The Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI) is seeking a researcher to play a major role in our new work programme.

Over the next 2 years the CHPI will produce robust, high impact research designed to hold government and corporate power to account during the COVID-19 pandemic and to improve public understanding of complex public policy issues.

The research programme will concentrate on the following areas:

• The growing use of the private hospital sector to deliver NHS services
• The operation of the new National Institute for Health Protection (the body replacing Public Health England)
• The financial impact of COVID-19 on the UK Care Home sector.

Our analysis will focus on issues of accountability, transparency and the public interest. 

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity which will involve working on high profile health and social care policy issues.

Day-to-day the researcher will work with the Director of the CHPI in developing the research approach as well as carrying out tasks such as:

• analysis of government policy documents and legislation
• analysis of corporate reports and accounts
• submitting and analysing freedom of information requests
• analysis of financial data and data produced by the NHS

Because a key aim of the work is to impact the policy debate an important part of the role will include:

• writing reports, blogs and briefing papers containing complex information in an easily accessible way
• developing relationships with stakeholders including patients, campaign groups, healthcare professionals and MPs
• undertaking media interviews and creating social media output

Person specification

We would like to recruit someone with highly developed analytical and communication skills and a proven track record in researching and analysing government policy or corporate strategies.

We are particularly interested in people with backgrounds in any of the following areas: journalism, academia, law, regulation, public policy analysis, advocacy, finance and accountancy.

A highly-developed understanding of the NHS, social care and public health is desirable as is an understanding of the role of private companies in the delivery of public services.

Most important is a strong commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability in public services as well as to the founding principle of the NHS