Policy Adviser, Global Health System

wellcome; Greater London; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wellcome Trust seeks a Policy Adviser to join our Policy team within the Policy & Partnerships division. You will help influence global health policy and drive reforms by turning complex ideas into clear, actionable recommendations, working with governments, researchers and civil society.

You will develop policy ideas, manage delivery for major elements of the Global Health Ecosystem programme, and lead collaborative activities to strengthen Wellcome's influence and impact on health

Qualifications

• Experience of developing and delivering policy advice within global health, public health, research or science policy, including influencing national governments, multilateral organisations or other policy decision-makers.
• Experience of building and managing relationships with policy stakeholders, including providing evidence-based advice to senior leaders and influence across organisations.

Responsibilities

• Develop project ideas, plan activity and identify resourcing needs for key parts of the Global Health Ecosystem influencing programme. Manage delivery for substantial elements of the programme, while managing risks to deliver on time and within budget.
• Deliver key elements of policy projects to a high standard, including analysis, positions, recommendations, briefings and other policy products.
• Work with Government Relations and Corporate Affairs colleagues to support development and delivery of communications and advocacy strategies, build trusted stakeholder relationships and strengthen support for the work.
• Represent Wellcome in senior internal and external forums linked to these policy projects, deputising for more senior colleagues when needed.
• Lead specific ad hoc corporate and team-wide activities that support cross-team priorities, and manage, develop and motivate Policy Officers, graduates or interns when required.
• Contribute to a diverse and inclusive culture by collaborating effectively across teams and departments.

Skills

Policy development

Stakeholder engagement

Policy communication

Project management

Job description

Salary: £51,600 - £64,500

Closing date: Sunday, 11 October 2026

Contract type: Permanent

Interview dates: 1st stage (w/c 09/11) online/Remote; 2nd stage: face to face

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation. We improve health for everyone by funding science, leading policy and advocacy campaigns, and building partnerships.

We committed to spend £16bn in the ten years to 2032, funding new discoveries in life, health, and wellbeing, and taking on three global health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health.

These challenges need the bold science we support, but they won't be solved by science alone.

You will be working in the Policy team, which sits within Wellcome's wider Policy & Partnerships division and works across Wellcome's strategic priorities to influence policy, shape evidence-based solutions, and build partnerships that help improve health. The team works closely with governments, researchers, civil society, Corporate Affairs, and Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships colleagues to drive change on some of the world's most pressing health challenges.

We are looking for a Policy Adviser to join our team.

Where in Wellcome will I be working?

This role will sit within the Global Health Ecosystem portfolio, which focuses on strengthening the systems, governance, financing and partnerships needed to improve health outcomes globally. A key area of work is supporting efforts to reform the Global Health Ecosystem, helping to build a more equitable, resilient and sustainable approach to improving health worldwide. The Policy team operates a flexible deployment model and matrix management structure, with day-to-day support from a Policy Lead and line management provided by a Head of Policy.

What will I be doing?

The Policy Adviser will primarily be working on a cross-cutting influencing programme seeking to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of the global health ecosystem, to provide a critical foundation for progress across Wellcome's strategic priorities and ensure more people benefit from the science Wellcome supports.

This protfolio builds on the foundation of Wellcome's previous work, including around the Future of Global Health Initiatives process (which culminated in the launch of the Lusaka Agenda in December 2023), and through a recent series of global and regional dialogues on global health reform.

The Adviser will work as part of a matrix team to identify and conduct activities to support substantive reforms that will ensure the global health architecture is more efficient, effective, and equitable in strengthening the capabilities of national, regional and global health systems.

As a Policy Adviser, you will:

• Develop project ideas, plan activity and identify resourcing needs for key parts of the Global Health Ecosystem influencing programme. Manage delivery for substantial elements of the programme, while managing risks to deliver on time and within budget.
• Deliver key elements of policy projects to a high standard, including analysis, positions, recommendations, briefings and other policy products.
• Work with Government Relations and Corporate Affairs colleagues to support development and delivery of communications and advocacy strategies, build trusted stakeholder relationships and strengthen support for the work.
• Represent Wellcome in senior internal and external forums linked to these policy projects, deputising for more senior colleagues when needed.
• Lead specific ad hoc corporate and team-wide activities that support cross-team priorities, and manage, develop and motivate Policy Officers, graduates or interns when required.
• Contribute to a diverse and inclusive culture by collaborating effectively across teams and departments.

Is this job for me?

This role is ideal for someone with policy experience who is passionate about translating complex ideas into clear, impactful recommendations and influencing positive change. You'll bring strong communication and organisational skills, enjoy working with diverse stakeholders, and be motivated to learn, collaborate and continuously develop your expertise.

A strong, demonstrable expertise in global health - including global health financing and governance - would be highly beneficial. Direct experience working with diverse stakeholders across countries and cultures would also be an asset.

Minimum Criteria:

• Experience of developing and delivering policy advice, recommendations, briefings or other policy products within global health, public health, research or science policy, including influencing national governments, multilateral organisations or other policy decision-makers.
• Experience of building and managing relationships with policy stakeholders, including providing evidence-based advice to senior leaders and influe