Job summary
- Main area
- Maternity
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Fixed term: 9 months (secondment opportunity also available)
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 279-7169819-APR25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- PRH, RSCH, SRH, WH
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £46,148 - £52,809 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 18/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading
7 Lead Professional Midwifery Advocate
Band 7
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First . In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
Are you passionate about supporting midwives, strengthening professional advocacy, and shaping the future of maternity care?
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA) to take on a fixed-term Band 7 leadership role to deliver a key strategic project across our large NHS Foundation Trust.
This exciting 6-month opportunity will focus on leading the alignment of our PMA service across four maternity sites, raising the visibility and impact of the PMA role, and co-producing a Trust-wide PMA strategy that supports our midwifery workforce and improves outcomes for women and families.
Main duties of the job
About the Role:
The Lead PMA will work closely with the Heads of Midwifery and our passionate team of PMAs to:
-
Align the delivery of the A-EQUIP model across all sites
-
Raise the profile and visibility of the PMA service across the Trust
-
Develop a sustainable, co-produced PMA strategy and evaluation framework
-
Create robust processes to monitor service quality, reach, and impact
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Lead on the development of a business plan to secure ongoing funding for a permanent Lead PMA role and shape future PMA provision
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Mentorship and guidance from Heads of Midwifery
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Valuable experience in leadership, strategy development, and business planning
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The chance to shape a service that directly impacts midwifery culture and care outcomes
This is a fantastic opportunity to influence change, embed professional midwifery advocacy at the heart of our maternity services, and leave a lasting legacy for staff wellbeing and quality care.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
About You:
You will be a qualified PMA and registered midwife with excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills. You will have a clear understanding of the A-EQUIP model and experience in delivering restorative clinical supervision. Experience in service development, evaluation, or strategy work is desirable but not essential—what’s key is your motivation to lead change and collaborate across teams.
We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in our workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQI+ people.
You’ll be working in close partnership with a supportive senior leadership team, with the opportunity to drive forward a project that will make a genuine difference.
Please see detailed job description and person specification for more information.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
- Registered Midwife (degree level/equivalent) with active NMC PIN
- Extensive Experience as Professional Midwifery Advocate
- Experienced Midwife
- Sound range of clinical experience post registration in different maternity settings and roles
- Demonstrable well-developed Leadership Skills
Desirable criteria
- De-briefing/Coaching training or equivalent experience
- Mater's Degree/PGCert
- Proven track record in leading improvement projects successfully
- Experience of audit, evaluation or research
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Frances Barnes
- Job title
- Head of Midwifery
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01273 696955
- Additional information
Please do get in touch via email if you would like to discuss the role further.
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