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're looking to recruit a Senior Policy Advisor (Research) to join the Public Health and Healthcare team, within our Communications and Policy directorate. This department is responsible for ensuring the BMA maintains a strong, influential position in the eyes of stakeholders, the Government, media and doctors. 

This is a fixed term contract opportunity to join the team for 3 months. 

About the role 

The Senior Policy Advisor will provide expert policy advice, research, analysis and guidance to a variety of audiences including senior staff, committees, chief officers and members.  

The successful applicant will play an important role in the management and day-to-day engagement with the UK Covid-19 Inquiry to ensure BMA member priorities are clearly represented at the Inquiry. This will include: 

• Providing project management for the BMA’s engagement with the Inquiry, working closely with the Heads of Population Health and Healthcare delivery and other colleagues to oversee the analysis of key evidence submitted to the Inquiry and ensure Inquiry deadlines are met 

• Playing a substantial role in drafting of key oral and written submissions to the Inquiry 

• Working closely with colleagues across the BMA  (including the policy, public affairs, communications, devolved nation and internal and external legal teams) as well as the BMA’s elected members and external stakeholders 

• Ensuring timely and effective communications to senior BMA officials and staff, elected members and wider BMA membership about the BMA’s role within the Inquiry, working closely with colleagues in the Communications team 

This is a hybrid role with a mix of working at home and from our Central London office.  

To be successful as a Senior Policy Adviser you’ll have: 

• Previous experience of working in policy, initiating and taking forward work in relevant policy areas 

• Experience developing open and evidence-based policy in health or health-related issues 

• Ability to understand complex data and research and to support others in the team to do this 

• Excellent written skills with experience of drafting and presenting policy reports and briefings 

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely and convey information in a succinct way 

• Analytical skills with an eye for detail 

• Demonstrable experience in forming strategic relationships with counterparts in stakeholder organisations  

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.