Committee Advisor in London

We are currently looking for a Committee Advisor to join our Governance, Committee Services Function within the Healthcare Quality and Access 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. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

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.

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 Committee Services Team Secretariat sits within the Healthcare Quality and Access Group and provides non-scientific secretariat support to various Independent Advisory Bodies, which play a vital role in supporting the Agency’s decision-making processes. The Secretariat has quality assurance responsibilities under the governance remit which leads the Agency’s sponsorship relationship with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and provides support to over 50 independent expert advisory committees, some of which are statutory in nature. These committees are critical to the challenging risk benefit judgements that sit at the heart of the Agency’s regulation of medicines and medical devices.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced professional to join our Committee Services Team. The successful candidate will take responsibility for leading and managing a range of independent advisory committees, ensuring their smooth and effective operation. Working closely with the Chair of each committee and the wider Committee Services Team, you will oversee the scheduling, preparation, and support of Committees, Advisory Groups, and Working Groups. The role will also involve liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure meetings are conducted efficiently, deliver meaningful outcomes, and comply with organisational policies and governance standards. This role is integral to upholding high standards of governance and supporting the organisation’s policy objectives.

Key responsibilities:

• Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with Chairs and all expert committee members, serving as the primary liaison between external experts to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of meetings, in compliance with the Human Medicines Regulations.
• Ensuring consistency in the organisation of committee meetings by actively collaborating and working closely with other team members across the organisation.
• Ensuring the timely management, production, and storage of agendas and minutes for all committee meetings.
• Managing the collection and oversight of Declarations of Interest in accordance with relevant policies and codes of practice.
• Overseeing the appointment of new members in collaboration with the scientific secretariat, Chairs, Manager, and Appointments Advisor.
• Identifying areas for improvement, streamlining processes, and ensuring consistency while contributing to the development of policies and procedures that support the effective operation of committees.
• Contributing to the production of annual reports for Advisory Bodies and MHRA committees.
• Drafting responses to Parliamentary Questions, Private Office correspondence, and Freedom of Information requests, ensuring all deadlines are met.
• Collecting and monitoring business metrics to assess team performance, recognising the team's role in maintaining public confidence in the Agency's activities.
• Providing advice and mentorship to staff, supporting individual development and fostering a team capable of delivering innovative and creative solutions to challenges.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have the following:

• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the code of conduct and practices for advisory committees, including their application in ensuring effective governance and compliance with organisational policies.
• Demonstrable professional experience in a fast-paced, team-oriented, and collaborative office environment. This includes working directly with a range of stakeholders to gather evidence and information, with clear examples of successfully contributing to organisational outcomes.
• Excellent IT skills – use of MS Office and interest in learning new packages.

Person Specification:

Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Managing a Quality Service (A, I)
• Delivering at Pace (A, I)
• Communicating and Influencing (I)
• Working Together (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Demonstrates a clear understanding of the code of conduct and practices for advisory committees, including their application in ensuring effective governance and compliance with organisational policies. (A)
• Demonstrable professional experience in a fast-paced, team-oriented, and collaborative office environment. This includes working directly with a range of stakeholders to gather evidence and information, with clear examples of successfully contributing to organisational outcomes. (A, I)

Technical Criteria:

• Excellent IT skills – use of MS Office and interest in learning new packages. (A)

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 candidates. Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, 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.

Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, 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 Managing a Quality Service. 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 allow sufficient time. 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 our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Closing date: 20 July 2026

Shortlisting date: From 21 July 2026

Interview date: w/c 10 August 2026

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here. 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 complete basic 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 applicant’s 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 eligibility here.

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 careers@mhra.gov.uk.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit 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 careers@mhra.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk info@csc.gov.uk Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ