Policy and Engagement Officer

As Policy and Engagement Officer, you will support the Public Affairs and Policy Manager in developing, implementing, and reviewing our policy and public affairs strategy and action plan that aims to ensure the voices of people living with or at risk of chest, heart and stroke conditions and their families are heard by decision makers. You will work across various issues and influence policy and legislative changes to improve people’s health and lives. The successful candidate will be highly motivated, organised, and committed to identifying opportunities and ways to engage the public, clients, and broader stakeholders in our policy work and listen to what matters to them to inform our policy priorities.  

 The role is responsible for the following duties:  

• Monitoring and assessing policies and strategies related to chest, heart, and stroke and the wider health and social system, seeking opportunities.  
• Supporting, developing, and coordinating a continuous engagement programme with politicians, the health and social care system, partners, service users, clinicians, the public, and other stakeholders.  
• Strengthening the voice of the service user and the public in our policy work.  
• Developing evidence based and people informed NICHS policy positions.   
• Monitoring and reporting on the impact of our activities in line with our organisational impact framework  
• Organising events and meetings to raise awareness of NICHS and our policy priorities.  

  Key Tasks:  

• Support the Public Affairs and Policy manager in developing, implementing, and reviewing our public affairs strategy and action plan, which is aligned with the NICHS strategic plan.  
• Research and produce evidence-based NICHS policy positions for our priority areas, and regularly review current and new policies to ensure they are up to date.  
• Proactively monitor and identify opportunities, consultations, legislation, and policy changes that could negatively or positively impact NICHS and our community.  
• Responsible for updating policy copy for our website and producing social media, PR, and print, working closely with our communications and engagement team.  
• Provide colleagues with support, advice, and materials on policy-related matters and produce briefing materials or presentations as needed.  
• Produce NICHS’s responses to policy consultations, ensuring that they are informed by the views of colleagues and people affected by CHS illness and their families.  
• Establish mechanisms for engaging with the public, patients, service users and clinicians in our policy and campaigning work.  
• Network and build relationships with stakeholders across the third, state and private sectors, tracking and logging stakeholder contacts, updating contacts, and creating stakeholder maps for priority areas.  
• Develop, maintain and manage an effective stakeholder database.   
• Manage projects, organise and plan campaigning and policy events and meetings with meticulous planning, prioritisation, and organisation skills, and produce reports on activities.  
• Represent NICHS at forums, media, policy, and party conferences and events as required, organise our exhibition stands, and provide NICHS input into these events.  
• Produce a policy and public affairs impact card in line with our overall NICHS impact framework and ensure all activity is logged, monitored and reported on time.  
• Produce an annual plan, KPIs and reports when required.  
• Contribute and support the work of the wider public health directorate and NICHS’s overall strategy and plans.  
• Deputise for the Public Affairs Manager when required or if absent. 
• Manage people, budgets and resources when required. 
• Always act as an Ambassador for Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, representing the organisation at external events, activities, and media, if required.  
• Maintain effective administrative systems aligned with GDPR and other corporate policies and undertake own administration, including correspondence, event management, and filing.  

  Corporate Responsibilities  

• To undertake any other duties commensurate with the purpose and remit of the post.
• To work in line with our NICHS Strategy and Impact Framework.
• To participate in and support other NICHS and public health directorate activities and priorities, including NICHS campaigns and media, as required.
• To comply with all NICHS policies, processes and procedures, ensuring delivery of a professional service that aspires to achieve the most significant impact.
• To contribute and collaborate proactively and positively with all NICHS teams and staff to align with our values and culture and achieve our strategic plan, mission, and vision.
• To fully engage with our values and culture.
• To promote and practice a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.