Governance and Policy Lead Pandemics

We are currently looking for aGovernance & Policy Lead - Pandemicsto join our Business Operations Function within the Safety & Surveillance 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.

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 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 Safety and Surveillance (S&S) Group brings together into a single integrated structure expertise on the safety of all medical products with enforcement capabilities. These functions are supported by the Agencys data and evidence generating capabilities complementing our signal generating abilities.

Against this background and the drive to improve treatment availability for patients safety remains at the heart of all our decision making across the product life cycle. The central mission of the Safety & Surveillance portfolio is to protect the public by appropriately identifying assessing and managing the risks associated with medical every aspect of this work we harness the best science technology information and professional practice to protect patients in new and impactful ways.

Further to the Government announcing it would establish an independent statutory inquiry into its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic the Inquiry was formally launched in June 2022 with full powers under the Inquiries Act 2005. Around the same time. the Scottish Government committed to a Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry which is also underway. Both inquiries seek to establish the facts about the response to the COVID-19 pandemic to identify lessons for the future. The MHRA has played and continues to play a vital role in supporting the Governments response to pandemics.It will also play an active role in responding to public inquiries regarding pandemics and ensuring that lessons learned from pandemics are acted on.

The Governance and Policy Lead will report to the Pandemics Programme and Strategy Manager within the Regulatory Affairs Business Operations Team and will support regulatory affairs within S&S including preparing all aspects of our response to the Covid-19 public inquiries and ongoing response to broader pandemic preparedness efforts.

Whats the role

The Governance and Policy Lead will play a key role in the MHRAs preparations and response the Covid-19 public inquiries and ongoing response to broader pandemic preparedness efforts to both inquiries. The post holder will work independently and collaboratively as circumstances require in managing pandemic-related governance arrangements and developing the MHRAs strategic narrative providing an overview of how we supported the Government response to the pandemics and how we prepare to continue to do so. This will involve working with cross agency pandemic preparedness and Government Legal Department (GLD) colleagues as well as liaising with Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) counterparts.

The post holder will support the project management of pandemic preparedness activities across the Agency including MHRAs contribution to the Tier 1 cross-government pandemic preparedness exercise in ensuring lessons learned from the Inquiry and from previous pandemic responses translate into future operational and policy planning.

The post-holder will also support more general regulatory affairs and legislative changes in the S&S Group including responding to complex Freedom of Information requests and supporting ongoing legal cases.

Key responsibilities:

• Build relationships and establish effective interfaces with DHSC counterparts lawyers MHRA teams and other bodies to support successful delivery.

• Manage effective Inquiry governance arrangements including secretariat duties facilitating cross- Agency input and working with Government Legal Department and Counsel to successfully prepare for and engage with the Inquiries.

• Play a lead role in developing the MHRA response to requests for evidence commissioned via Rule 9 requests helping to shape the MHRAs narrative and overall approach to collating and disclosing information including supporting current and former MHRA officials in preparing for and potentially giving evidence to the Inquiries

• Prepare project management and governance documentation coordinating activity undertaking regular monitoring and planning identifying / mitigating / escalating risks / issues and supporting contract / budget management ensuring Agency decisions are audited and plans are delivered.

• Lead the coordination and response to COVID-19 and pandemic-related correspondence including Freedom of Information (FOI) requests media enquiries parliamentary questions and public correspondence. This includes managing fluctuating demand around Inquiry hearings and supporting legal disclosure and coroners inquests.

• Ensure that insights and lessons from the COVID-19 Inquiry and other past pandemic responses both domestic and internationalare captured analysed and applied to strengthen the Agencys future preparedness and response capabilities

• Support more general regulatory affairs and legislative changes in the S&S Group including responding to complex Freedom of Information requests and supporting ongoing legal cases.

Who are we looking for

Oursuccessful candidatewill have the following:

• Seeing the Big Picture: Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area. Understand how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.

• Delivering at Pace: Ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues to use to do their job effectively. Regularly monitor your own and teams work against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks. Act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance.

• Communicating and Influencing: Communicate in a straightforward honest and engaging manner choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully taking into consideration the diversity of interests

• Experience of and ability to build excellent working relationships with stakeholders at all levels

• A track record of providing high quality advice and briefing interpreting and succinctly communicating complex information to wider audiences

• Previous programme / project experience including planning and prioritisation

Person Specification:

Method of assessment:AApplication IInterview PPresentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Seeing the Big Picture(A I P)

• Delivering at Pace(A I P)

• Communicating and Influencing(A I P)

Experience Criteria:

• A track record of providing high quality advice and briefing interpreting and succinctly communicating complex information to wider audiences (A I P)

• Previous programme / project experience including planning and prioritisation (A I P)

• Experience of and ability to build excellent working relationships with stakeholders at all levels(A I P)

• Experience working on and responding to public Inquiries and drafting complex regulatory information with consideration for legal implications and public understanding (Lead Criteria) - (A I P)

Technical Criteria:

• Strong IT skills with the ability to effectively use in a project environment including Word PowerPoint and Excel (A)

• A degree (desirable in a scientific discipline) or equivalent experience. (A)

Strengths Criteria:

• Efficient(I)

• Explainer(I)

• Resilient (I)

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:Experience working on and responding to public Inquiries and drafting complex regulatory information with consideration for legal implications and public understanding.

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

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application however all examples and statements provided must be truthful factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others or generated by artificial intelligence as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see ourcandidate guidancefor more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

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

Closing date:05 March 2026

Shortlisting date: From 06 March 2026

Interview date:w/c 23^rdMarch2026

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.

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.

Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary or the pay band minimum whichever is the greater.

The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency unless there are special circumstances such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.

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

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

Civil Service Commission

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1Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ