We know the numbers. We know the challenges. What happens next will define us for generations.

We need a health policy geek with a talent for storytelling to help drive our engagement with policymakers and influence their thinking on health in the UK and across the world. The post holder will be responsible for maximising our impact through high quality policy analysis and research.

There is a lot going on and plenty of opportunities to help deliver our ambitious plans.

• The UN and WHO are leading the Decade of Healthy Ageing;
• The Westminster Government has committed to supporting 5 years of extra “healthy years”.
• This year, the EU’s budget line for EU4Health programme 2021-2027 is €835EUR, almost double that of the budget for the seven-year health programme from 2014-2020.

But the context is a challenging one.

For example, in the UK:

• Inequalities in life expectancy and healthy life expectancy have grown and there are differences of up to 15 years in health expectancy between the healthiest and least healthy areas.
• The Government’s State Pension Age review may recommend further increases in the age we receive our state pension. But a million people already fall out of work before they become eligible. Ill health is one of the biggest drivers of this trend.
• Health inequalities are often driven by smoking.

And globally:

• Climate Change and antimicrobial resistance threatens progress made over the past 25 years.
• Over recent decades, life expectancy has significantly improved across the G20 but reducing deaths from cancer and cardiovascular diseases along with other largely preventable diseases offers significant opportunities for further improvements.
• G20 economies lose more than $1 trillion a year from preventable health conditions

Over the last five years ILC has become a leading voice on the importance of preventative health in supporting ageing societies. In this role, you will have the opportunity to be part of our large global health and prevention programme of work and to travel the world to directly influence and engage with policymakers and world leaders on important health and longevity issues. As part of our prevention and global health programme, we have:

• Engaged with G20 world leaders at the G20 Health ministers meeting in Okayama, Japan
• Held a policy discussion at the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics in Sydney, Australia
• Ran a two-day global health summit at the Les Pensières Centre for Global Health in Annecy, France

In 2023, we want to hold a high-level event alongside the 76th World Health Assembly, influence G20 and G7 leaders in India and Japan.

For the full job description and details of how to apply for this post, download the Senior Health Policy Lead recruitment pack below. The deadline for applications is 9am on Tuesday 18 October 2022.

ILC Recruitment Pack – Senior Health Policy Lead