INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.

Job title: Health Improvement Specialist – Long Term Conditions

Salary: PO2, £41,257-44,338

Hours: 37

Contract: Permanent

Location: Merrion House (hybrid working)

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Leeds Public Health. Our ambition is for Leeds to be the best city in the UK; one that is compassionate and caring, with a strong economy, tackling poverty and reducing inequalities. We want to be a healthy city for all ages, where people who are the poorest improve their health the fastest. Leeds Public Health plays a major part in delivering this vision as part of the highly collaborative approach of ‘Team Leeds’, and we have the ideal partners and assets in Leeds to succeed.

About you

To be considered for this Health Improvement Specialist role you will need to have:

An undergraduate degree
Good knowledge of multi–agency working
Good knowledge of Health Needs Assessment / Health Equity Audits
Good data analysis and presentation skills
Good team working
A strong commitment to addressing health inequalities

About the role

As a Health Improvement Specialist, you will join a dynamic public health team and play a key role in delivering impactful projects across Leeds.

This opportunity sits within the Long Term Conditions (LTC) and Cancer Team, with a focus on reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for people living with, or at risk of, long term conditions and cancer.

We are seeking a passionate and motivated Health Improvement Specialist to support the implementation of local health improvement programmes aligned with public health policies, strategies and priorities. A central aspect of the role will be developing and delivering initiatives that prevent and manage long term conditions, while promoting health and wellbeing across diverse communities.

The overarching aim is to reduce preventable ill health and premature mortality associated with long term conditions, and to narrow health inequalities across Leeds. Work is targeted in areas of highest deprivation in Leeds and in specific groups where LTCs prevalence (including risk factors) is greatest and outcomes are poorer.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence strategic planning, support service delivery, and empower communities to improve their health.

Initial priorities will be:

Undertake a health equity audit of LTC annual reviews, focusing on need, access, and uptake to identify any inequities in access and recommend actions.
Develop a clear LTC narrative, bringing together data and programme activity to highlight gaps and progress in tackling inequalities. Using data and insight to provide key workstream headlines/data for partners
Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of a Health Accelerator-funded community blood pressure awareness raising project.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (please note that you will be required to spend regular time in the office in addition to home working)
A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities · A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions. How to apply

Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Hanna Kaye, Advanced Health Improvement Specialist, Long Term Conditions, hanna.kaye@leeds.gov.uk or 0113 3783823

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be

eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To contribute and advise on the implementation of specialist local health improvement programmes ensuring the implementation of Public Health policies, strategies and work programmes which includes developing and maintaining public health information and support structures.

The post holder will have specific responsibility for developing and implementing a range of initiatives in relation to the full spectrum of health and wellbeing.

The post aims to actively work to address health inequalities within Leeds.

The post holder will also be required to facilitate/lead multi-agency public health group work; community based health needs assessment and provide public health related training to a range of staff and community groups.

Responsibilities

Support the continuous development, implementation and evaluation of public health work.
Facilitate the implementation of health and wellbeing programmes.
Implement and monitor contracts with partners.
Analyse and evaluate complex health data and effectiveness of public health initiatives and programmes, identifying and assessing alternative approaches.
Develop, continually review and update action plans taking account of local and national policy and guidance.
Support delivery of programmes to raise awareness and increase early detection in relation to the health and wellbeing of people of the specified locality or topic.
Lead on the development of systems to ensure the sharing of best practice between the services.
Work in partnership with other council directorates and external organisations such as ICB’s and third sector to ensure optimum quality of service delivery.
Maintain stock and resource levels within own function.
Authorise payments for goods and services required for public health work.
Monitor budget expenditure.
To facilitate and develop marketing strategies to continuously raise awareness of health and wellbeing needs.
Project manage public health programmes.
Contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations and other promotional material.
Actively work to ensure that targets and outcomes seek to reduce inequalities.
Proactively identify opportunities to work in partnership to deliver public health work programmes.
Participate in team meetings, providing information to members as appropriate.
Participate in the appraisal and personal development planning process.
Provide training, development and mentorship to a range of Public Health areas.
Regularly access evidence bases and use them to ensure that work programmes are informed by current evidence of effectiveness.
Participate in and support Health Impact Assessments and Health Equity Audits and public involvement surveys.
Identify opportunities to promote, disseminate good practice through a variety of methods, including published journals.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Freedom to Act

To be guided by local, national, and international innovation and initiatives of relevance to public health.

Additional information

The responsibilities of the post holder will need to be flexible as the role evolves.
Attend relevant study/development opportunities.
Any other duties commensurate with the grade which may be required from time to time.

Qualifications

Undergraduate Degree

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills required

Strong IT skills – Microsoft, internet and e-mail.

Surveillance and Assessment

Skills in the interpretation and analysis of data.

Assessing the evidence

Ability to collect and collate evidence from different sources.
Ability to apply evidence within role.

Leadership and collaborative working

Ability to embrace working with culturally diverse communities and partnerships.
Ability to plan, arrange, co-ordinate and facilitate meetings with a range of stakeholders.
Ability to write reports and other materials for varying purposes and audiences.
Presentation skills.
Good time management and ability to prioritise workload.
Good communication skills both verbal and written.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to work both on own initiative/self-motivated and as part of a team.

Knowledge/qualifications required

Undergraduate Degree.
Knowledge of project management.
Engaged in continuing professional development and reflective practice.
Knowledge of multi-agency partnership working.
Knowledge and understanding of health inequalities.
Knowledge of public policy and political awareness.
Knowledge of current strategic landscape public health operates within.

Experience required

Assessing the Evidence

Experience of evaluating public health initiatives.
Experience of assessing evidence bases and using them to inform work programmes.

Leadership and collaborative working

Experience of working in diverse communities.
Experience of working in partnership.
Experience of working with a variety of professional groups.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

Commitment to improving health and reducing health inequalities, public health ethics and to fostering a learning environment.
Able to work flexibly - hours and location, and willingness to travel.
Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Skills required

Ability to manage budgets.
Negotiation and influencing skills.
Ability to deliver training.

Knowledge/qualifications required

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion.*

Experience required

Surveillance and Assessment

Experience of undertaking Health Needs Assessments and Health Equity Audits.

Leadership and collaborate working

Experience of working in another sector e.g. health or voluntary.
Experience of delivering training.

Policy and strategy

Experience of supporting the implementation of policies and strategies within own area of work.

*Please note we are aware Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion may have different titles. If you are unsure if your Postgraduate Diploma is equivalent to a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion please contact the recruiting officer to discuss.

#INT #LI-DNI