Who we are:
The College of Sexual and Reproductive (CoSRH) is the leader in the field of sexual and reproductive healthcare, and
we are the voice for professionals working in this area. As a multi-disciplinary professional membership
organisation, we set clinical guidance and standards, provide training and lifelong education, and champion safe
and effective sexual and reproductive healthcare across the life course for all.
You can find out more at cosrh.org
Can you help us?
The role:
The Policy and Public Affairs Lead for Devolved Nations will drive CoSRH’s engagement and policy work in Scotland,
Wales, and Northern Ireland. This key strategic liaison role will support the Director of External Affairs in
enabling delivery of the CoSRH’s Hatfield Vision across all UK nations, and in supporting CoSRH members and
interests in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
For this new role, we are seeking an experienced and forward-looking individual interested in developing the
strategic and influencing work of CoSRH in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and in ensuring that CoSRH
represents members and their interests across the UK.
Key tasks:
1.Stakeholder engagement:
Lead CoSRH’s stakeholder engagement programme in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales - influencing policy debate,
contributing to building internal capacity on devolved and regional issues, and in building key
relationships.
Collaborate with colleagues across CoSRH to develop and deliver a strategic programme of engagement across Scotland,
Wales, and Northern Ireland, ensuring that the work of member committees in devolved nations feeds into wider
CoSRH activity, inclusive of the Hatfield Vision, and that the CoSRH President maintains appropriate oversight
at Taskforce level.
Manage internal and external relationships with key individuals and organisations including parliamentarians, civil
servants and policymakers in the devolved governments of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales; staff and member
representatives of sister organisations like British Association for Sexual Health and HIV and Royal College of
Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, and nation-specific networks and collaborative groups such as Cross-Party
Group for Women’s Health in Scotland, and Women’s Health Wales.
Develop, deliver, and evaluate plans for specific areas of policy and stakeholder engagement work, including
influencing decision-makers, building, and strengthening support among key regional and national stakeholders in
the devolved nations.
Working in collaboration with the Director of External Affairs and Chairs of the CoSRH Scotland, Wales and Northern
Ireland Committees, to represent CoSRH at a variety of conferences, meetings, and events across the three
devolved nations.
2.Policy, Public Affairs & Partnership Building
Monitor the external environment for issues that may impact on SRH, and help identify, analyse and grasp
opportunities to influence policy and public opinion relevant to CoSRH’s work within the three devolved nations,
outlining CoSRH’s position/response to policy and public opinion developments.
Develop and oversee the effective monitoring of parliamentary activity in the devolved nations in relation to sexual
and reproductive healthcare and related interests.
Produce policy briefings for the organisation’s leadership including President, Officers and CEO as relevant.
Advise on, assimilate evidence for and produce responses to external consultations issued by Government departments
and other relevant agencies across the three devolved nations, consulting with members and drawing on relevant
policy documents.
Engage with CoSRH members, policy makers and the public across the three devolved nations including supporting the
CoSRH Media and Communications Manager role where necessary, helping with media and social media output.
3. Committee support
Work with the CoSRH External Affairs & Membership & Engagement Teams to provide secretariat support as
required to CoSRH’s member committees in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As required, work with the CoSRH External Affairs & Membership & Engagement Teams as well as devolved nation
chairs to develop and implement meetings and their agendas, record actions and discuss strategic approaches to
the delivery of actions with relevant leaders.
As required, work with the CoSRH External Affairs & Membership & Engagement Teams to ensure that the work of
member committees in devolved nations feeds into wider CoSRH activity, inclusive of the Hatfield Vision, and
that the CoSRH President maintains appropriate oversight at Hatfield Vision Taskforce level.
Key skills and attributes
Essential:
- Proven public policy experience, ideally within the health sector, with a good understanding of devolved
policymaking and influencing opportunities.
- Knowledge of the healthcare systems across the three
devolved nations.
- Experience in developing relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including
developing partnerships for collaboration on joint initiatives, projects and/or events, in order to deliver
organisational impact.
- Demonstrable experience of drafting clear and engaging briefings and policy
submissions, tailored to different audiences.
- Ability to work proactively and independently supporting
colleagues in nations as well as part of a broader team function.
- Demonstrable evidence of supporting
the delivery of business priorities and delivering stakeholder engagement plans.
- Ability to manage a
varied workload with flexibility and adaptability.
- Ability to quickly grasp complex issues and provide
analysis.
- Outstanding attention to detail
- Excellent prioritisation and time-management
skills.
Desirable:
- Experience of working in charity and/or membership organisation.
- Experience of organising parliamentary
or stakeholder events.
- Knowledge of sexual & reproductive healthcare policy.
Join our team and contribute to the exciting work of the External Affairs team - influencing policy and practice
through evidence-based advocacy as well as raising awareness of SRH among our partners, members and the wider
public across the UK.
A flexible approach to working hours is necessary as there are some evening meetings in various locations and, with
occasional travel possibility elsewhere in the UK, although many of them take place virtually.
NB: In order to fulfil this role you should be resident in the UK with a valid right to work; we are unable
to sponsor people requiring a work visa.
We will offer you:
We offer a range of benefits at CoSRH to support staff wellbeing, including:
25 days holiday, with an additional 2 days leave after 2 years of service, and a further 3 days after 5 years.
Birthday leave
Flexible working culture
Pension and life assurance scheme: 10% employer contribution / 5% employee contribution after successful completion
of probation. This also includes access to life assurance at 4x annual salary and an income protection
scheme.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Employee discounts portal
Free Lunch Thursday
Enhanced maternity, paternity & adoption pay
Free eye tests
Training and development: We want our staff to feel invested in and have the time and space to grow, learn and
develop in their roles. We provide a range of learning and development opportunities, from webinars and
conferences to bespoke training sessions.
*For anyone wishing to work remotely in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, home working with occasional travel to
London will also be considered. Generally, travel to Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and where applicable,
London, should be assumed to occur at least 12 times a year in total.