Policy and Public Affairs Executive

Job Title: Policy and Public Affairs Executive

Location: London

Salary: £28,000 – £32,000

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Do you want to make the world a better, healthier place? Are you passionate about the role of public health? Are you obsessed with improving public policy?

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) is the world’s oldest public health organisation, with 170 years of history and a Royal Charter.

As a charity, we are well placed to make a real difference to the lives of people in the UK (and beyond) through our ability to create policy which influences and informs. Our independence means we can demonstrate leadership in areas others may not and our large membership base along with reach through qualifications and programmes means we have a significant stakeholder base to help us meet our aspirations.

This is an exciting time to join RSPH. In recent months, public health policy and debate have progressed at high speed, with national and local policies and interventions that are complex and ever-changing. You will work as part of a proactive, energetic and fast-paced policy and external affairs team who will rise to the new challenges in improving public health in the four nations of the UK. You will have a varied role, with the opportunity to draw on expertise from RSPH members from multiple disciplines, professions and members of the public.

The role:

• Develop sound evidence by bringing together the latest research, lived experience insight and international best practice, and produce high quality reactive and proactive publications that make robust recommendations for policy and practice
• Work with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs to raise the profile of RSPH and influence policy debates, by monitoring policy developments and parliamentary debates, writing briefing papers on key external announcements and building relationships with parliamentarians and civil servants
• Undertake external engagement activity related to RSPH campaigns and policy work, including with RSPH members, policy and public health professionals and public to communicate the evidence base and champion solutions that will improve the experiences and life chances of people across four nations
• Undertake regular media monitoring to proactively identify opportunities for RSPH to comment, draft press releases and statements, maintain media contacts database and media highlights board
• Support RSPH’s wider learning agenda, working across teams and membership to track and maximise our policy and organisational impact
• Work with the Head of Policy and the Head of Engagement on income generating activity to support RSPH, including funding bids, sponsorship and commercial partnership development.

Competencies:

We need people who are excited about developing and championing policy solutions that will improve the public’s health and wellbeing. In addition to your clear motivation, we would like you to show skills and competencies, listed below:

Essential:

• Clear Analysis
  • Ability to grasp ideas quickly, take complex information on board, identify key issues and find solutions.
• Clear Communication
  • Ability to write clearly, concisely, and accurately.
  • Experience of writing press releases, consultation responses, briefings, and research reports.
• Interpersonal Skills
  • Be politically astute, and have experience working with stakeholders who have differing views to influence, persuade and negotiate policy aims.
• Team Working
  • Value collaborative approaches to work, and be willing to develop strong, positive working relationships across the organisation.
• Flexibility
  • Ability to think and work flexibly to respond to an ever-evolving political and economic environment.

Desirable:

• Research or design Skills
  • Ability to bring data, design, and digital tools to policy teams, e.g. design policy around the lived experiences of those affected.
• Public Health Knowledge
  • Knowledge of public health policy landscape.
• Lived experience
  • Lived experience of inequalities and their health consequences.

Benefits:

• Pension contributions
• 25 days annual leave
• Organisational commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of our employees
• Flexible working hours and remote working opportunities
• Most importantly, the opportunity to change the world whilst working in a friendly team

Closing Date: 8th August.

Please note:

Please click the APPLY button and to submit your CV and Cover Letter.

Candidates with experience of; Healthcare Policy Advisor, Public Affairs, Policy coordinator, Policy Manager, Policy Adviser, Non-Profit Programme Manager, Public Sector Policy Management, Policy officer, Public affairs, officer Committee Support Officer will also be considered for this role.