Policy Officer

Policy officers are responsible for the development, implementation or evaluation phases of policymaking. They also develop and implement strategies to shape and influence public policy within the remit of their organisation. They may specialise in a specific healthcare policy area, or can work across several policy areas.

An employee in this occupation will provide support and advice to decision-makers, such as senior managers, board members, ministers, or other stakeholders. They assist them in developing options to be able to respond to an issue or creating a change. They work to implement policy interventions by creating a set of actions and work with partners to deliver them.

Policy Officer is also known as Policy Officer, Policy Professional.

Role Characteristics

Conduct research and analysis on the relevant policy area.
Use evidence and data to present arguments and recommendations for policy interventions
Develop materials or products that explain the policy
Manage and respond to formal and informal information requests
Manage projects within agreed timescales and budget.
Track, monitor and report on the progress of a policy

Skills

Advice giving
Attention to detail
Communication
Using data
Working with groups
Written communication

Routes into this role

Here are some example routes that can lead into this role.

Maths and English skills

GCSEs

A-Levels

An apprenticeship

Undergraduate degree

How to become

You will usually need an undergraduate degree to become a policy officer, although degree level and subject requirements vary depending on the role. In some roles, specialist knowledge of the policy area you're working in through a degree in a relevant subject may be required or be an advantage. For other roles, an analytical subject or previous training in research methodologies may be an advantage.

Where can this role lead

No matter what role you start in or where you are in your career path, there are always opportunities to develop and progress in health and care.

You may wish to continue working in health care policy areas, progressing to become a senior policy officer or adviser and developing subject matter expertise.

When working in policy, your role will typically fall within one or more of the following specialisms:

• advising and briefing

• policy design

• policy delivery and implementation

• strategy

• legislation development

There is a potential for progression to become a policy manager, this would include responsibility for a number of policy areas and/or leading large and complex programmes of work.