Policy Partner – Innovative Pathways - £60,778-£68,422 p.a. + benefitsJobsGoPublic
Job summary
We are currently looking for a Policy Partner – Innovative Pathways to join our Innovation Accelerator & Regulatory Science Function within the Science and Research group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU.
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. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.
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 Innovation and Compliance Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique proposition via an ambitious Science Strategy which will balance innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 3 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator and Regulatory Science, Clinical Investigations and Trials and Standards and Compliance.
Job description
The role offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of healthcare innovation in the UK. This role will focus on leading the development of cross-cutting innovation policy and regulatory pathways that support the safe adoption of emerging medicines, medical devices, artificial intelligence and other transformative technologies. The postholder will help shape the future regulatory environment, ensuring the Agency continues to develop policies that enable responsible innovation while protecting patient safety and public health. It is crucial that we continue to strengthen the UK's regulatory framework and innovation ecosystem, including the continued evolution of the Innovative Licensing and Access Pathway (ILAP) and development of the Regulatory Innovation Corridor (RIC), as part of demonstrating the UK’s commitment to supporting the development of new innovation.
Key responsibilities:
Lead the development and delivery of cross-cutting innovation policy and regulatory strategy, including supporting the future evolution of innovation pathways to enable responsible innovation and improve patient access to innovative healthcare products. Manage the governance and procedural frameworks that support Innovation Accelerator regulatory pathways, including operational roles and responsibilities, including the risk register and reporting on performance against KPIs.
Lead delivery of policy-based projects, acting as the project manager for multiple pieces of work, coordinating project roles, tasks and use of resources, and developing proposals for efficient delivery of projects.
Monitor the broader policy landscape relating to innovative product and regulatory environment, conducing policy analysis and formulating reasoned, evidence-based arguments for change through use of data and other information to draft reports, advice and briefings to senior leaders on a variety of policy and strategy areas.
Establish strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with the broader ambitions, including developing partnerships to support the delivery of projects and initiatives.
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will:
Be able to ensure plans and activities in your area of work reflect wider strategic priorities and communicate effectively with senior leaders to influence future strategies. Bring together views, perspectives and diverse needs of stakeholders to gain a broader understanding of the issues surrounding policies and activities.
Have demonstrable experience of managing complex programmes across multiple stakeholders.
Have demonstrable experience of strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align delivery with broader system objectives and policy context.
Have experience of delivering on policy (from defining the issue, working with stakeholders, and driving through to completion).
The successful candidate will have a key role in supporting cross-Agency work to develop and implement new policy aimed at streamlining regulatory pathways that accelerate the development of innovative products. In particular, they will work closely with technical experts, government departments, health system partners, industry and international regulators to identify regulatory challenges and opportunities, develop evidence-based policy solutions, and support the implementation of regulatory approaches that facilitate innovation and improve patient access. This includes helping to shape the future policy framework for innovation pathways, including ILAP and other strategic innovation initiatives, ensuring they continue to evolve to meet the needs of patients, innovators and the wider healthcare system. The postholder will need to work across the Agency, with partners and other key stakeholders who make up the UK’s health and care infrastructure.
Person specification
Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview, P=Presentation
Behaviour Criteria:
Making Effective Decisions (A, I)
Seeing the Big Picture (A, I)
Working Together (A, I)
Communicating and Influencing (A, I)
Experience Criteria:
Demonstrable experience of managing complex programmes across multiple stakeholders (A, I, P)
Demonstrable experience of strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to align delivery with broader system objectives and policy context (A, I, P)
Experience of delivering on policy (from defining the issue, working with stakeholders, and driving through to completion) (A, I, P)
Desirable: Experience of the health system and/or Life Sciences sector in the UK (A, I, P)
Technical Criteria:
Desirable: Educated to a bachelor's degree level in a scientific discipline (A, I)
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 [email protected]
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £60,778, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £17,607 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
Privilege Leave: 1 day
Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay
Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
Eligibility to join Motoring , Boundless by CSMA
Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
On-going learning and development
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
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 Seeing the Big Picture.
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 competency-based 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
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
Closing date: 13th September 2026
Shortlisting date: from 16th September 2026
Interview date: from 23rd September 2026
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact [email protected]
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.
Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.
Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater.
The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.
Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact [email protected].
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, in the first instance, you should contact the MHRA Recruitment Team at [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
[email protected]
Civil Service Commission
Room G/8
1 Horse Guards Road
London
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Name : The Resourcing Team
Email : [email protected]
Recruitment team
Email : [email protected]
Further information
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 contact the Resourcing Team at [email protected], in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk - [email protected] - Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ