Job summary
Waltham Forest Council is looking to appoint a Senior Public Health Strategist to join its Public Health team. This role is an important position within the team, with lead responsibility for substance misuse, reporting to a Consultant in Public Health. At present, the role is based at the Council offices in Walthamstow approximately once a week (and additionally where required by business needs), with remote working available the remainder of the time.
The role has a substantial partnership working remit, leading on bringing together partners and driving actions to improve substance misuse outcomes, including work of the Alcohol and Drugs Steering Group and Combating Drugs Partnership. The role will personally build and develop excellent working relationships with local substance misuse services and wider partners, building on existing good partnership working.The role has a substantial commissioning and performance management element, and, working with the Consultant in Public Health, will lead on commissioning relating to substance misuse (working with others e.g. procurement), leading on ensuring high performance and continual improvement of commissioned substance misuse services.
Main duties of the job
This position will also have a senior role in the delivery of externally funded substance misuse programmes (supplemental grant and rough sleeper substance misuse programmes), including leading delivery of projects or programmes relating to this work. They will be proactive in working closely with the Programme Delivery Manager for these programmes, supporting them by providing strategic input, expertise on local need relating to substance misuse and evidence based recommendations for action to inform the programme.This role would ideally suit a candidate with experience of work at a senior level in health improvement, including work relating to substance misuse, with strong public health technical skills, who is proactive and who has excellent organisational and project/programme management skills.The post is likely to manage one or more members of the Public Health team.
If you would like to discuss this role informally please contact the Consultant in Public Health, Clare Bailey,clare.bailey@walthamforest.gov.ukto arrange a conversation.
About us
Waltham Forest is a vibrant, diverse borough, home to approximately 260,000 residents in East London, easily accessible from central London by train and underground. Working flexibly, including an office base at Willow House on Forest Road, Walthamstow, the Public Health team has well developed relationships across the Council and with partners. Led by the Director of Public Health for Waltham Forest, the team is based in the People Directorate.
The post holder will join the team at an exciting time in the development of the public health function in London Borough of Waltham Forest, with significant challenges including supporting the recovery from COVID-19, tackling the cost of living crisis and playing a key role in reducing health inequalities, which is a priority for the council as a whole. We have recently partnered with Professor Sir Michael Marmot and the Institute of Health Equity to conduct research and develop action plans to reduce health inequalities in our borough. The post holder will play a key role in ensuring this work delivers meaningful change for our residents.
We are a team committed to providing a stimulating environment within which to work, running monthly reflective practice sessions, journal clubs and providing opportunities for personal development through training, education, shadowing and on-the-job learning.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To lead, plan, develop and deliver an expert
professional service within the relevant service area. To support the
development, management and delivery of Council services. Manage staff
responsible for service delivery / support within the service area. To ensure
the Council maximises service outcomes in relation to cost.
Plan
and ensure service delivery within a complex / diverse service area. Control
operational activities within the service area and ensure professional
standards are delivered.
Manage
responses to complex professional or politically sensitive issues within the
area of responsibility.Manage key relationships with delivery partners
/providers /suppliers to commission / manage / evaluate / enhance appropriate
service delivery / capacity within area of responsibility.Develops service plans to meet strategic
business goals. Ensure compliance with all internal and external standards.Lead, motivate and develop staff to create and
maintain a highly competent and participative workforce.
Identify, secure, deploy and manage the
resources necessary for the professional service area to meet/exceed its
objectives.Ensure the necessary standards relating to
safeguarding best practices/protocols are effectively communicated, monitored
and maintained.Implement a risk management programme and advise
on issues affecting Council service areas.Ensure the successful implementation of health
and safety legislation, policies and practices.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To lead, plan, develop and deliver an expert
professional service within the relevant service area. To support the
development, management and delivery of Council services. Manage staff
responsible for service delivery / support within the service area. To ensure
the Council maximises service outcomes in relation to cost.
Plan
and ensure service delivery within a complex / diverse service area. Control
operational activities within the service area and ensure professional
standards are delivered.
Manage
responses to complex professional or politically sensitive issues within the
area of responsibility.Manage key relationships with delivery partners
/providers /suppliers to commission / manage / evaluate / enhance appropriate
service delivery / capacity within area of responsibility.Develops service plans to meet strategic
business goals. Ensure compliance with all internal and external standards.Lead, motivate and develop staff to create and
maintain a highly competent and participative workforce.
Identify, secure, deploy and manage the
resources necessary for the professional service area to meet/exceed its
objectives.Ensure the necessary standards relating to
safeguarding best practices/protocols are effectively communicated, monitored
and maintained.Implement a risk management programme and advise
on issues affecting Council service areas.Ensure the successful implementation of health
and safety legislation, policies and practices.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- At least 3 years experience of operating as a public health strategist or equivalent mid-level public health practitioner (i.e. roughly equivalent to Agenda for Change band 7). (Application)
- Experience of working in health services, local authority or relevant voluntary or public sector setting sufficient to develop an understanding of how complex public sector and/or voluntary sector organisations work and a demonstrable ability to negotiate relationships with internal and external partners. (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of successfully developing, delivering and evaluating health related policies/strategies within a local authority/health and/or community/voluntary sector context (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of successful management of complex multi-agency working with public, private and voluntary / community sector (Application, Interview)
- Knowledge of best practice in management information systems, knowledge management, and records management (including electronic document and records management systems) and their application within the NHS and Local Authority. (Application, Interview)
- Effective communication skills - oral, presentational, written and producing reports and action plans (Application, Interview, Presentation, Written exercise)
- High standard of report writing skills, demonstrated by the ability to write and contribute to reports of varying length and complexity, for a variety of audiences, in a format where implications of the report are fully understood and inform strategic decision making. (Written Exercise)
- Effective usage of technical public health skills in relation to critical appraisal of evidence, and interpretation of health intelligence (Application, Interview, Presentation, (Written exercise)
- Good time management and prioritisation skills, ability to use own initiative to manage a number of projects simultaneously, ensuring planning, organising and prioritising work load to meet project deadlines. (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development (Application, interview)
- Good time management and prioritisation skills, demonstrated by the ability to use own initiative to manage a number of projects simultaneously, ensuring planning, organising and prioritising work load to meet project deadlines (Application, Interview, Written exercise)
- Awareness of national and local political environment and priorities, and how this relates to public health (Application, Interview)
Procedural Context
Essential
- Manage highly complex / high risk issues within a framework of policy and regulatory guidelines. Objectives and targets are developed and agreed in line with service plan. High level of discretion and use of initiative in deciding what course of action to take. Exercise expert judgement in assessing complex stakeholder requirements, potential risk and managing quality assurance of service.
- Significant expert knowledge and significant experience is required to resolve highly complex issues and proactively anticipate and mitigate problems. Design and develop innovative solutions which enhance the quality and efficiency of services and reputation of the council.
- Occasionally the post will be expected to work from other locations
- Enable others to understand changes and developments in relevant area and learn new processes / procedures.
- Responsible for ensuring contractors / providers deliver to agreed standards.
- May manage project teams of both internal staff and external contractors / consultants
- Resourcing
- Budget Responsibilities: None directly, but may lead on commissioning of services with value up to £5million
- Supervisory Responsibilities: Line management of up to two members of staff
Qualifications
Essential
- Indicative Qualifications
- Educated to degree standard or equivalent vocational qualification in relevant subject area
- Post graduate degree qualification in public health/health promotion or in a related discipline or equivalent knowledge gained through substantial experience
- Demonstration of public health competencies through achievement of Part A Public Health examination, or other evidence of learning and development in public health competencies (e.g. PH portfolio; UKPHR registration; scientific publications; conference presentations; significant evidence-based public health outputs)
- Management qualification or demonstrable equivalent knowledge
- The above profile is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not intended to be a detailed list of all duties and responsibilities which may be required.
- This role profile will be supplemented and further defined by annual objectives, which will be developed in conjunction with the post holder. It will be subject to regular review and the Council reserves the right to amend or add to the accountabilities listed.
Person Specification
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential
- At least 3 years experience of operating as a public health strategist or equivalent mid-level public health practitioner (i.e. roughly equivalent to Agenda for Change band 7). (Application)
- Experience of working in health services, local authority or relevant voluntary or public sector setting sufficient to develop an understanding of how complex public sector and/or voluntary sector organisations work and a demonstrable ability to negotiate relationships with internal and external partners. (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of successfully developing, delivering and evaluating health related policies/strategies within a local authority/health and/or community/voluntary sector context (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of successful management of complex multi-agency working with public, private and voluntary / community sector (Application, Interview)
- Knowledge of best practice in management information systems, knowledge management, and records management (including electronic document and records management systems) and their application within the NHS and Local Authority. (Application, Interview)
- Effective communication skills - oral, presentational, written and producing reports and action plans (Application, Interview, Presentation, Written exercise)
- High standard of report writing skills, demonstrated by the ability to write and contribute to reports of varying length and complexity, for a variety of audiences, in a format where implications of the report are fully understood and inform strategic decision making. (Written Exercise)
- Effective usage of technical public health skills in relation to critical appraisal of evidence, and interpretation of health intelligence (Application, Interview, Presentation, (Written exercise)
- Good time management and prioritisation skills, ability to use own initiative to manage a number of projects simultaneously, ensuring planning, organising and prioritising work load to meet project deadlines. (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development (Application, interview)
- Good time management and prioritisation skills, demonstrated by the ability to use own initiative to manage a number of projects simultaneously, ensuring planning, organising and prioritising work load to meet project deadlines (Application, Interview, Written exercise)
- Awareness of national and local political environment and priorities, and how this relates to public health (Application, Interview)
Procedural Context
Essential
- Manage highly complex / high risk issues within a framework of policy and regulatory guidelines. Objectives and targets are developed and agreed in line with service plan. High level of discretion and use of initiative in deciding what course of action to take. Exercise expert judgement in assessing complex stakeholder requirements, potential risk and managing quality assurance of service.
- Significant expert knowledge and significant experience is required to resolve highly complex issues and proactively anticipate and mitigate problems. Design and develop innovative solutions which enhance the quality and efficiency of services and reputation of the council.
- Occasionally the post will be expected to work from other locations
- Enable others to understand changes and developments in relevant area and learn new processes / procedures.
- Responsible for ensuring contractors / providers deliver to agreed standards.
- May manage project teams of both internal staff and external contractors / consultants
- Resourcing
- Budget Responsibilities: None directly, but may lead on commissioning of services with value up to £5million
- Supervisory Responsibilities: Line management of up to two members of staff
Qualifications
Essential
- Indicative Qualifications
- Educated to degree standard or equivalent vocational qualification in relevant subject area
- Post graduate degree qualification in public health/health promotion or in a related discipline or equivalent knowledge gained through substantial experience
- Demonstration of public health competencies through achievement of Part A Public Health examination, or other evidence of learning and development in public health competencies (e.g. PH portfolio; UKPHR registration; scientific publications; conference presentations; significant evidence-based public health outputs)
- Management qualification or demonstrable equivalent knowledge
- The above profile is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not intended to be a detailed list of all duties and responsibilities which may be required.
- This role profile will be supplemented and further defined by annual objectives, which will be developed in conjunction with the post holder. It will be subject to regular review and the Council reserves the right to amend or add to the accountabilities listed.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.