Policy Officer - England and Wales

Overview

We are recruiting two Policy and Public Affairs Officers to join our Policy and Influencing team at Blood Cancer UK. One role will be based in London and focus on policy and public affairs activity across England and Wales. The other will be based in Edinburgh and lead our work in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Both roles will play a vital part in ensuring that the voices of people affected by blood cancer are heard by decision‑makers and that evidence‑based solutions influence governments, health systems and policymakers across the UK.

Working as part of a collaborative UK‑wide team, you will develop evidence‑based policy positions, build and maintain relationships with parliamentarians, government officials and health stakeholders, and produce high‑quality briefings and consultation responses. You will also represent Blood Cancer UK at meetings, events and stakeholder forums, helping to influence policy and drive meaningful change for people affected by blood cancer.

Both positions require regular travel within your respective nations to attend meetings, events and stakeholder engagement activities. Occasional travel across the UK, including to London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast and other locations, is also expected to support cross‑UK influencing activity, team meetings and organisational events.

• Develop Blood Cancer UK’s policy and influencing work in the UK, focusing on the specific needs of people living with blood cancer and ensuring the work is solutions‑focused and evidence‑based.
• Conduct horizon scanning for emerging policy issues by collaborating closely with senior colleagues.
• Gather insights from healthcare professionals, researchers and the blood cancer community to develop policy positions.
• Place the blood cancer community at the heart of policy and influencing activity, working with Ambassadors and the Policy Collective.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in Parliament, governments, the NHS, and other health and research policy organisations.
• Represent Blood Cancer UK at external events, meetings and consultations, advocating for people with blood cancer and influencing decision‑makers.
• Organise events, visits and briefings to communicate messages and influence external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with senior colleagues to influence policy outcomes and align policy positions and priorities across all four UK nations.
• Maintain and share detailed knowledge of the health and blood cancer policy landscape, including NHS structures and local/national organisations responsible for delivering blood cancer services.
• Represent Blood Cancer UK on policy coalitions, at health conferences, and in meetings with officials and decision‑makers.

• Knowledge of the UK political environment and parliamentary procedures.
• Understanding of NHS and health policy‑making across the UK.
• Experience working in a policy and/or public affairs role for a charity, company, agency or in Parliament.
• Ability to produce clear and persuasive written material for diverse audiences, including parliamentarians, government officials and internal colleagues, within tight deadlines.
• Experience or knowledge of involving people affected by blood cancer in policy work.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with parliamentarians, government officials and wider stakeholders.
• Ability to oversee and manage projects, such as events and briefings.
• Commitment to equal opportunities, diversity, and organisational values.

We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.