Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Senior Freedom of Information and Parliamentary Questions Officer
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This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
We are currently looking for a Senior Freedom of Information & Parliamentary Questions Officer to join our Customer Experience Centre Function within the Communications & Engagement group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU.
Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.
We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.
Who are we?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
The agency is made up of c.1300 staff working across two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.
The agency consists of Corporate, Partnerships, Transformation, Governance, Communications & Engagement, Scientific Research & Innovation, Healthcare Quality & Access, Safety & Surveillance, and Technology groups.
The role sits within the Customer Experience Centre (CEC) team, which is part of the Communications and Engagement Group which serves the whole Agency. The purpose of the team is to offer a single advice and information centre which can resolve enquiries, whenever possible, at the first point of contact, providing consistently good quality customer experience through a variety of channels and services. This involves assisting the Agency’s customers by answering queries received through the Agency’s main customer contact points (including, but not limited to, email and telephone). We have close working relationships across the Communications and Engagement group, the wider Agency, and others in the healthcare family and we use these relationships to support enhancements to the service we provide to our customers.
What’s the role?
This role offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of taking forward one of the Agency’s key priorities - to become patient-centred and putting our customers first. Reporting to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Manager, you will be responsible for responding to complex, technically and legally challenging information access requests in line with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). Responsible for the delivery of all FOI request handling processes; the escalation and approval point for all responses sent, and guide colleagues within your immediate team and the wider organisation to make sure that MHRA meets its obligations under the FOIA. In addition to this, you will also support the FOI manager when the role of commissioning and handling of Parliamentary questions and correspondence transitions to CEC. You will play an important role in shaping the future development and implementing of standards of Transparency across the Agency.
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Key responsibilities:
- Manage a caseload of FOI requests, internal reviews, and ICO investigations working in collaboration with Agency Groups and teams to review and evaluate complex information to determine whether the FOI regulations have been correctly applied, so that MHRA are compliant and protected from regulatory action.
- Manage complex and high-profile FOI requests as required, following internal processes to meet statutory deadlines. Using expertise to advise agency-wide colleagues and interpret complex information in order to support the drafting of clear, accurate, legally compliant FOI responses.
- Review and evaluate the handling of requests and internal reviews, and undertake research, to provide written submissions for ICO appeals as directed by the Head of FOIs & PQs, and to provide them with all relevant information required to manage higher appeals in the First-Tier Tribunal.
- Provide guidance and training to colleagues on case handling, the application of exemptions, and the construction of responses to improve the quality of request handling.
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will have the following:
- Aptitude for following process and procedure and ability to spot risks/issues/process improvements.
- Experience of working alongside and leading staff outside the immediate team, with the ability to influence and lead delivery. Ability to support others, prioritise, coordinate, and support the wider, changing needs of the business.
- Ability to interpret current affairs, MP interests, and departmental policy through a political and parliamentary lens is crucial.
- Proven ability to analyse and accurately interpret data from various sources to support decisions. Must be able to demonstrate the ability to present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of complex and sometimes incomplete evidence. Ability to make decisions confidently even when details are unclear or if they prove to be unpopular.
- Experience of working alongside and leading staff outside the immediate team, with the ability to influence and lead delivery. Ability to support others, prioritise, coordinate, and support the wider, changing needs of the business.
Person Specification:
Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation
Behaviour Criteria:
- Managing Effective Decisions (A, I)
- Delivering at Pace (A, I)
- Communicating and Influencing (A, I)
Technical Criteria:
- Detailed understanding of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (A, I)
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification! [https://mhra-gov.filecamp.com/s/d/wRb64mOBZ1w8EJLQ]
Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk
The selection process:
We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles].
- Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
- Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical, and Strengths Success Profiles.
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In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of: Communicating and Influencing.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.
Use of AI in Job Applications
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate, and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance [https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-recruitment/] for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
If you require any disability-related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Closing date: 24 August 2026
Shortlisting date: From 25 August 2026
Interview date: w/c 31 August 2026
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules].
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-baseline-personnel-security-standard].
Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:
- Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
- Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
- Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
- Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
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