Governance & Policy Lead - Pandemics - £46,160 - £51,666 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Governance & Policy Lead - Pandemics to join our Business Operations Function within the Safety & Surveillance 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.

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 Safety and Surveillance (S&S) Group brings together into a single integrated structure expertise on the safety of all medical products with enforcement capabilities. These functions are supported by the Agency’s data and evidence generating capabilities, complementing our signal generating abilities.

Against this background and the drive to improve treatment availability for patients, safety remains at the heart of all our decision making across the product life cycle. The central mission of the Safety & Surveillance portfolio is to protect the public by appropriately identifying, assessing and managing the risks associated with medical products. In every aspect of this work, we harness the best science, technology, information and professional practice to protect patients in new and impactful ways.

Job description

Further to the Government announcing it would establish an independent statutory inquiry into its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Inquiry was formally launched in June 2022, with full powers under the Inquiries Act 2005. Around the same time. the Scottish Government committed to a Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry which is also underway. Both inquiries seek to establish the facts about the response to the COVID-19 pandemic to identify lessons for the future. The MHRA has played, and continues to play, a vital role in supporting the Government’s response to pandemics. It will also play an active role in responding to public inquiries regarding pandemics and ensuring that lessons learned from pandemics are acted on.

The Governance and Policy Lead will report to the Pandemics Programme and Strategy Manager within the Regulatory Affairs Business Operations Team and will support regulatory affairs within S&S, including preparing all aspects of our response to the Covid-19 public inquiries and ongoing response to broader pandemic preparedness efforts.

What’s the role?

The Governance and Policy Lead will play a key role in the MHRA’s preparations and response the Covid-19 public inquiries, and ongoing response to broader pandemic preparedness efforts to both inquiries. The post holder will work independently and collaboratively, as circumstances require, in managing pandemic-related governance arrangements and developing the MHRA’s strategic narrative, providing an overview of how we supported the Government response to the pandemics, and how we prepare to continue to do so. This will involve working with cross agency pandemic preparedness and Government Legal Department (GLD) colleagues as well as liaising with Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) counterparts.

The post holder will support the project management of pandemic preparedness activities across the Agency, including MHRA’s contribution to the Tier 1 cross-government pandemic preparedness exercise in 2025–2026, ensuring lessons learned from the Inquiry and from previous pandemic responses translate into future operational and policy planning.

The post-holder will also support more general regulatory affairs and legislative changes in the S&S Group, including responding to complex Freedom of Information requests and supporting ongoing legal cases.

Key responsibilities:

• Build relationships and establish effective interfaces with DHSC counterparts, lawyers, MHRA teams and other bodies, to support successful delivery.

• Manage effective Inquiry governance arrangements, including secretariat duties, – facilitating cross- Agency input – and working with Government Legal Department and Counsel to successfully prepare for and engage with the Inquiries.

• Play a lead role in developing the MHRA response to requests for evidence commissioned via Rule 9 requests, helping to shape the MHRA’s narrative and overall approach to collating and disclosing information, including supporting current and former MHRA officials in preparing for and potentially giving evidence to the Inquiries

• Prepare project management and governance documentation – coordinating activity, undertaking regular monitoring, and planning, identifying / mitigating / escalating risks / issues, and supporting contract / budget management – ensuring Agency decisions are audited and plans are delivered.

• Lead the coordination and response to COVID-19 and pandemic-related correspondence, including Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, media enquiries, parliamentary questions, and public correspondence. This includes managing fluctuating demand around Inquiry hearings and supporting legal disclosure and coroner’s inquests.

• Ensure that insights and lessons from the COVID-19 Inquiry and other past pandemic responses— both domestic and international—are captured, analysed, and applied to strengthen the Agency’s future preparedness and response capabilities

• Support more general regulatory affairs and legislative changes in the S&S Group, including responding to complex Freedom of Information requests and supporting ongoing legal cases.

Person specification

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have the following:

• Seeing the Big Picture: Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area. Understand how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.

• Delivering at Pace: Ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues to use to do their job effectively. Regularly monitor your own and team’s work against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks. Act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to maintain performance.

• Communicating and Influencing: Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests

• Experience of and ability to build excellent working relationships with stakeholders at all levels

• A track record of providing high quality advice and briefing, interpreting, and succinctly communicating complex information to wider audiences

• Previous programme / project experience, including planning and prioritisation

Person Specification:

Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Seeing the Big Picture (A, I, P)

• Delivering at Pace (A, I, P)

• Communicating and Influencing (A, I, P)

Experience Criteria:

• A track record of providing high quality advice and briefing, interpreting, and succinctly communicating complex information to wider audiences

• Previous programme / project experience, including planning and prioritisation (A, I, P)

• Experience of and ability to build excellent working relationships with stakeholders at all levels (A, I, P)

• Experience working on and responding to public Inquiries and drafting complex regulatory information with consideration for legal implications and public understanding (Lead Criteria) - (A, I, P)

Technical Criteria:

• Strong IT skills with the ability to effectively use in a project environment including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel (A)

• A degree (desirable in a scientific discipline) or equivalent experience. (A)

Strengths Criteria:

• Efficient (I)

• Explainer (I)

• Resilient (I)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,160, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £13,372 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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 the Civil Service Motoring Association (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: Experience working on and responding to public Inquiries and drafting complex regulatory information with consideration for legal implications and public understanding.

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.

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: 05 March 2026

Shortlisting date: From 06 March 2026

Interview date: w/c 23rd March 2026

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.

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 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 careers@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

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a 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 : Rebecca Pontac
• Email : Rebecca.Pontac@mhra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Careers@mhra.gov.uk

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 Careers@mhra.gov.uk, 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 - info@csc.gov.uk - Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ