Senior Policy Adviser (Maternity cover)

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Job Scope

The Royal Society is seeking an enthusiastic person to join as a Senior Policy Adviser on our health programme within the People and Planet policy team for a 12 month maternity cover contract. This position is suitable for an efficient and dynamic person who forms excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders and is confident in delivering a number of concurrently running work streams. It would suit someone with an interest in and good working knowledge of the health landscape who wishes to make a tangible difference across society.

The People and Planet policy team deal with issues ranging from human health to biodiversity and the environment, and currently comprises 11 members of staff in the team within a Section of approximately 50 in Science Policy. This pivotal role involves working closely with the Head of Policy to implement a strategy for our human health programme - focussed on the principle of prevention - devising and delivering appropriate programmes of work to enact that strategy. It will involve working closely with world-class experts from the Society's Fellowship and beyond, convening working groups, synthesising evidence and presenting it in accessible and persuasive manner for both technical and lay audiences. The post holder will have experience at the science/policy interface and an active interest in public health or a relevant discipline.

As a Senior Policy Adviser at the Royal Society you will be responsible for leading projects and programmes of work. You will be adept at networking, motivating colleagues, building interdisciplinary relationships and advising committees, senior staff and Fellows. You will have experience of assessing and reporting on technical information in a clear and concise manner, writing influential documents for diverse audiences. A creative thinker and effective problem solver, you will have experience in one or more relevant areas of science policy or a proven ability to transfer between policy domains. Your work in this role will be varied and highly visible. This role also requires occasional domestic UK travel and early morning/late evening commitments. It has the possibility of line management.

This Senior Policy Advisor role is primarily focussed within the People and Planet Team, but many of the issues it deals with will have clear overlap with work led by the Society's other major policy themes - data, education, emerging technology and policy for science. You will be expected to have the versatility and breadth of skills to support work in other programmes as the need arises. Whilst the Society's policy work is led by the science policy team, we also work closely with colleagues in Communications, Public Affairs, Public Engagement, International Affairs and Industry Programme teams to deliver outcomes.

We typically undertake the following activities on topics that reflect the Society's priorities:

• Projects: Analysing the scientific evidence relating to major policy issues in collaboration with other experts
• Reports & publications: Producing reports, statements, consultation responses and other publications on a regular basis
• Events: Bringing together policymakers and scientists to discuss current topics in science policy

This position is suitable for an efficient and dynamic person who forms excellent working relationships with a range of stakeholders, and is confident in delivering a number of concurrently running work streams. It would suit someone with an interest or working knowledge of the health landscape and wishes to make a tangible difference across society.

About the Royal Society

The Royal Society is the independent scientific academy of the UK. The Society's mission is to recognise, promote, and support excellence in science and to encourage the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. Science is vital to many areas of policy making and the Society seeks to ensure the government and the public have access to impartial and independent expert advice to inform debate and guide good decision making. The Royal Society provides independent, timely and authoritative scientific advice to UK and international decision makers. We champion the contribution that science can make to economic prosperity, quality of life and environmental sustainability, and are a hub for debate about science, society and public policy.

The Science Policy section comprises around 50 staff working across a range of themes and policy areas, according to scientific and policy priorities. It works in partnership with businesses, national academies, learned societies, charities and government, and deploys a wide range of channels and approaches - from the delivery of major reports to rapid shorter statements, the creation of influential networks, skilful use of the Society's digital and media channels, and well-founded programmes of events. The Society continues to develop and look for innovative approaches that will increase its influence in national and international policy debates.

Reports to: Head of Policy- People and Planet

Line manages: N/A

Location: Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG plus hybrid remote working

Pay Band: E

Salary: £55,400 per annum

Contract type: 12 month fixed term maternity cover

Hours: 35 hours per week (full time)

Closing date for applications: 9am, 20 May 2024

Interviews will take place on 6 June 2024. Interviews will be face to face at our office: The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG

*Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities and tasks

• Leading and coordinating the human health programme of the Society's policy work
• Setting objectives and identifying ways of delivering them, through agreement with the relevant senior staff, Steering Groups and Committees
• Ensuring agreed activities are delivered on time, on budget and within the desired scope
• Closely monitoring relevant scientific and policy developments in the UK and overseas
• Horizon-scanning, identifying and scoping new project or influencing opportunities
• Building national and international networks of influence with policymakers, scientists and other stakeholders
• Coordinating, drafting and editing policy reports and other outputs
• Coordinating suitable networking events in collaboration with support and specialist teams including dinners, launches, and summits
• Representing the Society and its policy positions in meetings with scientists, policymakers and others
• Providing frequent advice to senior colleagues and Committees, and supporting the Senior Leadership Team to develop and implement the Society's overall strategy
• Possibility of line managing a Policy Adviser and other staff and supervising their day-to-day work
• Any other reasonable activity as required

Key Knowledge and Skills Required

Experience / abilities

A good understanding of science policy

Essential

Expertise and experience in a relevant health discipline with a high motivation for delivering change in this area

Essential

Skilled oral and written communication for technical and non-technical audiences

Essential

Assessment and reporting of technical information in a clear and concise manner

Essential

Self-organisation and management of several tasks simultaneously

Essential

An enthusiastic team player, with experience of collaborative working

Essential

Creative thinking and problem solving

Essential

Delivering complex projects on time, on budget and within the desired scope

Essential

Writing, editing and disseminating reports

Essential

Establishing and maintaining influential networks

Essential

Effective interaction with people at all levels of seniority

Essential

Line management experience

Desirable

Working with governance or advisory committees

Desirable

Events and/or publishing experience

Desirable

Circumstances

Able to be flexible about working hours on occasions

Essential

Able to undertake national and/or international travel on occasions

Essential

Competencies

Self-management

• Identifies difficult situations

• Recognises stress in others and takes steps to reduce it

• Controls pressurised situations

• Effectively enthuses those in the team

• Proactively sets goals and targets for own work

• Works within the Royal Society Values at all times

Working with others

• Actively seeks ideas and criticisms from within the team

• Resolves conflicts within and between teams

• Embeds feedback processes within the team

• Seeks out new networks that will create opportunity for the Society

• Able to present complex issues simply

• Uses discretion, tact and empathy when negotiating with and/or seeking to influence others

• Understands the need to manage expectations and to only promise what is deliverable

Resource management

• Determines strategy and deployment of resources, balancing cost and benefit; risk and potential for maximum impact across significant business areas

• Manages complex cross-cutting projects to time, budget and specification

• Ensures others accept responsibility towards results or quality

• Sets the quality standards for own business areas in accordance with strategy and contributes to the formulation of quality standards across the Society

• Sets and monitors priorities

• Identifies and manages risk effectively

Critical thinking

• Uses questioning, analytical and probing skills to 'dig deeper'

• Knows when enough information has been obtained and adapts presentation of information to the needs of the audience

• Evaluates the benefits, practicalities and value for money of ideas and obtains feedback

• Makes sound decisions in a complex or ambiguous environment and is able to gain support and manage challenges confidently

Adaptability

• Actively seeks the input and opinions of others, often outside his/her section and accommodates and incorporates this thinking into any output.

• Actively seeks new challenges and projects; leads discussions surrounding new ideas, approaches and projects

• Anticipates need for innovation and seeks new ideas, approaches and solutions

Managing people and relationships

• Sets expectations of others and ensures they deliver

• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards work, celebrating success and instilling confidence, which encourages the same from others

• Encourages others to share ideas and participate in the discussion and decisions of the team

• Assesses needs of clients/stakeholders/staff and makes plans to meet these needs