Main area Maternity Grade Band 7 Contract Fixed term: 9 months (secondment opportunity also available) Hours
* Full time
* Flexible working
37.5 hours per week (Flexible working requests considered on an individual basis) Job ref 279-7169819-APR25
Employer 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site PRH, RSCH, SRH, WH Town Brighton Salary £46,148 - £52,809 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 18/07/2025 23:59
7 Lead Professional Midwifery Advocate
Band 7
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First. In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in ourWellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
Are you passionate about supporting midwives, strengthening professional advocacy, and shaping the future of maternity care?
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA)to take on a fixed-term Band 7 leadership role to deliver a key strategic project across our large NHS Foundation Trust.
This exciting 6-month opportunitywill focus on leading the alignment of our PMA service across four maternity sites, raising the visibility and impact of the PMA role, and co-producing a Trust-wide PMA strategythat supports our midwifery workforce and improves outcomes for women and families.
Main duties of the job
About the Role:
The Lead PMAwill work closely with the Heads of Midwifery and our passionate team of PMAs to:
Align the delivery of the A-EQUIP model across all sites
Raise the profile and visibility of the PMA service across the Trust
Develop a sustainable, co-produced PMA s trategyand evaluation framework
Create robust processesto monitor service quality, reach, and impact
Lead on the development of a business planto secure ongoing funding for a permanent Lead PMA role and shape future PMA provision
Mentorship and guidance from Heads of Midwifery
Valuable experience in leadership, strategy development, and business planning
The chance to shape a service that directly impacts midwifery culture and care outcomes
This is a fantastic opportunity to influence change, embed professional midwifery advocacy at the heart of our maternity services, and leave a lasting legacy for staff wellbeing and quality care.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
About You:
You will be a qualified PMAand registered midwifewith excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills. You will have a clear understanding of the A-EQUIP model and experience in delivering restorative clinical supervision. Experience in service development, evaluation, or strategy work is desirable but not essential—what’s key is your motivation to lead change and collaborate across teams.
We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in our workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQI+ people.
You’ll be working in close partnership with a supportive senior leadership team, with the opportunity to drive forward a project that will make a genuine difference.
Please see detailed job description and person specification for more information.
Person specification
* Registered Midwife (degree level/equivalent) with active NMC PIN
* Extensive Experience as Professional Midwifery Advocate
* Experienced Midwife
* Sound range of clinical experience post registration in different maternity settings and roles
* Demonstrable well-developed Leadership Skills
* De-briefing/Coaching training or equivalent experience
* Mater's Degree/PGCert
* Proven track record in leading improvement projects successfully
* Experience of audit, evaluation or research
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
* Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
* Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria.For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications
Further Information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.
For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
This advert has been capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, it will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in this post to prevent you from missing out on applying for this opportunity.
Name Frances Barnes Job title Head of Midwifery Email address frances.barnes@nhs.net Telephone number 01273 696955 Additional information
Please do get in touch via email if you would like to discuss the role further.
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