Policy and Communications Officer

Prospectus is delighted to be partnering with our client in their recruitment of a new Policy and Comms Officer, on a full‑time, permanent basis. This is an exciting new role for the organisation which offers flexibility, with the option to either be office‑based, hybrid, or remote (condensed working will also be considered).

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease which is uncommon, complex and poorly understood. It affects the immune system and can cause lasting damage to the kidneys, skin, heart, lungs and/or brain. Our client is the only national charity supporting people living with lupus and those that care for them. They hold an ambition for a world where people with lupus can live full and active lives and work hard to empower people by providing information about lupus and offering support so their voices are heard and their condition diagnosed and managed effectively. With 35 years of service, the charity is now embarking on an ambitious new strategy, aiming to broaden and deepen its reach across the lupus community.

Reporting up to the Health Information, Policy and Research Manager, your role will involve the scoping and mapping of the charity’s current policy work, the policy landscape and potential opportunities, working collaboratively internally to develop a prioritised policy plan. You will ensure that the charity’s policy work, and key updates in the policy landscape are effectively communicated with the lupus community, including producing and disseminating articles, press releases, social media posts, and other material as appropriate. You will provide regular organisation‑wide briefings to ensure that colleagues are aware of key policy positions, arguments and evidence, and will develop and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including people with lived experience of lupus, other patient and advocacy organisations, clinicians and researchers, and government bodies.

You will undertake policy research, write reports and briefs, evaluate evidence of their impact, and maintain stakeholder relationships. You will communicate complex information in an accessible and engaging manner across a range of formats. You will provide briefings, develop a policy plan, and keep the lupus community informed.

You have demonstrable experience of undertaking policy research, have written reports and briefs and evaluated evidence of their impact, and have a strong understanding of local, regional, and national government, and the healthcare system in the UK. Excellent interpersonal skills, influence and persuasion abilities, and experience of communicating complex information in an easy to understand, accessible, and engaging manner are required.

Please apply by submitting your CV in Word format (cover letters are not required at this stage). Successful candidates will be contacted and invited to provide a supporting statement. Interviews to take place week commencing Monday 23rd Feb.

As a specialist recruitment practice, we are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are invested in supporting you through your application journey. Please note, occasional evening and weekend working and travel may be required, including travel to the four nations of the UK.