Policy Adviser, Mental Health

Salary (Pro rated): £30,960 - £38,700; (Full time: £51,600 - £64,500)

Closing date:
Wednesday, 25 November 2026

Contract type:
Fixed Term Contract - /End Date:
December 2027

Interview dates: 1st stage (w/c 11 /01/2027) Face to Face;

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships.

We committed to spend £16bn in the ten years to 2032, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

At Wellcome, we support bold science to address some of the world's most urgent health challenges, but science alone isn't enough. Our Policy team works to turn evidence into action, influencing the policies, decisions and systems that can help new ideas and interventions reach the people who need them. As a Policy Adviser in Mental Health, you'll help create the conditions for new and improved mental health interventions to reach those who need them and contribute to better and more equitable health outcomes

As a Policy Adviser in our Mental Health team, you'll shape key areas of policy work to help advance Wellcome's mental health goals. You'll analyse evidence, develop recommendations and work with partners and decision-makers to influence the policies and environments needed to create meaningful change in mental health.

As a Policy Adviser, you will:

• Delivery key elements of policy projects, developing ideas, project plans and resources to deliver Wellcome's policy and influencing goals.
• Deliver high-quality policy analysis and recommendations, turning evidence into compelling arguments, briefings and other policy products.
• Develop and deliver advocacy and communications activity with colleagues across Wellcome to build support for Mental Health policy priorities.
• Build trusted relationships with key stakeholders and partners, representing Wellcome in senior internal and external forums and establishing credibility in your areas of expertise.
• Manage policy projects effectively, taking ownership of delivery, risks, budgets and the quality of outputs to ensure work is delivered to a high standard.
• Contribute to wider team and organisational priorities, collaborating across Wellcome and supporting and developing colleagues where appropriate.

You'll bring experience of mental health and policy, with a track record of developing evidence-based recommendations and influencing policymakers, senior leaders or other key stakeholders. You'll be a strong communicator and critical thinker, comfortable working with scientific or technical information and turning complex evidence into clear, compelling policy messages, while working collaboratively and managing competing priorities.

• Experience working on mental health policy issues, with an understanding of the policy landscape relevant to mental health. Ideally working on mental health policy issues, particularly seeking to influence the UK government, Arm's-Length Bodies, NHS structures.
• Experience developing and delivering policy analysis, recommendations or written policy outputs using evidence to inform decision-making.
• Experience engaging with and influencing policy stakeholders, such as national governments, multilateral organisations, senior decision-makers or comparable organisations.
• Experience translating complex scientific, technical or research evidence into clear policy messages, advice or recommendations for different audiences.
• Evidence of managing policy projects or work streams, including planning and delivering work to deadlines while managing changing or competing priorities.

We understand that our colleagues have commitments and personal interests outside of work and we strive to build a flexible working environment, in which people can perform