Evaluation of Organisational Public Affairs Strategy Matt Barclay 42 Queen Street Edinburgh EH2 3NH Aim Introduction of a new role at Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) of a Public Affairs officer This role is a first for the organisation but is used in other similar sized organisations The impact of this role to support highlighting of the positive contribution of community pharmacy and support the strategic messages of the organisation. Plan Consider internally our current capacity for proactively dealing with Public Affairs queries and promoting community pharmacy Gain support from CPS Board by ensuring role fits strategic objectives Consider the job specification of the role which is new to the organisation Gain understanding of how best to conduct interviews and have role in place within agreed timescale What support will the individual recruited require to make a success of the role? Do Reached out to similar organisations within network and sourced opinion and materials to inform what the role of Public Affairs officer would offer which was different from current set up Set up Board paper to align new proposed role with new resource requirements alongside strategic objectives and current landscape On Board approval worked with appropriate team members to devise interview process and competency criteria Study Board recognised the potential of the role and approved the criterion of the role High numbers of strong candidates were screened and interviewed as part of the process. This was largely an unknown as it was not an area CPS had ever recruited for. Act Next steps are to measure the impact over the coming months and years against the competencies and job specification. This can be measured through member feedback/engagement, internal team feedback and stakeholder engagement Acknowledgements Amanda Rae CPS, Zoe Long PSNC