JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title:Deputy Director of Policy Delivery (English Office)

Location:London

Reports to:Group Director of Policy

Job level:Senior manager

Salary: £56,293 and £68,954 pa (depending on experience) plus £4,000 London Weighting

PURPOSE

The NHS Confederation Group consists of offices in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that represent and support members in those countries; three networked organisations that provide a distinct voice for particular groups of NHS Confederation members (Mental Health Network, NHSPartners Network and NHSClinical Commissioners); the NHS European office which upholds the interests of the NHS in European policy-making; and NHS Employers, the authoritative voice of workforce and HR leaders in the NHS. The countryand network offices and NHS Employers functions are supported by shared external communications and corporate services teams.

The role of the English Office is to effectively support and represent members in England in national health policy development and implementation. The Deputy Director of Policy & Delivery (English Office) is responsible for ensuring that we have a compelling offer for all members in England with a strong range of member products and services as well as clear influencing objectives and achievements. You will oversee the development of a high quality policy, member engagement and influencing programme,and delivery of the English Confederation’s proactive and reactive policy work.

You will provide day-to-day leadership of the English Confederation’s integrated policy and engagement function, with a focus on direct engagement with members and stakeholders - helping policymakers to understand the priorities and perspectives of our members, and helping members turn policy into practice to improve the quality of care for patients.

You will develop and deliver an effective policy engagement and influencing strategy for the English Confederation, focusing on strategic policy and service improvement issues relevant to the whole health and care sector where there is a collective interest across all members in England. You will work closely with our networks and NHS Employers teams, which provide a distinct voice for particular groups of members within England, as well as the other country and European offices.

You will act as a senior policy specialist within the organisation, working closely with the Group Director of Policy to provide thought leadership and develop work programmes aligned to the organisation’s group-wide policy priorities. You will help to position the Confederation as the ‘go to’ organisation in the field of practice-based health policy development and implementation, building strong working relationships with key decision makers and opinion formers. You will act as a spokesperson for the organisation when required.

You will be responsible for developing and overseeing the English Confederation’s business plan, providingday-to-day oversight and support for operational deliveryand contributing to strategic and organisational development.

The role is an excellent development opportunity for someone planning to progress to director level in the health policy sector.

NATURE & SCOPE

The NHS Confederation is the authentic voice of NHS leadership. We bring together the whole healthcare system to help improve the health of patients and the public. We do this by:

  • Being a system leader: creating a compelling vision for the future for the NHS and care system through developments like the 2015 Challenge;
  • Representing the NHS: to Government, Parliament, and policymakers; with staffside and unions in negotiations and consultations; and in Europe as the voice of the NHS; and
  • Supporting our members to improve the health of patients and the public through providing expertise and insight and facilitating networking and learning.

We play a crucial leadership role by bringing together all parts of the health and care system through our networks, corporate members, and associations.

We also work in partnership with a wide range of organisations that represent health professionals, patients, their families and carers, supply chain organisations, local government and partners from across the wider health and social care industry. We are the collective voice of the NHS frontline and also work closely with Local Government.

The Deputy Director of Policy & Delivery (English Office)is a member of the NHS Confederation’s Senior Management Team, and will play a significant role in the delivery of the strategic objectives of the Group as well as being responsible for the day-to-day activities of the English Office.You will lead a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 12 people.

STRUCTURE CHART

ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Deputy Director of Policy & Delivery (English Office) will:

  • Lead the development of a compelling and high impact offer for members in England, through delivery of a range of policy, influencing and engagement activities
  • Develop strong working relationships with the wider NHS Confederation (our networks, country offices, European Office and shared services) to ensure we are providing a comprehensive and well co-ordinated offer to our members, and that we deliver joined up messages and products for the NHS Confederation’s members and partners, political audiences, journalists and other key stakeholders
  • Oversee the development and delivery of the English Confederation’s collective policy and influencing programmeensuring that:

-there is an agreed set of influencing objectives and plans for achieving these in each priority area, that their effectiveness is regularly reviewed, and that plans are adjusted accordingly throughout the year

-there are robust processes for involving members (and partners where appropriate) in identifying priorities for policy change and service improvement and in developing and sense checking key products and outputs, including by working through our member forums and other reference groups to understand what members need and what will work on the ground

-the collective work programme for the English Confederationis aligned with the organisation’s wider strategic objectives and policy ‘obsessions’ and complements the priorities and activities of Networks and NHS Employers

  • Oversee the English Office’s day-to-day reactive policy and influencing work, working closely with colleagues in the networks and external affairs directorate to coordinate responses to external events as appropriate
  • Act as an external spokesperson for members and represent their views to politicians, civil servants,senior NHS leaders, journalists and other stakeholders as required, leading on specified policy areas as agreed with the Group Director of Policy
  • Contribute personally to, and ensure the English office team is engaging constructively in, cross-organisational planning and policy development activities, including through the regular forward planning meetings and Policy Connect discussions
  • Ensure that the English Office team contributes effectively to the development of themes and content for the NHS Confederation’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, and that the programme reflects English Confederationmembers’ priorities and relevant topical issues
  • Ensure that the English Office team contributes as required to the delivery of projects and contracts the NHS Confederation is commissioned to undertake by external funders (e.g. the Department of Health, Arms-length bodies)
  • Lead a multi-disciplinary team of c.12 staff which includes policy analysis, public affairs and member engagement experts; line manage direct reports and make sure that all team membershave clear objectives and effective, regular appraisals
  • Lead the English Confederation’s contribution to the organisation’s annual business planning process, identifying the priority issues on which we will focus our proactive work programme each year and ensuring that that this is informed by robust business intelligence, and quantitative and qualitative feedback about our members' priorities. Oversee delivery of the business plan, including regular reporting as part of the organisation’s governance arrangements.
  • Deputise for the Group Director of Policyas required
  • Oversee continual learning and improvement in all aspects of the English Confederation’s work programme
  • Lead as part of the senior team, in line with the values of the NHS Confederation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The postholder will have extensive experience in policy research, development or implementation at a national level and credibility with the health policy community. As well as detailed knowledge of health and wider public policy in England, the postholder will demonstrate excellent knowledge of the practical realities of the NHS Confederation’s members and the challenges and opportunities currently facing them, ideally through experience of working in or closely with the NHS.

You will have experience of managing staff and budgets and leading teams, and a track-record in fostering a positive, motivating and supportive working environment.

You will have excellent written and oral communications skills, good attention to detail and the ability to develop and maintain strategic relationships with senior stakeholders.

You will have the ability to advise and influence internally and externally at a senior level to develop a set of high impact work programmes that complement and build on work of other parts of the group. You will also be able to identify and handle complex issues, demonstrate good judgement and understand and communicate different points of view when appropriate.

SAFETY

Health and Safety at Work Act
The jobholder is required to take reasonable care for the safety and health of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts; and to co-ordinate with management in the promotion and maintenance of health and safety measures.”

SIGNATURES
Jobholder Name………………………………………………………..
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Manager Name………………………………………………………..
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Director Name………………………………………………………..
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PERSON SPECIFICATION

ATTRIBUTES /

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

/ DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Experience /
  • A record of achievement in policy development and influencing at a senior level and good understanding of effective communications and engagement approaches, including how to work with politicians, journalists and senior civil servants
  • A record of successful working within the national health policy community at senior level, including engagement with NHS organisations, the Department of Health and national NHS bodies
  • A strong record of achievement in evidence-based policy research and analysis
  • A track record demonstrating excellent judgement and ability to understand and communicate complex issues to a range of audiences
  • A strong track record of working with a wide range of stakeholders to get their input to policy making
  • A strong track record in managing complex stakeholder relations
  • Experience of leading and managing a multi-disciplinary team and ensuring delivery of objectives
  • Experience of line managing individual staff
Experience of managing budgets /
  • Experience of working at a senior level in, or closely with, the NHS
  • Experience of working in a representative or membership body or trade association
  • Experience of securing and delivering commissionedcontracts and projects on time and to budget
  • A track record of developing and utilising a wide range of communications tools and methods, including digital and social media, to engage stakeholders in dialogue and debate
  • Experience of public speaking and media appearances
  • Experience of working in public affairs

Knowledge /
  • Extensive knowledge of the NHS and wider health and care system
  • Extensive knowledge of government and policy-making processes
  • Insight into the practical realities and day-to-day operational issues facing NHS Confederation members in England
/
  • Understanding of the role of a membership body how to effectively engage members in policy analysis and influencing activities
  • Understanding of how to work in a complex matrix-organisation
  • Understanding of European and international issues within healthcare and how these can be influenced

Skills /
  • Demonstrable personal impact, with strong representational, influencing and negotiating skills
  • First class written and oral communications
  • Highly developed political awareness and judgement
  • An ability to synthesise a wide range of information and develop coherent responses to policy issues
  • Ability to foster positive team spirit, a motivating work environment and excellent relationships with staff and colleagues
  • Ability to work under pressure and prioritise effectively
  • Conflict resolution
  • Ability to maintain focus on longer term strategy