Description We are currently looking for a Partnerships International Policy Lead & Programme Manager to join our Partnerships group. Please note this opportunity is currently only available to those working within the Civil Service and accredited non-departmental public bodies. Applications from non-Civil Servants may not be reviewed and may be rejected. This is a full-time opportunity, on a fixed term contract/loan/internal move or temporary promotion basis until December 2026. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. We are open to requests for part-time, job shares and flexible working. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment. Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites. We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Who are we? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The Partnerships Group is responsible for shaping the policy to guide the MHRA’s operations, for developing the national, international and commercial partnerships, that the MHRA will need to be successful; and for transforming and modernising the legal regime for medicines and medical devices which underpins all our work. The Group focuses on issues that are at the heart of public health – fast, safe access to medicines and medical devices, working with industry and NHS and other health Arms-length bodies (ALBs); tackling global health threats such as possible future pandemics; and supporting the future of the life sciences industry in the UK. We do all this while ensuring the voice of patients is at the heart of our work. What’s the role? We are recruiting one SEO Policy Advisor to join the Partnerships Group to support international partnership delivery on our new regulatory capacity strengthening work strand. The aim of this role is to work with the Head of Regulatory Capacity Strengthening to develop and implement a sustainable model for the MHRA’s regulatory capacity strengthening offer to international partners who are seeking to strengthen their regulatory systems. It will involve working with international partners such as the WHO, the Gates Foundation, regulators operating in other countries, and interested UK departments and NHS bodies, as well as technical experts across the MHRA who would deliver capacity building interventions. While our new model is being developed, we will also need to undertake some limited capacity building interventions, and the post holder would be responsible for programme managing these. This is a great opportunity to work with experts across MHRA and our international partners, including other regulators, to improve regulatory systems internationally and deliver better public health outcomes, including improving access to high quality and quantity medicines and medical devices in Low- and Middle-Income countries (LMICs). Key responsibilities: Supporting the Head of Regulatory Capacity Strengthening’s work on developing and implementing a sustainable model for the MHRA’s offer to international partners who are seeking to strengthen their regulatory systems and scoping out interventions for delivery over the medium term. The overall work includes researching and identifying different model approach options, stress testing them internally, agreeing sign-off and implementation of agreed approach. Leading on elements of the development and implementation of work plans for specific streams of activity under any agreed model. Convening cross-Agency working and strategy groups to develop, refine and implement our new model, including providing a secretariat function. Undertaking extensive internal and external stakeholder engagement and mapping activity with our national and international partners to understand priorities, identify synergies and explore opportunities for joint working/supporting collaboration under our new model. Acting as the lead point of contact for coordinating MHRA’s overall response to incoming reactive requests for assistance and / or regulatory capacity strengthening expertise from international partners and / or UK Government departments and embassies, including taking forward related logistics as needed. This includes regulatory capacity strengthening engagement stemming from trade missions. Overseeing necessary programme reporting and budgets, including under our pre-existing Gates Foundation grant and other potential sources of funding. Who are we looking for? Our successful candidate will: Experience in a relevant area in the civil service or other organisations, which give understanding of working in public sector. Demonstratable experience of international development programme management and overseeing multiple projects, including financial/budget management and reporting, preferably working to FCDO programme requirements. Ability to work together and collaborate with a range of internal and external colleagues, including senior stakeholders, and take account of their views to inform policy development. Ability to step back and ‘see the bigger picture’, considering links between own work and broader strategic goals. Ability to manage competing priorities and projects whilst maintaining quality. Additional desirable criteria: Experience of working in a regulatory environment and preferably in a health context; or Experience of working in a business development environment, including identifying different funding streams for programme activity and delivery. If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification! Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk The selection process: We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here. Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application. Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage. Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles. In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of Demonstratable experience of international development programme management and overseeing multiple projects, including financial/budget management and reporting, preferably working to FCDO programme requirements. Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description. Use of AI in Job Applications Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible. Closing date: 30 June 2025 Shortlisting date: 7 July 2025 Interview date: W/C 14 July 2025 Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome. If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here. Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks. Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include: Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here. Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk. In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Florentina Oyelami, Head of Talent Acquisition – Florentina.Oyelami@mhra.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk info@csc.gov.uk Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ