A jolly NICE fellow

I’ve recently been appointed a National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Fellow, following in the footsteps of several other CSP members. I am just as passionate about my profession now as I was when I qualified. Learning is one of the CSP’s corporate values, and I wanted to continue to develop my career but in a way that enabled me to learn from those outside the profession at the same time as doing my core job role. 

The NICE programme is open to experienced leaders and aims to maintain connections between NICE and the health and social care sector. By acting as ambassadors for NICE through their own workstreams and existing networks, Fellows help to enable new ways of working and improve and promote the quality of health and social care. In return, NICE provides an enviable package of professional development.

The application process is very straightforward. The role requires the capability to influence across networks and systems and an understanding of NICE and its work. So, as with all applications, read the role description carefully and then make sure you really draw on your relevant knowledge, skills and experience to show how you would be a valuable asset to NICE. 

Your employer is required to write an organisational sponsor reference, so it really helps to have discussions with your boss early on, about what you want to do and how being a Fellow will benefit your organisation. You also need a professional reference from a peer who may be asked to comment on your strengths and weaknesses, so pick someone whose honesty you can both trust and stomach! 

If you are an experienced leader looking for the next great thing for 2021, maybe the Fellows programme is what you’ve been looking for? Applications open in September 2020.

• Pip White is a CSP professional adviser and NICE fellow