JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:Policy Manager, Hospitals Forum

Location:Leeds or London

Reports To:Associate Director Hospitals Forumwith professional link to policy team

Date Prepared:January 2013

PURPOSE

To provide support to the Hospitals Forum To recruit and retain acute and integrated NHS and Foundation Trust members to the NHS Confederation, to contribute to the NHSC’s objective of being the comprehensive voice of the healthcare sector by offering services members value including lobbying, sense-making, service offers, convening, and thought leadership

NATURE & SCOPE

The Hospitals Forum is being developed to provide support, lobbying and briefings to its members in areas of specific interest inacute and integrated care services.The policy team produces leading edge briefings, content for events, and comment and lobbying on national and relevant international policy, based on research and information from networks of key contacts. This role will enable and support close working across the broader NHSC teams to ensure that acute health policy development and comment is co-ordinated and supported across the NHS Confederation and that membership is comprehensive.

The post holder will work both independentlybeing managed directly by the Associate Director Hospitals Forum and link professionally to the policy team. The work involves a mixture of specific projects and a self managed work programme guided by the Associate Director and will include deputising for the Associate Director as required.

The post requires a high degree of contact withal acute and integrated Confederation members, non members, the DH and its various bodies, the internal NHSC teams and various contact networks within and outside the NHS Confederation.

STRUCTURE CHART

ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • To provide policy advice and information to shape the development of the Hospitals Forum work programme In order to recruit and retain comprehensive membership
  • To maintain an in depth knowledge of policy affecting community and acute services.
  • To regularly liaise with government department officials and stakeholders from a range of agencies and sectorsto keep abreast of upcoming policy developments and raise the profile of the Hospitals Forum
  • To liaise with Forum members to ensure that our work is relevant to their interests and responsive to their concerns is an important part of the job.
  • To write briefings and reports for publication, often as part of long term policy influencing projects. These projects will also require extensive consultation and liaison with other teams and Networks in the organisation.
  • To draft and deliver the annual plan for the Hospitals forum and contribute to the development of the team, and its strategic and business objectives
  • To assist the policy team with relevant project work and events including the NHS Confederation Annual Conference programme and other specific leading edge research projects, to contribute to appropriate policy outputs.
  • To take an active part within theHospitals Forum team, including deputising for the Associate director and policy team and undertake any other appropriate duties commensurate with the level of responsibility of the post

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The post requires knowledge of the NHS, experience of policy work (research and briefing), self-motivation and time management, and good communication skills. A new post holder would be expected to have the appropriate level of detailed knowledge of current policy, the work of the Hospitals Forum as it developsand of policy team and wider NHS Confederation products and processes.

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………………………………………………………..
Signature ……………………………………………………….
Date………………………………………………………
Manager Name………………………………………………………..
Signature ……………………………………………………….
Date………………………………………………………
Director Name………………………………………………………..
Signature ……………………………………………………….
Date………………………………………………………

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title:Policy Manager, Mental Health

ATTRIBUTES /

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

/ DESIRABLE CRITERIA / DEMONSTRATED BY
Experience / Experience of desk research, including literature search and review
Experience of producing briefings / Experience of working in a member organisation
Experience of contributing to conferences, workshops and similar events / Application
Knowledge / Knowledge of NHS / Current knowledge of mental health and international healthcare policy / Interview
Skills / Ability to work unsupervised and manage own time
Ability to work within and contribute to a team
Good written and oral communication skills
Ability to interact with senior and other key individuals
Ability to use standard software packages and internet / Enthusiasm to develop skills and knowledge / Interview