Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive change and improvement in international policy, leading a high-performing team.
- Company: Join the MHRA, a key player in public health and safety.
- Benefits: Permanent role with hybrid working, competitive salary, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global health policies while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Substantial policy experience and strong leadership abilities required.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities to network internationally.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non‑departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners’ rules.
We are currently looking for a Principal Policy Specialist to join our International Function within the Partnerships group. Position: full‑time, permanent based at 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. The role will operate within the MHRA’s hybrid work model, requiring a minimum of 8–12 days per month onsite based on business need.
What’s the role?
The postholder will be responsible for driving change and improvement and delivering on the Access strategy, working closely with internal experts to implement necessary changes. The postholder will also need to proactively network with the Coordinators representing the other four members to seek out and deliver on opportunities for innovation within Access.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as country lead for Canada, Singapore, Switzerland and Australia, developing expertise on those countries and their overall operations, building a network of contacts, leading on senior and ministerial briefings, and advancing actions and projects arising from meetings.
- Line‑manage a core team delivering the programme of work, ensuring clear priorities and best use of resources across a high‑performing team.
- Provide high quality advice and briefing to the CEO and senior policy officials, communicating complex issues into concise options and recommendations to enable key decision‑making.
- Drive cross‑agency working and strategy groups to develop, refine and implement changes required to MHRA’s operational model.
Who are we looking for?
- Leadership
- Delivering at pace
- Working together
- Seeing the big picture
Experience Criteria
- Essential: Substantial policy experience in the civil service or other organisations that provide an understanding of working in the public sector.
- Desirable: Project or programme management experience.
Strengths Criteria
- Adaptable
- Catalyst
Person Specification
Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation
Behaviour Criteria: Seeing the Big Picture (A, I), Communicating and Influencing (A, I), Working Together (A, I), Leadership (A, I), Delivering at Pace (A, I)
Application process & timeline
- Closing date: 11th January 2026
- Shortlisting date: from 12th January 2026
- Interview date: from 19th January 2026
For further information about the role and selection process, please read the full job description and person specification.
Contact
Please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk for any enquiries.
Principal Policy Specialist employer: Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Contact Detail:
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Policy Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in similar roles, especially those in the civil service. They can give you insider tips and might even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by understanding the key responsibilities of the role. Think about how your past experiences align with driving change and delivering on strategies, and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during the interview. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed teams and delivered results in high-pressure situations. We want to see that you can lead a core team effectively!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Policy Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Principal Policy Specialist. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since leadership is key for this role, don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. We want to see how you can drive change and improvement!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to complex issues. Make sure your points are easy to follow and get straight to the heart of your experience.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
✨Know Your Policy Inside Out
As a Principal Policy Specialist, you'll need to demonstrate substantial policy experience. Make sure you brush up on the latest developments in public sector policy, especially related to Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and Australia. Being able to discuss these areas confidently will show your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Think about times when you had to deliver at pace or drive change, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Communicate Clearly and Concisely
You'll be providing high-quality advice and briefings to senior officials, so practice communicating complex issues in a straightforward manner. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, ensuring clarity and impact.
✨Network Like a Pro
Since networking is key for this role, think about how you can demonstrate your ability to build relationships. Prepare to discuss any relevant contacts you've made in the civil service or public sector, and how those connections have helped you drive innovation or improvements in your previous roles.