Head of Policy, medicine pricing
Department of Health and Social Care
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 14th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose - to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.
In the Medicines Directorate, we work to make sure patients can access the best available treatments, whilst ensuring value for money for the NHS, and supporting a flourishing life sciences sector. Working closely with the NHS, the Office for Life Sciences, and patient and industry stakeholders, we aim to harness the benefits of new innovations and established treatments alike to improve health outcomes across the UK.
The medicines budget represents the second highest area of NHS spend after staff, and spend on medicines is increasing each year, so the work that we do to control spending is critical to the sustainability of the NHS. The medicines pricing team is responsible for Government policy on how and what the NHS pays for branded medicines from engagement with the Intellectual Property Office to make sure the patent system works for patients, to working with system partners on patient access to new innovations, to delivering strategies on for generating greater savings on older medicines.
In particular, we lead the negotiation, implementation and operation of the 2024 voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access, and growth (VPAG), which is one of the largest commercial deals the Government has ever made and is expected to save the NHS around £14bn over the next 5-years. This scheme, along with its counterpart statutory regulations, forms the cornerstone of UK medicines pricing policy.
We are looking for a motivated and high performing individual to lead Government policy on medicines pricing and to ensure that that we deliver can realise the benefits of VPAG for patients, the NHS and the Life Sciences sector.
If you want to lead an expert policy team that:
- Is part of the solution to the biggest health issues impacting patients such as how to harness and fund advanced therapies for Alzheimer's;
- Engages with cutting edge analytical and academic research;
- Is at then coalface of high value commercial negotiations with the life sciences sector;
Then you should apply to join the medicines pricing team.
Job description
The successful candidate will lead Government policy on branded medicines pricing, working closely with stakeholders in the NHS, Office for Life Sciences, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellent, as well as with representatives of the pharmaceutical industry.
Following the agreement of the 2024 VPAG, they will ensure the effective implementation of the scheme by all delivery partners and put in place mechanisms for the evaluation of the scheme. When the scheme is fully established, they will develop policy and strategy for the future of the voluntary scheme, including, leading preparations at the appropriate time for the re-negotiation of the scheme.
The successful candidate will lead the policy team (2 x G7s, 1 x SEO and 1 x HEO), building capability within the Department to cement our place as centre of expertise on medicines, the pharmaceutical market, and healthcare economics. Drawing together insights from academic research, industry feedback, and cross-government stakeholders, they will deepen the evidence base for the impact of different approaches on patients, the NHS and the economy, and use this to deliver new strategic approaches to medicines pricing and value for money. They will lead Department thinking a range of thematic issues related to medicine pricing (for example intellectual property, biosimilars, international engagement) to support Ministers and senior officials, and to ensure that the interest of patients is at the core of everything we do.
Through the Department pricing and decision committees, they will contribute to deliberations and negotiations on individual medicines pricing applications, and will develop Department policy on novel and contentious issues. In doing so they will work closely with medicines supply colleagues - to prevent and respond to potential shortages. Through this work they will be critical to decisions that directly how and when patients are able to access the medicines they need.
Person specification
Role Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain trusted relationships with the pharmaceutical industry, the NHS, NICE, OLS, and the Devolved Governments.
- Build an effective, expert, and high performing team that can operate as a centre of expertise within Government on pricing, pharmaceuticals, and health economics.
- Ensure the effective implementation and evaluation of the 2024 VPAG and manage and update where necessary the statutory regulations. Develop strategy for the future of the voluntary scheme, including preparing for renegotiation.
- Provide policy leadership and authoritative advice to senior grades and Ministers on a wide range of Medicines Pricing policy areas, such as how pricing interacts with trade deals. This may involve strategic, high risk and sensitive issues with a wide range of solutions, likely affecting several work areas within the organisation and beyond.
- Supporting or leading negotiations with companies or the pharmaceutical industry on individual products or on the voluntary agreement.
- Lead policy thinking on novel and contentious issues.
Key skills and experience required for the role
Essential criteria:
- Able to think strategically across a complex and evolving system, and to draw out the opportunities, risks and priorities to meet high level objectives.
- Able to establish, build and maintain trusting relationships or partnerships with key stakeholders who are of strategic importance to the organisation.
- Able to use creative thinking to make well-informed and authoritative policy recommendations. This will involve sound judgement in analysing complex, technical or conflicting evidence and ability to choose the most appropriate of alternative solutions, and to deliver high-quality advice to senior officials and stakeholders.
- To be politically and economically aware and consider the long-term implications of policy and other changes; interpret trends and developments and produce future policies and organisational strategies in the light of these.
- Able to rapidly understand and get up to speed with new concepts, ideas and priorities, bringing together the right people to understand the issues, the level of ambition and set the direction.
- Push decision making to the right level within their teams, not allow unnecessary bureaucracy and structure to suppress innovation and delivery. Make difficult decisions by pragmatically weighing the complexities involved against the need to act.
- Act as a role model in supporting and energising teams to build confidence in their ability to deliver outcomes. Maintain effective performance in difficult and challenging circumstances, encouraging others to do the same. Committed to their own development and that of their team, and able to support the team to become a centre of expertise.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate the following:
- Experience or knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, medicines prescribing/procurement, or healthcare economics.
- Commercial experience, including negotiations.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Leadership
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Applications will be sifted W/C: 14/10/2024
Interview date: W/C 04/11/2024
Interview location: Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Further details and interview slots will be released to candidates who are successful at sift.
Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert.
Please use your personal statement to set out how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert.
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application. .
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 14/10/2024. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
An initial sift based on the personal statement may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
At interview candidates will be assessed on behaviours.
Candidates will be asked to give a presentation which will assess Seeing the Big Picture. Details of the presentation question will be issued to candidates with the release of the sift scores.
To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-department-of-health-social-care/ and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service Careers Website https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/
Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DHSC 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 at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Terms and Conditions
Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, either London or Leeds. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration, and enhancing team working, learning, and support.
You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.
There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.
New Entrants to the Civil Service
New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:
- Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
- Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
- Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
- Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
- Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
- Probation: 6 month probation period
Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion
All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion
If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Noah Kidron-Style
- Email : Noah.Kidron-Style@dhsc.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/
