Policy Officer

Policy Officer 
Harrogate, North Yorkshire 

We offer hybrid working and we are committed to paying the Real Living Wage. 

 
About Us 

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.  

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer. 

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.  

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships. 

 
The Benefits 

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, free onsite parking and a whole lot more. 

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Policy Officer, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen. 

 
The Role 
 
As our Policy Officer you will use the latest evidence and insight to drive the creation of policies and position statements and related key messages. The subject of these will be informed by the charity’s strategy as well as our priority setting processes but will largely be focused around: 

• Prevention - Reducing smoking rates particularly focusing on people who are already interacting with the health system, as well as other messaging around reducing risk of cancer. 

• Diagnosis - Improving the early diagnosis of cancer through promoting existing and new pathways for cancer diagnosis.  

• Treatment - Improving treatments available to patients across Yorkshire and improving access to clinical trials. 

Specifically, you will: 

Policy development 

• Work with the Policy and Public Affairs Manager to research and produce high quality, evidence-based cancer-related policies and position statements.  

• Work with relevant internal teams to create key messages for a range of internal and external stakeholders, ensuring these are in line with the latest evidence. 

• Ensure existing policies and position statements are kept up to date, taking ownership for these updates when new evidence is published. 

Influencing 

• Develop written policy materials and reports to aid influencing, considering priorities identified by PPI groups, the NHS, and coupled with insights from the latest data. 

• Support the charity’s response to regional and national consultations relevant to cancer in Yorkshire, ensuring responses are clear, succinct and evidence-based.  

• Represent the charity at external events and meetings, developing contacts, building relationships and increasing the charity’s profile. 

External communications 

• Work in collaboration with the Brand and Relationships team to support the delivery of public-facing brand and PR campaigns and messaging to ensure key policy messages are accurate and well-integrated.  

• Support idea generation, development and delivery of future public health campaigns where the focus could be on topics like screening, stopping smoking or cancer symptom awareness. 

 
About You 

To be considered for this role, you will need: 

• To have a degree in a relevant subject area, for example politics and government affairs, public policy etc.  

• To have experience of researching and writing evidence-based policies, including by conducting literature reviews.  

• To have experience of writing associated policy documentation such as briefings, letters, blogs and campaign materials.  

• To have experience of working with others to integrate key messages into external communications, such as blogs, press releases or campaigns. 

• To have a good understanding of a good understanding of local, regional, and national government, the current health policy landscape as well as knowledge of UK parliamentary processes.   

• To have excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills. 

• To be a strategic thinker with strong analytical, judgement and decision-making skills. 

• To be able to sift out the essential elements from a mass of complex information, integrate and synthesise ideas, and present information to others in an accessible way.  

• To have excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to prioritise work, handle conflicting demands and meet tight deadlines.   

Application 

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.  

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People before 14 July 2024. Please read our privacy notice before applying. 

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer.  We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity. 

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please contact us via our website.