Policy Officer
Application brief
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Wales Cymru is a registered charity (1120834)
About ASH Wales
Our mission is to achieve a smokefree Wales by working for strong tobacco control policy. We work to raise awareness of the health, social and economic effects of smoking by working with communities, young people and partners across Wales.
We work on projects, campaigns and policy in order to achieve a reduction in, and eventual elimination of, the health problems associated with smoking and tobacco use.
We’re experienced and knowledgeable about tobacco control and smoking issues, and we’re happy to share our experience with others. We are involved in a wide range of activities including coordinating professional networks to bring together people in Wales working in tobacco control.
Our key activities
· We communicate the issues relating to smoking and tobacco use in Wales
· We build effective networks of interested parties working in tobacco control in Wales
· We provide support and advocacy to individuals and projects in the tobacco control arena, and to those who are not adequately represented in public health policy or practice
· We lobby for public health measures to protect the health of all people in Wales from the harm caused by smoking and tobacco
· We research and develop policy and projects in the areas of smoking and tobacco control
ASH Wales invites applications for the role of Policy Officer.
Job description
Post title: Policy Officer
Salary: £30k per annum
Conditions: 6 month probationary period applies
Contract type / period: Full-time post funded for 2 years
Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer, ASH Wales
Location: Cardiff office
Purpose of the role
The Policy Officer will play a key role in building support to reduce smoking prevalence across Wales and protect people from the harm of second-hand smoke.
We’re looking for someone to manage and co-ordinate all policy-related activities and provide evidence-led direction to decision makers across Wales.
You will be responsible for monitoring emerging tobacco control related trends and issues; preparing and/or reviewing and revising policy positions; managing with external organisations on specific research projects; providing consultation, information, and liaison with key stakeholders and tobacco control practitioners; preparing and assisting with grant applications.
This is an exciting and varied opportunity to work as part of an ambitious team.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Provision of accurate and timely information regarding tobacco control to stakeholders
· Coordinate the provision of tobacco control briefings to Welsh Assembly Members, MPs, MEPs, and Welsh Peers
· Attend conferences and seminars and give presentations/talks or present evidence to external bodies
· Further develop and enhance the policy web presence including updating policy papers, factsheets and research activities
· Ensure that ASH Wales is compliant with Welsh Language Act requirements when publishing information
· Provide advice and support to the Chief Executive Officer, Board and staff to ensure the development and maintenance of effective communication links between the organisation and external agencies
· Ensure that ASH Wales staff and Board members are appropriately briefed to enable them to communicate ASH Wales’ policy objectives
· Support the marketing of ASH Wales’ services and activities and oversee the quality of organisational communications such as publications
2. Engage in evidence-based policy and research activities
· Support ASH Wales’ funding activities through the development of appropriate publications and input to funding applications
· Keep abreast of the Tobacco Industry, Government, scientific developments, social policy and tobacco control initiatives in the UK and elsewhere, and ensure appropriate dissemination throughout the organisation
· Take a lead in the management (or commissioning), monitoring and reporting of specific pieces of policy and research, survey work or needs assessments relating to policy development
· Conduct and publish research relating to ASH Wales policy and project requirement
· Provide policy and research and reports to the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Funders as required
· Assist and prepare grant applications as and when appropriate
3. Undertake activities to promote policy initiatives that are favourable to tobacco control
· Oversee work to strengthen legislative initiatives favourable to tobacco control within parliaments including placed questions and motions, timely briefings and consultation response
· Work alongside, and provide research and policy advice to the Welsh Tobacco Control Alliance (WTCA)
· Take a lead with developing and reviewing ASH Wales’ policy positions, working to the evidence base from published research and reported good practice, and ensure policies are developed in consultation with appropriate experts and stakeholders
· Participate in expert working groups or advisory committees involved in formulating, developing and disseminating tobacco control and related policy such as Local Tobacco Action Groups (TAG), Wales Tobacco or Health Network (WTHN), Wales Tobacco Control Alliance (WTCA) etc
· Participate in relevant consultations including those at a UK, EU and WHO level
4. All staff are expected to
· Positively support equality of opportunity and equity of treatment to colleagues in accordance with Equal Opportunities legislation
· Help to maintain a safe working environment by:
- attending training in basic and specialist health and safety requirements as necessary, both on appointment and as changes in duties and techniques demand
- following local codes of safe working practices
· Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by the Chief Executive Officer
Please note: This job description reflects the core activities of the role and as ASH Wales and the post holder develops there may be changes in the emphasis of duties. It is expected that the post holder will recognise this and adopt a flexible approach to work and be willing to participate in training. If changes to the job become significant the job description will be reviewed formally by the Chief Executive Officer and the post holder.
Person specification
Criteria / Essential / Desirable /1. Education/Qualification and Training
Graduate with relevant degree / x
PhD, Masters qualification (or working towards) in Public Health/Health Promotion, Health Psychology, Health Sciences, or equivalent / x
2. Experience
Experience of influencing policy decisions, preferably in the health sector / x
Experience in designing research methodologies and conducting evidence based research / x
Experience of data analysis and presenting findings in reports / x
Experience of developing questionnaires and working with other data collection tools / x
Experience of effective decision making / x
Experience of project coordination / x
Experience of working in a people focused/social/health care organisation / x
Experience in writing funding applications / x
Experience of responding to public consultations / x
Experience of public health lobbying and campaigning / x
3. Skills, knowledge and abilities
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for multiple audiences / x
Ability to identify research needs and design/specify research / x
Ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative data / x
Ability to develop and maintain networks / x
Accuracy and attention to detail / x
Knowledge of the Third Sector / x
Knowledge of tobacco control issues at a local, national and international level / x
4. Personal characteristics / other requirements
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as a member of a team / x
Ability to work in an organised manner / x
Ability to meet tight deadlines, to manage competing priorities and to work independently / x
Ability and willingness to take on management roles and/or training for management roles / x
Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality rules / x
Willingness to pitch in at all levels of work / x
An interest in public health issues / x
Able to speak Welsh / x
Eligible to work in the UK / x
Recruitment process and timeline
How to apply
Please complete the attached application form showing how you meet the criteria for the above post. Please note your application will not be processed if you cannot demonstrate that you have all the essential criteria noted above. For monitoring purposes please complete the equal opportunities form.
Send applications and the equal opportunities form to:
The Application
Please complete the application form as comprehensively as possible. You may supply additional material if relevant, but unfortunately it is not sufficient to only send a copy of your Curriculum Vitae. References will be taken up at the interview stage, if you would prefer that your current employer is not approached at this stage, your second referee should be either a previous employer or someone who can comment on your abilities in a work context. It should be noted also that you may be required to undertake a DBS check.
Person specification
The person specification describes the skills, experience, abilities and other factors we shall be looking for when selecting applicants. Please read this carefully and address how you fulfil each point on the specification giving concrete evidence of your skills and experience.
Equal Opportunities
Please ensure that you complete the equal opportunities monitoring form. The information enables us to evaluate the effective operation of our equal opportunity policy and procedure.
The contents of the form will be treated as strictly confidential and will be removed before the shortlisting process.
ASH Wales is committed to making appointments on merit by fair and open processes, taking account of equal opportunities. Applications are particularly welcomed from people with disabilities, women and members of minority ethnic groups.
Communication of outcome
Short-listed candidates will be advised by telephone or e-mail immediately after formal short-listing as to the outcome and advised of the arrangements.
Closing Date for Applications
Thursday 25th January 2018