Public Affairs Officer

British Medical Association

Hours
40 hours per week

Length of contract
6 month

About the Organisation

British Medical Association (BMA) is the professional association and trade union for doctors and medical students in the UK. It is prominent and influential at the heart of the current debate over the future of healthcare provision. The BMA speaks for doctors at all stages of their careers and is a leading voice on a wide range of professional and political issues affecting medicine and health.

The policy directorate's critical function is ensuring that the BMA leads debates on the range of public health, healthcare, and workforce issues. Equally critical is ensuring that our committees and internal structures work effectively and dynamically. The General Practitioners Committee (GPC) is the only body that represents all GPs in the UK. It deals with all matters affecting NHS GPs, regardless of BMA membership.

About the role

As a Public Affairs Officer, you will support the public affairs team in providing a timely, high-quality, and professional public affairs service to meet the aims of the BMA during what will be a busy and exciting period of dispute. You will alongside the Head of Public Affairs, lead the BMAs' planning and delivery of our presence at the forthcoming political party conferences. You will also represent the BMA at the conferences alongside Council Members and senior elected members. 

Responsibilities

Policy Monitoring and Analysis:

• Track and analyze policy developments, legislation, and regulatory changes relevant to the organization.
• Provide regular briefings and updates to internal stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Develop and maintain relationships with government officials, policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society.
• Represent the organization at external meetings, conferences, and public consultations.

Advocacy and Campaigning:

• Support or lead advocacy strategies to influence public policy in line with the organization’s objectives.
• Coordinate lobbying activities and draft position papers, consultation responses, and advocacy materials.

Communications and Media:

• Collaborate with communications teams to ensure consistent public messaging.
• Prepare press releases, public statements, speeches, and briefing notes for senior staff.

Strategic Planning and Reporting:

• Contribute to the development of public affairs strategies and action plans.
• Monitor outcomes and prepare internal reports on policy and stakeholder engagement impact.

Event Management:

• Organize and participate in stakeholder events, policy roundtables, and public forums.
• Ensure the organization’s presence and visibility in key political and policy spaces.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

• Previous experience working in a parliamentary, political, and public policy environment
• Political acumen and engagement
• Organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload effectively
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to act with diplomacy 
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Understanding of health policy issues and the challenges and opportunities facing the health and other public sectors
• Previous experience of party conferences would be advantageous, but not essential

Required Qualifications

• Educated to a minimum of degree level with a relevant professional qualification or equivalent relevant professional experience

Compensation & Benefits

• 30 days' annual Leave plus bank holidays and a BMA company day
• Double matching pension contributions 12% 
• Additional leave (after completion of the probationary period)
• Gym and subsidised café at BMA House
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) with free 
• Learning and Development/training opportunities
• Season ticket loan (up to £10,000) after completion of probationary period

Conditions of employment

• You must have the right to work in the UK

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please apply online.
• If you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support at any point during the application process, please email [email protected]

Interviews

• Only selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

Policies

BMA is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, and knowledge as we recognise that diversity makes us stronger.

Our ambition is to work together to promote a more inclusive environment, which attracts everybody signals our commitment to celebrate and promote diversity.

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