and external contacts at all levels.

• Demonstrable track record of developing communications and engagement strategies and delivering complex programmes and campaigns using a range of communications tools and techniques.

• Excellent experience in engaging and mapping out key stakeholders to communicate key messages.

• Proven experience of working well under pressure and at pace and ability to strategically maintain a number of communication channels.

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 Profiles.Please 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 Communicating and Influencing.

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 competency-based 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:17^th November 2025

Shortlisting date: from 19^th November 2025

Interview date: from 27^th November 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 pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must completebasic personnel security standard checks.

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations and in some circumstances routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens

• Maintenance roles particularly those required to work in laboratory settings

• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required

• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

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 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 Tax-Free 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 OleylamiHead 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