Sands exists to save babies’ lives and ensure that anyone affected by pregnancy loss or baby loss receives the support and care they need.
Tommy's are the largest charity funding research into the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. We also provide information for parents-to-be to help them have a healthy pregnancy and baby
In 2022 the charities Sands and Tommy’s came together to form a Joint Policy Unit. Our shared vision is for a future where fewer babies die, and inequalities in baby loss are eliminated so that everyone can benefit from the best possible outcomes.
Working together we want to secure policy changes that will reduce rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term birth and neonatal death, and to work to eliminate inequalities in these outcomes. We will do this by
• Holding governments across the UK to account on progress, and ensuring that saving babies lives and reducing inequalities is the national policy priority it deserves to be
• Working to ensure progress is being made to improve the safety of maternity and neonatal services, so that everyone can benefit from best-practice care.
• Promoting policy change so that new research and evidence leads to improvements in care
The Policy Officer will be key to helping the Joint Policy Unit achieve these objectives.
The role-holder will support the unit in delivering on our programme of policy work, and to support our external engagement so that saving babies’ lives is a key part of NHS/government policy across the UK. This will include work on a range of projects and outputs. The role-holder will play a lead role in supporting the unit’s responses to government consultations and inquiries, and engagement with new strategies and plans for the health service.
We are looking for someone with an understanding of the policy environment, ability to analyse policy and develop high-quality written outputs. You will be a great communicator with the ability to translate insights into clear messages for different audiences (e.g. policymakers, stakeholders, supporters and the public).
Experience of leading and managing projects is essential for this role, as is a clear understanding of the relationship between research, policy and practice. Additionally, you will need to have a good understanding of the current policy environment as it relates to reducing baby loss and tackling inequalities, as well as enthusiasm for continued learning and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances.
Please note this is a 1-year fixed term contract to cover maternity leave.
To apply:
Please submit your CV, together with a supporting statement that demonstrates how you meet the criteria in the person specification to recruitment@sands.org.uk.
Please also complete the Diversity and Equality Monitoring Form and send this with your application.
CVs and supporting statements should be sent as attachments to an email in either Word or PDF format. The title of the attachments should be your first name, surname and either CV or supporting statement e.g. “NAME CV”
Due to the high volume of applications expected for this role, we will close the vacancy once we have received 100 applications.
Closing date for applications: 26th January 2025
Interview date: 5th - 7th February 2025
As we have limited staff resources we are unable to provide candidates with feedback about their applications. Interviews will be held online.
Download the application pack:
