Job Description
Policy Officer - Scotland and Northern Ireland
Application Deadline: 30 July 2026
Department: Engagement
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Edinburgh/Hybrid
Compensation: £36,000 - £40,000 / year
We're the UK's specialist blood cancer charity and our vision is clear: we’re here to beat blood cancer. We fund world-class research; provide information and support to patients and their loved ones; and raise awareness of blood cancer.
We are recruiting two Policy and Public Affairs Officers to join our Policy and Influencing team at Blood Cancer UK. One role will be based in London and focus on policy and public affairs activity across England and Wales, while the other will be based in Edinburgh and lead our work in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Both roles will play a vital part in ensuring that the voices of people affected by blood cancer are heard by decision-makers and that evidence-based solutions influence governments, health systems and policymakers across the UK.
Working as part of a collaborative UK-wide team, you will develop evidence-based policy positions, build and maintain relationships with parliamentarians, government officials and health stakeholders, and produce high-quality briefings and consultation responses. You will also represent Blood Cancer UK at meetings, events and stakeholder forums, helping to influence policy and drive meaningful change for people affected by blood cancer.
This role will require regular travel within your respective nations (England and Wales or Scotland and Northern Ireland) to attend meetings, events and stakeholder engagement activities. In addition, there will be occasional travel across the UK, including to London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast and other locations, to support cross-UK influencing activity, team meetings and organisational events.
We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. In line with our strategy we welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities, and applicants with a disability, to better reflect the community we serve and help broaden our perspectives.
Expected interview dates:
Tuesday 11 August – first stage, online
Tuesday 18 August – second stage, in person in our Edinburgh office
Key Responsibilities
Develop Blood Cancer UK’s policy and influencing work in the UK, focussing on the specific needs of people living with blood cancer, ensuring we are solutions-focussed and evidence based.
Horizon scan for emerging policy issues by collaborating closely with senior colleagues
Develop Blood Cancer UK’s policy positions by gathering insights from healthcare professionals, researchers, and the blood cancer community.
Place the blood cancer community at the heart of policy and influencing activity, including working with Ambassadors and the Policy Collective.
Build and maintain Blood Cancer UK’s relationships with key stakeholders in Parliaments, Governments, across the NHS, health and research policy.
Represent Blood Cancer UK at external events, meetings and consultations, advocating for people with blood cancer and influencing decision-makers.
Organise events, visits, and briefings to communicate messages and influence external stakeholders.
Coordinate with senior colleagues to influence policy outcomes and align policy positions and priorities across all four UK nations.
Maintain and share detailed knowledge of the health and blood cancer policy landscape, including NHS structures and local/national organisations responsible for delivering blood cancer services.
Represent Blood Cancer UK on policy coalitions, at health conferences, and in meetings with officials and decision makers.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Knowledge
- Knowledge of the UK political environment and parliamentary procedures.
- Understanding of the NHS And health policy-making across the UK.
- Demonstrating commitment to equal opportunities, diversity, and organisational values.
Skills
- Exhibiting excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and able to work effectively with Parliamentarians, government officials and wider stakeholders.
- Producing clear and persuasive written material for diverse audiences, including parliamentarians, government officials and internal colleagues
- Ability to oversee and manage projects e.g. events and briefings.
Experience
- Working in a policy and/or public affairs role for a charity, company, agency or in Parliament
- Producing clear, persuasive written materials for parliamentarians, government officials and staff to tight deadlines.
- Experience or knowledge of involving people affected in policy work.
