About the job

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Technical Communications Lead to join our Clinical Investigations and Trials Function within the Science, Research and Innovation group.

 

This is a full-time opportunity, on a fixed term contract basis until 31 March 2025. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.  

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 4 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 8 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. Remote working is potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment. 

 

 

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 Scientific Research and Innovation Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique proposition via an ambitious Science Strategy which will balance innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 6 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.  

 

Clinical Investigations & Trials is focused on informing design and authorising clinical trials and clinical investigations whilst supporting and enabling clinical sponsors. This function will look to expand its activity across combination (medicines and devices) applications and will aim to ensure patient centricity is at the forefront. 

Job description

What’s the role?

 

You will be responsible for managing all enquiries on Clinical Trials and work closely with other teams to meet the Agency’s key priorities of maintaining public trust through transparency and proactive communication and putting our customers first. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Work independently to carry out review and prioritisation of enquiries and coordinate official replies in line with Agency policies and protection of public health, by working closely with the Clinical Trials and Investigations, the Communications and MHRA Customer Experience Centre teams. 

 

• Lead further improvements in communications with external stakeholders ensuring that excellent standards of customer service are in place and maintained, using knowledge of Clinical Trial submission documentation and regulations. 

 

• Take responsibility for meeting Agency quality and deadline requirements for replies to all clinical trial related enquiries including official correspondence. Lead a review to establish current metrics and areas for improvement.  

 

• Monitor service performance, developments and feed back to senior management about any issues and propose solutions. Be alert to campaigns or developments that may impact the team and/or increase demand.  

 

• Develop good working relationships and communicate effectively with colleagues and external stakeholders.  

Person specification

Who are we looking for? 

 

Our successful candidate will: 

 

 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and concise answers and to adapt delivery to suit the customer in question.  
• Effectively organise workload, manage conflicting priorities, meet deadlines and targets, and consistently achieve the highest standards of delivery. 
• Proven ability to take initiative and demonstrate an analytical approach towards work and process improvements. 
• Proven ability to build relationships with a range of stakeholders both internal and external and identify opportunities to share knowledge, information, learning and continuous improvement. 
• Graduate with life science degree and/or relevant experience working the pharmaceutical industry or academia. Excellent IT skills. 

 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,869, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £11,574 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification! 

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. 

 

• Online application form, including a statement of suitability, attached as a PDF demonstrating how you meet the person specification. 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. Please ensure not to include any personal identifying information on your supporting information.
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles. 

 

 

 

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 statement of suitability provided. You can view the criteria for this role in the job description.

 

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:  18 December 2023

Interview date: W/C 08 January 2024

 

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. 

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.

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.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

 

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

 

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Mira Mepa, Head of Recruitment and Operations, Mira.Mepa@mhra.gov.uk.  

 

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk 

 

info@csc.gov.uk 

Civil Service Commission 

Room G/8 

1 Horse Guards Road 

London 

SW1A 2HQ 

 

 

 

 

 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.