Job Overview

About the BMA

The British Medical Association (BMA) is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK.  We represent, support and negotiate on behalf of all UK doctors and medical students. 

Join the BMA at a crucial time for doctors and the NHS and be part of a team working for better pay and conditions for the profession.

About the role

We are recruiting a Policy Advice and Research Officer to join our Healthcare Delivery team. The team undertakes research and analysis, gathers evidence, develops policy solutions, and provides advice and guidance and deliver policy change. You will support the team to deliver its work programme which includes NHS reform, workforce, digital transformation and a variety of other high-profile health policy issues. A significant portion of your time will be spent supporting the team's work on the UK COVID-19 Inquiry.

You will provide expert research and data analysis support to the team in developing policy proposals, produce research reports and policy briefings, guidance and other practical support materials and represent the BMA at external meetings and events. Your role will include providing expert policy advice and guidance to a variety of audiences including senior staff, chief officers and members. You will also provide policy support to BMA committees looking at healthcare delivery issues and support the BMA’s media and communications teams to effectively respond to external policy developments.

This is a Fixed term contract role until end of July 2025.

To be successful as a Policy Advice and Support Officer you'll have:

•  The ability to grasp new policy concepts quickly and undertake research and analysis of policy issues.
• Experience working with data and the ability to interpret complex data sets.
•  Excellent writing skills with demonstrable experience of drafting policy reports and briefings
• Experience of providing project support and working towards tight deadlines
• Good analytical skills with an eye for detail
• Good communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships with counterparts in the department and stakeholders
• A team player with the ability to work well autonomously and within a team

Why work for us?

We offer a wide range of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday entitlement plus bank holidays and a BMA company day
• Double matching pension contributions up to 12% of salary
• Additional leave entitlement for volunteering or moving house (after completion of probationary period)
• Onsite gym and subsidised café at BMA House
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with free confidential counselling, a helpline and specialist support available
• BMA Law - discounted rates for employees requiring legal services such as will writing/conveyancing
• Multiple flexible benefits and discounts through our employee benefits platform
• Lots of Learning and Development/training opportunities via our internal learning hub
• Season ticket loan (up to £10,000) after completion of probationary period

Anonymous recruitment

The BMA endeavours to be an inclusive employer, ensuring fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for roles. To support our aims, we use specific software to remove all personal identifying information from CVs and applications.  Personal information such as name, date of birth, age and gender are anonymised and will only become visible to hiring managers if you are selected for interview.

Whether the role needs you to work at home, in an office or in a hybrid way, we`ll provide all the support you need.  

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply through our website. However,  if you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support at any point during the application process, please email recruitment@bma.org.uk.

Diversity & Inclusion Monitoring:

Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts everybody signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

BMA is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge as we recognise that diversity makes us stronger.

Please note, we are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK points-based immigration system and we do not hold a sponsorship licence.