Principal Public Health Specialist - Health Protection and Inclusion Health

Part Time 30 hours per week, Fixed Term for 12 months maternity cover.

Due to our Principal Public Health Specialist’s maternity leave we have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and experienced public health specialist to join the Protecting and Inclusion Health programme leadership team for 12 months.

This role is focused on Health Protection and Inclusion and will provide technical public health leadership with responsibility for delivery of both our acute response and wider prevention work, recognising the inequalities that drive infectious diseases and non- communicable harms. 

The role will require strong partnership working both within the council but also across into wider system as together we seek to improve outcomes for our population. 

You will provide leadership to the programme team keeping work on track and to a high standard, inspiring and motivating staff to flourish.  

This role is a fast paced and comes at an exciting point as our new Consultant in Public Health for Health Protection and Inclusion joins us.   

What will I be doing?  

You will provide confident leadership and clear management to ensure effective strategic development and operational delivery of our preparedness and response to health protections risks across the city. 

You will manage a staff team and will work with other council staff and external partner organisations to develop and deliver the service plan and drive forward the ambitions and the associated deliverables from the Corporate Strategy, One City Plan. 

You will ensure public health service delivery is to a high standard, including, commissioned public health services and programmes, democratic processes and decision making. 

You will ensure that financial processes, including monitoring returns are adhered to.  

What do I need to have? 

We are looking for an experienced Public Health manager who will be able to demonstrate strong leadership, technical rigour and ensure effective governance and operational service delivery across a wide range of services. 

You will have in- depth knowledge of the breadth of public health programmes particularly in relation to health protection and inclusion health populations. 

You will hold a MSc in Public Health or equivalent level qualification.  

You will have the ability to manage performance for programmes, contracts and people effectively. 

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.

Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment.

For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to.

If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

Interview date: 9 June 2026.

For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or alternatively, please contact christina.gray@bristol.gov.uk 

Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. Appointments will be made on merit. 

The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.