Policy officer

Job description

Job purpose: To support the clinical & policy director and the policy & governance manager in the work of the policy directorate on explaining and influencing government and regulator policies, communicating within and outside our sector, and determining the future direction of optics. To inform and help to implement policy initiatives and projects in support of AOP members by researching and producing briefings on NHS structures, systems and services that may impact upon optometry and by being part of the team that respond to consultations that may affect AOP members. 

Reports to: Policy & governance manager

Responsible for: N/A

Budget responsibility: N/A

Directorate:  The policy directorate is responsible for the formation of AOP policy through member engagement, and for wide stakeholder engagement, to ensure that the AOP influences the eye health and wider policy agenda for the benefit of its members.

Organisation chart: To follow

1. Duties and key responsibilities

•  Produce internal and external briefings on current topics
• Draft and present papers for AOP’s Council, sub-committees, working groups and members
• Prepare policy updates for Council members
• Manage and monitor AOP submissions to external consultations, to include:
  • Advising on which consultations to respond to
  • Devising and agreeing consultation timelines so that all relevant AOP departments can be engaged
  • Collating views from across the organisation and producing drafts of consultation responses
  • Designing and conducting member surveys wherever relevant
• Support the clinical and policy director as appropriate in key aspects of their work, to include:
  • Attending meetings. For example, national negotiating (OFNC) work, meetings with other sector bodies and undertaking follow-up activities, such as writing notes or follow-up consultation and correspondence
  • Supporting specific projects, including by undertaking literature reviews, writing proposals, drafting briefings etc. 
• Liaise with the communications directorate to ensure that policy issues are communicated to members in line with AOP style and mechanisms
• Proactively monitor for wider policy and regulatory changes or announcements which may affect optometric practice or other areas of the AOP’s work and member services - highlight these and initiate appropriate discussion and action. 

2. General responsibilities

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting work at hand and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development
• Operate within organisational policies and work collaboratively with staff across the AOP
• Contribute to team meetings and organisational priorities, strategic goals and performance targets
• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop or be assigned within the broad remit of the post. 

3. Person Specification

Experience

• Experience in a health policy development role, preferably within the context of a committee-based governance structure
• Demonstrable experience of managing and responding to consultations
• Knowledge of NHS commissioning practices and protocols – experience of commissioning in general practice, dentistry, optometry or pharmacy are desirable
• Experience in developing policy materials, information and resources on varied issues for a wide range of audiences (internal and externally facing)
• Experience of working with a range of stakeholders, partnership working and/or strategic networking in a politically charged environment.

Skills and abilities

• Strong analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including ability to develop policies relevant to overarching objectives
• Robust understanding of the optometry sector and an ability to apply that knowledge to policy development
• Translating views and concerns of others into practical objectives and tractable policies
• Ability to write accessible materials on complex policy issues for a wide range of purposes and audiences  
• Confident and clear communications skills, be that face-to-face, on the phone or in online meetings and presentations
• Prioritising and decision making skills, including the ability to meet tight deadlines and work effectively under pressure, balancing conflicting priorities
• IT skills at a level that supports effective use of the Microsoft suite of applications
• Self-motivated with ability to work both on own initiative, and cooperatively as part of a team
• Self-starter.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of NHS commissioning practice and protocol
• Comprehensive knowledge of policy, legislative and regulatory concepts and processes
• Awareness of current political landscape in wider healthcare, NHS, regulatory and/or retail/commercial settings are all desirable  
• Knowledge of optometric practice and wider eye health sector (desirable, but not essential).

Education/training:

• Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, or with at least two years’ experience in a similar policy role.

To apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a covering letter, explaining your suitability for the role, and your CV to [email protected]

Closing date: 25 September 2026, 5pm