Policy Advisor Fixed term, Part time

SALARY £61,475 (pro rata)

About the role

To support a forthcoming programme of policy and analytical work, we are seeking to bring in additional expertise into our Policy Team, part of the Policy and Communications Directorate, through two fixed-term secondments.

The roles will be supporting a Commission by the Scottish Government to undertake a Right Touch Assurance (RTA) Assessment of Healthcare Science roles. In Healthcare Science in Scotland: Defining Our Strategic Approach, the Scottish Government set out its intention to redefine the Healthcare Science NHS workforce in Scotland to ensure its expertise is fully utilised to meet the evolving needs of the population. You can read more about the commission here: Scottish Government commissions PSA to conduct Right-touch assurance assessment for Healthcare Science | PSA

To support that work, this RTA assessment will consider whether current regulatory and employer controls are sufficient to manage the risk of harm arising from these roles. As well as gathering and analysing evidence, the assessment will include seeking the views of relevant stakeholders. 

We are offering a secondment opportunity for a Policy Adviser, 4 days a week, for a fixed term of approximately nine months. The successful candidate will lead a project to deliver a piece of commissioned work, looking at evidence of risk linked to a range of occupations, and potential solutions for addressing any unmanaged risks.

This secondment will provide valuable opportunities for an individual to:

• Contribute to a significant cross‑system project
• Broaden their experience of policy development, project support and regulatory oversight

• Strengthen collaboration between PSA, regulators and Accredited Registers

   

We would welcome expressions of interest from individuals who believe they meet the person specifications in the job description, with a particular focus on analytical skills, report writing and stakeholder engagement. See below for details of how to apply.

We currently operate a hybrid policy. In the first sixth months of employment full-time staff working over five days will be expected to attend the office three days a week, after this the requirement is two days a week in the office. However, should you require any reasonable adjustments or wish to discuss the possibility of further flexible working please contact us directly to discuss. 

The PSA’s offices are currently located in Blackfriars, London.

About you

We are looking to recruit a fixed-term, part-time Policy Adviser, ideally on secondment. 

You will be a policy professional, supporting research, and the development of policy within the field of health and care professional regulation.

You will need and a strong commitment to protecting patients and the public. You will also need to share our values of integrity, transparency, respect, fairness and teamwork.

About the Professional Standards Authority

We are the UK’s oversight body for the regulation of people working in health and social care. There are 10 organisations that regulate health professionals in the UK and social workers in England by law. We audit their performance and review their decisions on practitioners’ fitness to practise. We also accredit and set standards for organisations holding registers of health and care practitioners not regulated by law. We share good practice, knowledge and our right-touch regulation expertise. We monitor policy developments in the UK and internationally, providing guidance to governments and stakeholders. 

We are committed to promoting a fair and inclusive workplace where all our staff can flourish and reach their full potential. We know that a diverse workforce, at all levels, allows for a more creative and productive environment bringing different viewpoints, knowledge and experience. Therefore, we strongly encourage applications from everyone irrespective of age, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability, ethnicity and sexual orientation. 

As a Disability Confident employer, we will guarantee an interview for people with disabilities who meet all the essential criteria and so if you would like to be considered under this scheme then please let us know. 

If you have any questions about the application process, or would like reasonable adjustments to be made at any stage of the process, please do not hesitate to contact the HR team on 0207 389 8050 or email us at recruitment@professionalstandards.org.uk.

To apply for this position, please complete the Expression of Interest form, and submit, along with your CV to recruitment@professionalstandards.org.uk.

If you would like to discuss the role informally, please colleagues contact Melanie Venables, Director of Policy and Communications, or Dinah Godfree, Head of Policy. in the first instance.

The closing date for applications is 4 June 2026 (11.59pm).

Interviews will be held on 10, 11, 12 June 2026. Please note that it is unlikely that an alternative interview date could be offered should you be unable to attend at this time. 

We are looking for candidates who can take up the role by 13 July at the latest.

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