View Vacancy - Healthcare Advisor, B3, Brussels (BEL19.217)

The British Bilateral Embassy in Belgium is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. We are seeking to recruit a Healthcare Advisor to join the Department of Health & Social Care’s local Team (DHSC).

Main Purpose of Job:

• To provide UK nationals in-country and neighbouring countries, information on healthcare entitlements and eligibility through effective communications;
• To support complex cases of individuals from whom the UK funds their healthcare in the EEA;
• To support DHSC with the implementation of new policies, including providing on-the-ground, insight, social research analysis, management information and impact assessment;
• To deliver DHSC communications, narrative and official lines, working closely with FCO officials to ensure consistent, timely and accurate messaging;
• To create and maintain a network of knowledgeable and influential external and internal stakeholders, to help inform the team´s work and progress objectives;
• To lead on frontline operations, ensuring operational performance measures are achieved, and the team’s casework is delivered effectively and in line with DHSC and Consular guidance;
• To work as part of a virtual team with other overseas healthcare advisors, FCO and DHSC;
• To work within a challenging programme of work and responding flexibly to changing priorities;

Main Roles and Responsibilities:

Policy Support and Impact Assessment

• Support DHSC with building a good understanding of the in-country and neighbouring countries healthcare system and processes;
• Research and report on local, on-the-ground healthcare insight and provide impact assessments to inform DHSC policy-making;
• Engage with colleagues across DHSC to gain wider understanding and impact of policy changes;
• Engage with external stakeholders, as directed by DHSC, to gauge perception on policy areas or potential policy changes;

Communications and Engagement

• Build and develop a network of influential, engaged stakeholders and media contacts in-country and neighbouring countries to enable effective delivery and amplification of healthcare messages and communications;
• Support DHSC policy team in London in identifying key customer messages through stakeholder engagement, briefing events, casework trends and policy analysis;
• Act as a liaison between FCO, DHSC and embassy colleagues to ensure relevant media messages are delivered to key audiences;
• Pro-actively monitor in-country, neighbouring countries and UK healthcare websites for latest news and information on healthcare and feedback to DHSC to ensure alignment of messages;
• Ensure positive impact from all FCO/DHSC events, visits and other public engagement activities across the region, by providing appropriate content, briefing material and participating where appropriate;

Casework

• Act as point of contact for UK nationals or individuals whose healthcare is funded by the UK on sign-posting, completion of documentation, troubleshooting complex queries, resolution of any issues related to current frontline service provision;
• Identify and lead on casework, particularly for those individuals requiring support to access healthcare in complex cases;
• Liaise with UK and local healthcare authorities to identify, support and resolve cases, maintaining excellent working relationships to do so;
• Identify and make assessment on individuals where additional support is required;
• Record all casework queries and resolution to ensure corporate knowledge base and intelligence is retained;

• Fluency in English plus French and/or Dutch (written and spoken);
• At least 2 years of work experience in a customer care role;
• Political Awareness and acumen on EU Exit in the healthcare context;
• Experience in executing communication strategies;
• Digital and traditional communications expertise;
• Data analysis and reporting;
• Stakeholder management and engagement skills;
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills;
• Strong oral/written communication skills;
• The ability to complete work to a high standard under pressure;
• The ability to manage competing demands and priorities effectively;
• Expert use of Microsoft Office package;

Kindly be informed training/induction will be provided on:

• EU Reciprocal healthcare policy – EU Regulation 883/2004 on the Coordination of Social Security, and its implementing Regulation 987/2009;
• Local healthcare policies;
• Knowledge of residency rights and requirements in UK and across the EU;
• Knowledge and understanding of Brexit outcomes and DHSC contingency;