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Senior Policy Officer

NRAS is the only patient-led charity in the UK working exclusively for people affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) supporting all those who live with these diseases, their families and the health professionals who care for them. It is a national charity employing 30 people with offices based near Maidenhead.

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Job Title	Senior Policy Officer
Salary	Competitive depending on experience
Hours requirement	35 hours per week
Location	Hybrid working arrangement with 40% min contracted hours per week in office. NRAS, Beechwood Suite 3, Grove Park Industrial Estate, White Waltham, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3LW
Reporting to	Chief Operations Officer

Job description

NRAS is looking for a proactive, enthusiastic and motivated individual with a proven track record to work alongside the CEO, COO and National Patient Champion to champion the voice of those living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Juvenile Arthritis and influence health and social care policies.

Main Purpose of the job

The Senior Policy Officer will work to develop UK-wide, evidence-based policy positions on key issues affecting those living with RA or JIA, their families and rheumatology health professionals. Consulting with internal and external experts and stakeholders as part of the policy development process the Policy Officer will ensure final positions and campaigns are used effectively.

The Policy Officer identifies and drafts organisational consultation responses, ensuring our submissions are backed up by evidence and are informed by those affected by inflammatory arthritis. The position holder will monitor the external health and social care landscape and regularly give updates to colleagues and senior management as well as provide policy support for the Chief Executive and other senior leaders by preparing presentations when required 

The Policy Officer will represent the organisation’s policy aims by collaborating with external partners and coalitions, and push for the integration of the voice of lived experience in policymaking. 

The Policy Officer will also be responsible for representing the charity at meetings across the UK, including the devolved nations, with high profile policy makers including civil servants, NHS figures and key opinion leaders. The post holder will also represent NRAS at various alliances and consortiums of patient organisations with shared agendas e.g. Prescription Charges Coalition, National Voices, ARMA and Disability Benefits Consortium. 

Candidates will show a good understanding of the health policy environment and political processes of the UK. Ideally candidates will have excellent interpersonal skills as well as a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Qualifications and experience

Criteria	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications	• Degree level or equivalent	• Professional qualification
Experience	• Demonstrable experience of, and achievements in: · • Proven relationship building working with the NHS across the UK, industry and key stakeholders • Experience of developing evidence-based policy positions •Experience of identifying and drafting consultation responses • Experience of building relationships with policy stakeholders internally and externally • Experience of stakeholder mapping and management • Experience of meaningfully involving beneficiaries in policy work •Previous experience of developing briefings for a range of audiences, including parliamentarians and senior colleagues	• Able to demonstrate an understanding of self-management techniques in long term health conditions •Able to demonstrate innovative thinking and delivery.
Knowledge and skills	• Excellent communication skills, ability to translate complex information simply and effectively to a range of audiences, and through a range of channels • Excellent understanding of UK-wide health and social care and policy landscape • Exceptional written communication skills • Strong project management, planning and organisational skills •Excellent team working skills, with ability to be flexible, collaborative and innovative • Excellent IT skills • Positive, problem solving attitude and ability to work in a high-pressure environment • Excellent statistical analysis skills • Knowledge of inflammatory arthritis or MSK conditions desirable. • Proficient use of Office 365 (Microsoft Word; Excel; Powerpoint, Teams) •Willingness to undertake training and continuing professional development	• Use of Salesforce database • Understanding of inflammatory arthritis (RA and JIA)
Personal Circumstances & Attributes	• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines • Ability to demonstrate an understanding and commitment to our corporate values • Highly motivated and committed · Positive outlook and ‘can-do’ approach to challenges • Ability to represent charity at senior level • To be committed to the principles of equal opportunities and diversity • To be prepared to stay away from home and travel across the UK as and when required

How to apply

If you wish to apply, please submit your current CV and a cover letter to, samg@nras.org.uk with the subject “Senior Policy Officer”.