Blood Cancer UK
Policy Officer - Scotland and Northern Ireland
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Policy Officer – Scotland and Northern Ireland
Role Focusing on UK-Wide Blood Cancer Policy & Public Affairs
Application Deadline: 30 July 2026 Department: Engagement Employment Type: Full Time Location: Edinburgh / Hybrid Compensation: £36,000 – £40,000 per annum
About the Role
Blood Cancer UK is the UK’s specialist charity dedicated to fighting blood cancer. Our mission is ambitious: we exist to beat blood cancer. We fund groundbreaking research, provide critical support to patients and families, and raise vital awareness around the nation.
We’re recruiting for two Policy and Public Affairs Officers—one based in London (covering England & Wales) and one in Edinburgh—focused on Scotland and Northern Ireland. Both roles will ensure the voices of those affected by blood cancer shape policy decisions at a national level.
As part of a collaborative UK-wide team, you’ll:
- Develop clarity-focused policy positions informed by evidence and the patient voice.
- Strengthen relationships with parliamentarians, NHS leaders, decision-makers, and advocates.
- Produce evidence-based briefings and consultation responses to influence health and care systems.
- Represent Blood Cancer UK at key meetings, events, and stakeholder forums.
Travel: Regular domestic travel across Scotland/Northern Ireland (Edinburgh/Belfast) is required, with occasional cross-UK trips (e.g., London, Cardiff, Glasgow) for national and organisational engagements.
Key Responsibilities
You will be responsible for ensuring Blood Cancer UK’s policy advocacy thrives, with a keen focus on Scotland and Northern Ireland. Your duties include:
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- Developing data-driven policy positions reflecting the unique experiences of those living with blood cancer in your remit.
- Conducting horizontal policy health scans, identifying emerging health policy risks/opportunities from clinical and societal perspectives.
- Collaborating with clinicians, researchers, and patients/Ambassadors to shape credible, impactful policy narratives.
- Maintaining the charity’s collective relationships with Parliament & Government, NHS stakeholders, and health research bodies.
- Preparing and submitting consultation responses, briefings, and policy recommendations to key decision-makers.
- Speaking on behalf of Blood Cancer UK at public/private events, policy discussions, and stakeholder meetings to influence outcomes.
- Coordinating capacity-building programmes (e.g., live briefings, specialist networks, advocacy training).
- Engaging in coalition-building, ensuring alignment with broader health charities and mental health/national health systems.
- Maintaining cutting-edge knowledge of NHS structures, devolution, and regulatory bodies impacting cancer care.
What We’re Looking For
Core Knowledge
- Strong grasp of the UK political landscape, including Parliament, devolved Government systems (Scotland & NI), and NHS structure.
- Evidence of understanding how health policy develops—especially in the context of cancer advocacy.
- Alignment with Blood Cancer UK’s values around equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in policy advocacy.
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Essential Skills
- Exceptional oral and written communication suited to engage with experts, officials, MPs, patient groups.
- Proven ability to produce persuasive, on-brand documents (briefing notes, position statements, issue papers) to tight deadlines.
- Projects management experience—undertaking measurable work to support commitments like events, coalition-stakeholder interactions, and coalition stacking.
- Experience in influence work that reflects patient and professional experiences.
Desirable Experience
- Prior work in policy, communications, or third-sector influence work, where evidence-based arguments successfully shaped decisions.
- Experience of working with patient voice in policy-making, including in Scotland/Northern Ireland (preferable).
- Knowledge of priorities for individuals affected by blood cancer at a grassroots and high-level policy scale.
- Actively working towards decolonising government policy and representing a diverse community within/without the charity.
Blood Cancer UK exists in a diverse, ambitious, and inclusive workplace. We actively welcomes applications from underrepresented groups and encourage you to contact us if you need adjustments to interview arrangements.
Deadline: 30 July 2026
Interview Dates:
- Round 1 (evolved interview): Tuesday 11 August (online)
- Round 2 (office visit): Tuesday 18 August (Edinburgh HQ)
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