Senior Policy Manager

As the Senior Policy Manager within the SCD and Thalassaemia Quality Improvement Programme in the HIIP team, you will be a part of matrix team to deliver a portfolio of projects aimed at improving outcomes for people with sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassaemia. The postholder will work collaboratively in a matrix team and with subject matter experts to support the delivery of the programme. It will be a two-year fixed term post. The post holder will be responsible for providing policy advice, guidance, influence, thought leadership and expertise to ensure appropriate development and delivery of several ambitious transformation initiatives outlined by the SCD and Thalassaemia Quality Improvement Work Programme. About us The National Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Team was established to deliver the vision of exceptional quality healthcare for all, ensuring equitable access, excellent experience, and optimal outcomes. The role of the Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Team is principally threefold;

• setting direction in relation to tackling healthcare inequalities across NHS England (NHSE) and the wider NHS;
• creating a positive improvement culture which champions data as a means of gaining actionable insight to drive interventions leading to reductions in health inequalities; and
• working with national teams and partners to ensure that we deliver commitments to tackling health inequalities set out in the NHS Long-Term Plan., The role of Senior Policy Manager will be pivotal in supporting the SCD Thal Quality Improvement work programme, working across a range of policy briefs, and providing support to the Delivery Lead and the Head of the SCD Thal QI Work Programme.
You will support a range of policy projects and workstreams, focusing on our deliverables to deliver improvements in services to improve outcomes and the quality of life of persons with SCD and Thalassaemia. You will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, knowledge and experience of the health policy landscape and be proficient in forming strong working relationships to bring about a common goal. You will have the ability to meet strict deadlines, demonstrate initiative and be able to work alongside others to scope work, solve problems and achieve positive outcomes. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a dynamic approach to delivery, demonstrate resilience, and have a strong commitment to achieving high standards of policy development and delivery.,
• Provide expert strategic and policy support and guidance on policy areas of the Director's portfolio, operating within a political and sensitive environment.
• Draft and deliver high quality policy advice and briefings on SCD, thalassaemia and health inequalities issues for NHSE senior Executives and DHSC, drawing on evidence and reflecting the latest system developments
• Support the Policy Delivery Lead to contribute on all programme meetings, workshops, and events to develop policy, solve problems, and build consensus on complex issues.
• Represent the programme team and wider Healthcare Inequalities Improvement Team at a range of internal and external forums and maintain strong relationships with key sickle cell and thalassaemia stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Work flexibly across the programme team's portfolio and within tight timescales.
• Support the Policy Delivery Lead to inform the delivery of a number of complex policy projects at any one time, within budget and in line with the programme plan.
• Monitor, interpret, and quality assure progress against agreed deliverables as outlined by the SCD and Thalassaemia programme team.
• Act as lead on behalf of the programme for parliamentary accountability, including responding to PQs and FOI requests, providing policy updates to internal and external stakeholders at a senior level and supporting programme representation as required by the Head of the SCD Thal Programme and the Policy Delivery Lead.
• Enable the team to access best practice and current information within their specialism, drawing from experience and expertise in other fields and industries, and ensure the organisation and other stakeholder organisations benefit from relevant innovations.
• Be part of the wider HIIP staff rota, which involves carrying out tasks, projects and support drafting of rapid responses to Arms Lengths Bodies including DHSC and other key stakeholders.
Secondments Applicants from within the NHS will be offered on a secondment basis only, agreement should be obtained from their employer prior to submitting the application. Our commitments to you We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better patient outcomes. We strive to ensure our people feel trusted, valued and empowered. We're passionate about nurturing and developing people. When you join us, we want you to grow and excel, and we offer many opportunities for you to do that. We welcome your talent and enthusiasm irrespective of age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro-divergent. We welcome applications from disabled candidates. If you meet all the essential criteria, you will be guaranteed an interview. Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK under the Skilled Worker route are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. If applying for this role on a secondment basis, please make sure you have obtained prior agreement from your current line manager to apply for this position. Please note that we currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies. The NHS Business Services Authority is responsible for the processing of your application; a privacy notice is attached to advise you on how we will process your personal data. If you have applied via NHS Jobs, your submitted application will be imported into our preferred third-party recruitment system. All subsequent information regarding your application will be generated from apps.trac.jobs. If you are appointed to a post, information will also be transferred into the NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by: + Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities. + Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential. + Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care + Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation + Delivering value for money. If you would like to know more or require further information, please visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/. Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person. Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band., NHS England

NHS AfC: Band 8a Our Organisation The NHS is building a culture that is positive, compassionate and inclusive - and we all have our part to play. As employers we are committed to protecting and promoting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our colleagues. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution and supports us to be an Employer of Choice, while helping our colleagues to deliver high quality services for our patients and communities. As a flexible employer, we want to support you to work in a way that is best for the NHS, our patients and you. Talk to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement whether that's a job share, part time, hybrid working or another flexible pattern. In addition, although the role advertised may have a 'home' office base indicated, we remain committed to supporting flexibility around workplace locations. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.