Policy Adviser - London, United Kingdom - Royal Society

Royal Society

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

1 week ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

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Description

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The Royal Society is seeking a Policy Advisor to support a key project investigating the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for the management of future pandemics.

The Royal Society provided independent scientific expertise and evidence to support the science advice used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the pandemic eased, The Society turned its attention to what could be learnt about the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in controlling transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

NPIs include any public health measure which is not a vaccine or drug eg stay-at-home orders, mask wearing and test and trace initiatives.

Many thousands of academic papers were analysed which culminated in the publication of a policy report and theme issue of the journal _Philosophical Transactions A _in August 2023, which were used evidence to inform Module 2 of the UK COVID-19 inquiry.

Whilst the first project focused on the use of NPIs in mitigating the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, this only represents a very narrow range of infection parameters for the respiratory route of transmission.

The next pandemic could be transmitted via a different mechanism eg blood, contact, oral (food/water) or via an animal vector.

NPIs are our first line of defence when a new infection emerges and effective pharmaceuticals and vaccines have yet to be identified.

However, they can be economically costly and socially disruptive.

It is critical therefore to consider what the optimum strategy for NPI implementation should be to save as many lives as possible while minimising unnecessary burdens on societies.

Emergency and resilience planning functions within UK government are a key audience for this work, but the post holder will be expected to engage with and maintain a broad network of stakeholders, both internal and external.

These will include the Society's Council and relevant committees, scientists and the Fellowship, international scientific advisors and the media. An ability to engage with a broad range of stakeholders will therefore be essential.

Ongoing and close engagement with the Co-chairs and scientists on the expert working group will be critical to the success of this project.

In the near term, the role will involve: developing key stakeholder relationships, including with the Co-chairs, the Expert Working Group, lead Fellows and experts, and the UK government; developing and managing a detailed project plan; leading the coordination of Expert Working Group; leading the project management and coordination of the overall project and final outputs.

As the Policy Advisor you will enjoy exceptional visibility and variety.

Qualified to a minimum of degree level, you should be someone who enjoys leading programmes, working in a pro-active timely manner, comfortable with managing and advising senior staff and Fellows, assessing and reporting on scientific technical information in a clear and concise manner, writing documents for diverse audiences, problem solving, and building strategic networks.

You will possess experience of multi-stakeholder projects and organisational planning.

The Royal Society is the UK's science academy, dedicated to promoting excellence in science and encouraging the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity.

It is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world's most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering and medicine.

Providing scientific advice to shape policy is one of its strategic priorities.

The Society's reputation for excellence in science policy is founded on the expertise of its Fellows, its wider convening power, and the quality, rigour and timeliness of all its work.

The Science Policy team comprises around 50 staff working across a range of themes and policy areas, according to scientific and policy priorities.

It works in partnership with businesses, national academies, learned societies, charities and government, and deploys a wide range of channels and approaches - from the delivery of major reports to rapid shorter statements, the creation of influential networks, skilful use of the Society's digital and media channels, and well-founded programmes of events.

Reports to:

Senior Policy Advisor:
Emerging Technologies and Futures

Line manages:
N/A

Location: 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG.

Hours: 35 hours per week

Pay Band:
D

Salary:
£35,931-£44,913

Contract Type:
Fixed term, 12 months

Closing date: 25 February 2024, 23:59pm

All Royal Society roles are office based at our Piccadilly premises, although some hybrid working is available depending on the role. No fully remote contracts are offered. Please ensure you are able to come to our central London offices on a regular basis, whenever you are needed, and at your own expense before applying. We do not offer any relocation allowance or travel subsidy._

Responsibilities: