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 job 

 This is an exciting opportunity to join a team where you be planning and leading on public affairs activities in order to influence and secure outcomes in line with the strategic aims of BMA Northern Ireland. You will be part of a busy communications and public affairs team working across a wide range of interesting issues that impact doctors and medical students in Northern Ireland. 

The successful candidate will keep abreast of key political and health policy developments, and will proactively identify opportunities to engage with stakeholders to promote BMA policies and influencing priorities. This will include lobbying MLAs, MPs and other relevant stakeholders, eg Northern Ireland Government, councillors and political party members. 

To be successful as a Senior Public Affairs Officer you'll ideally have:

• Previous demonstrable professional experience of the direct lobbying of politicians / influencing
• Proven ability in developing and delivering effective public affairs campaigns and/or achieving clear policy influencing objectives
• In-depth knowledge of NI Assembly, and devolved legislative procedures as well as high awareness of policy-making processes and lobbying opportunities
• Excellent established contacts, especially with MLAs, party staff and MPs across all parties
• Excellent political awareness
• Good understanding of health-related issues and policy and trade union functions
• High level verbal and written communication skills for speaking to or providing briefings and other written material for members, secretariats and external audiences
• Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy in dealing with politicians and their support staff and also committee members and external stakeholders
• Excellent research and analytical skills (e.g. analysing parliamentary debates and policy documents)
• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload effectively including the organisation and planning of work
• Ability to adapt and be flexible to emerging situations
• Familiar with using Microsoft office suite
• Experience of using social media professionally

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
• 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 with the right skills and experience and 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, as we do not hold a sponsorship licence.