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

Job title: Advanced Health Improvement Specialist (Children and Families)

Salary: PO4 £46,142 - £49,282

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 Advanced Health Improvement Specialistrole you will need to have:

An undergraduate degree
A postgraduate diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion
Effective leadership and support to partnership working
The ability to communicate the analysis of complex information to a range of audiences
A strong commitment to addressing health inequalities

About the role

The Public Health, Children and Families team is looking for an innovative, enthusiastic individual with the experience and knowledge to lead and manage a diverse range of multi-agency public health projects relating to children, young people and families.

The role will involve undertaking community-based health needs assessments, implementation of recommendations, monitoring and evaluation to improve health and reduce health inequalities. This will include developing and implementing action plans, evidence-based policies and translating evidence in to practice in line with key local strategies, including the Leeds Ambitions, Children and Young Peoples Partnership Plan, Best Start and Beyond Plan and the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The role will also require management of public health commissioned contracts and collaboration with partners on programmes addressing key local wider determinants of health.

This post will require extensive partnership working and engagement with local stakeholders, effective communication skills and experience of project and programme management.

Initial priorities will be: 

Oversee and monitor Service Level Agreements for community services with a focus on communities more vulnerable to poor health outcomes

Lead projects with internal and external stakeholders linked to the Best Start and Beyond Plan e.g. Infant Mortality

Support the development of a 5-19 School Age Alliance and associated projects

Strengthen co production opportunities and working with the Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise Sector with the Children and Families Public Health team.

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

Michelle Kane

Health Improvement Principal (Children and Families)

Landline: 01133786045 | Email: michelle.kane@leeds.gov.uk

Emma Newton

Health Improvement Principal (Children & Families Team)

Telephone: 07891 279978 Email: emma.newton@leeds.gov.uk

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

Lead multi-agency public health work and community based health needs assessments, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. This will include developing and implementing action plans in line with priorities and working closely with partners.

To lead the development and implementation of a specific area of public health work to improve health and reduce inequalities. To lead Public Health programmes targeting high risk groups.

Project manage and evaluate public health work programmes.
Facilitatemulti-agency working to achieve public health outcomes.
Provide Public Health input to the commissioning of health, social care and / or children’s services.
Undertake performance and contract management of public health contracts.
Enable public involvement in planning, development,implementationand evaluation of public health improvement activities.
Build public health capacity and capability within local communities, third sector and the Local Authority and NHS workforce.
Contractmanage Public Health commissioned services.
Supervise and manage public health staff asappropriate.
Contribute and advise on the development and implementation of specialist local health improvement programmes ensuring the implementation of Public Health policies, strategies and work programmes which includes developing andmaintaining public health information and support structures.

Responsibilities

The post holder will be required to:

Lead on the development and implementation of public health programmes and initiatives working in partnership with key organisations across Leeds.

Identify priorities and develop long term strategies and action plans for public health programmes, plan integration of policies and strategies, develop and implement long term plans and strategies across a range of agencies and community groups.

Provide public health input into the commissioning of health, social care and/or children’s services and the development of service specifications and contracts; in order to influence the deployment of resources and services to appropriately meet the health needs of the population, address inequalities in health, ensure services are commissioned according to the evidence base and represent value for money.

Access evidence bases and use them to ensure that work programmes are informed by current evidence of effectiveness and maintain current specialist knowledge of own areas work and initiatives of relevance to public health.

Provide advice and support to Integrated Care Boards, General Practice, other Leeds City Council Departments in respect of public health activities and evidence-based practice.

Develop communication strategies and campaigns including use of social marketing approaches and work with the media to raise awareness and change behaviour.

Communicate sensitive information to a range of different agencies, requiring influencing, persuasion and negotiating skills.

Undertake in-depth analysis, interpretation of health information and health intelligence data, evidence and assessments of effectiveness of specialist public health initiatives and programmes.

Use public health intelligence including needs assessments and qualitative information to inform priorities.

Undertake needs assessment including community-based health needs assessment.

Actively work to ensure that public health work programmes seek to reduce inequalities.

Develop and performance manage contracts and service level agreements with NHS providers, the third sector and others

Identify internal and external funding opportunities and prepare and submit business cases and funding bids.

Prepare and deliver presentations to a range of audiences on a range of issues to large groups e.g. community forums.

Chair and facilitate multi agency partnership groups and take notes and minutes of relevant meetings as required.

Support and develop matrix working across Leeds City Council, to ensure the delivery of public health objectives and embed public health into other directorate service delivery plans.

Influence partners’ priorities and action plans to ensure that they include public health outcomes where appropriate.

Produce accurate, timely and audience appropriate reports and data to inform planning, service delivery and development.

Manage resources and share good practice and models for health improvement with other colleagues and agencies.

Undertake public health research and evaluation and identify opportunities to promote, disseminate good practice through a variety of methods, including published journals.

Responsible for the recruitment/selection, appraisal and co-ordination of a group of public health staff and responsible for the line management of public health staff as appropriate.

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.

Relationships

Local

Leeds City Council staff

Elected members

Leeds Office of the Integrated Care Board 

GP practices

Other independent contractors in Leeds

Local residents and communities

Voluntary Community and Faith Sectors

NHS Provider Trusts

Leeds Universities

Local Media

Sub-Regional/Regional

UK Health Security Agency Yorkshire and the Humber

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in Yorkshire and Humber 

NHS England West Yorkshire Area Team

Other academic institutes across the region.

National/International

Department of Health and Social Care

UK Health Security Agency

Office for Health Improvement and Disparities  

NHS England

Faculty of Public Health

World Health Organisation

Communicates and has contact with:

Other NHS organisations and Public Health Teams within North of England

Qualifications

Undergraduate Degree

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion*

*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.

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

Well-developed numerical and analytical skills.

Skills in interpretation and analysis of data.

Ability to carry out a health equity audit/health needs assessment.

Assessing the Evidence

Ability to search effectively, collate and assimilate the published evidence base and apply to inform public health practice and policy development.

Leadership and collaborative working

Ability to organise, prioritise and meet deadlines.

Ability to operate in a politically charged environment.

Plan, arrange, co-ordinate and facilitate meetings with a range of stakeholders.

Lead and facilitate multi-agency teams/partnerships.

Ability to provide advice and expertise on the delivery of public health programmes and services to partners, colleagues and councillors.

Ability to develop, implement and evaluate long term plans and strategies, impacting on a range of community agencies and partnerships.

Ability to communicate complex issues and information to a wide range of people and abilities in different situations and formats.

Ability to write reports and other written materials for different audiences.

Project and programme management skills.

Ability to manage a budget.

Ability to deliver and develop training.

Negotiation and influencing skills.

Time management and ability to prioritise workload.

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS

Degreen
Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion
Knowledge of project and programme management.
Engaged in CPD and reflective practice.
Knowledge of leadership and management theory.
Knowledge of multi-agency partnership working.
Knowledge and understanding of health inequalities
Knowledge of public policy and political awareness.
Knowledge of the current strategic landscape public health operates within.

EXPERIENCE

Surveillance and Assessment

Experience of undertaking Health Needs Assessments and Health Equity Audits.

Assessing the Evidence

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

Leadership and collaborative working

Experience of multi-agency working to achieve public health outcomes.
Experience of project management of public health programmes.
Experience of developing project plans and service specifications.
Experience with using and responding to the media.
Experience of delivering and developing training.

Policy and Strategy

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

BEHAVIOURAL AND OTHER RELATED CHARACTERISTICS

Willing to abide by the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the duties of the post, and as an employee of the Council.
Willing to carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the Council’s Health and Safety Policies.
Commitment to tackling discrimination and enhancing inclusion and equality.
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.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION 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.

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS

Masters in Public Health or Health Promotion
Knowledge of key strategic priorities of public health with Leeds.

EXPERIENCE

Leadership and collaborative working

Experience of working in a political climate.
Experience of managing staff.
Experience of identifying performance indicators and managing performance.

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