Consultant in Public Health Global - IHR Strengthening Project

Job description

Job responsibilities

This is a position of influence, and it is important that the postholder is able to demonstrate the technical knowledge, skill and international relations capability required to operate effectively across the system at senior level.

The post holder will:

• Use their public health skills to contribute to the coordination and delivery of this Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded project to strengthen public health systems and support the implementation of the WHO International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) in low and middle-income countries. The role will contribute to further development of the IHR project, ensuring that UKHSAs technical expertise is optimally applied in the delivery of the project objectives.
• Contribute to day-to-day delivery of the project, including contributing to line management of project staff, business management and undertaking regular monitoring and reporting of progress, in support of the Head of the Project.
• As the Deputy Head of Project, the postholder will provide strategic and operational direction, contributing to the leadership and management of the project, with a particular focus on driving high quality delivery of the project
• Deputise as required for the Head of IHR-S Project
• Require excellent communication skills to deliver project updates, reports and briefings. They will use their public health expertise to problem solve, discuss issues with senior leadership, and ensure that measures to mitigate any risks to the delivery of the project are implemented.
• Need to be a highly motivated individual and a self-starter, who can work independently and will require the ability to be able to work in a complex and changing environment.
• Be based at UKHSA 10SC London, or core HQs but will involve some international travel for short stints (up to two weeks at a time) to partner countries and institutions.
• Coordinate some of the activities of the wider project team including Programme managers, project managers and project support officers and work closely with the Head and Country & Regional Leads (UKHSA Public Health Consultants) for the IHR-SP responsible for delivery of the project. The postholder will also be expected to lead some technical aspects of the project. The technical areas will be determined based on the post holders expertise and the project requirements
• Any other reasonable duties as required to deliver the project.

For further details, please refer to the attached Job Description & Person Specification.

ExternalOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Competency .

At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the Job Description & Person Specification attached to this vacancy advert.

You will be required to complete an:

Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1200 word Statement of Suitability/ behaviour statements / technical statements

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your statement of suitability must be no more than 1200 word count

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)

If we receive a large number of applications, an initial sift against the lead criteria will be conducted:

• Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List/UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists
• Previous experience of working at a strategic level in low and middle income countries, engaging with, and influencing, directors and senior politicians.
• Significant experience managing and leading a large team

We will only take through applications that meet all essential criteria.

Desirable criteria may be used if we receive a large number of applications.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview stage (competency based):

You will be invited to a remote interview via Teams.

Interviews will be held WC 09 February 2026. Please note these dates are subject to change.

This vacancy is being assessed using a competency based method. During the interview we will assess against the below:

KnowledgeExperienceSkills and Abilities

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Security Clearance

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Hybrid

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

UK Health Security Agency promoted diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunities employer

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List/UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists
• If MBBS or Equivalent AND full and specialist registration (and a licence to practise) with the GMC (or eligible for registration within 6 months of interview)
• Applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview. Applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
• Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognised body if applicable
• MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment
• Post-graduate qualification in Public Health (e.g. MPH) or related field

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Significant experience working in Global Public Health
• Significant experience working in Public Health at a senior level or a related discipline and experience of collaborative working at regional or national level in a multi-stakeholder environment
• Previous experience of working at a strategic level in low and middle income countries, engaging with, and influencing, directors and senior politicians.
• Experience of public health systems with demonstrable experience in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response and health protection
• Experience of public health systems in low and middle income countries and demonstrable experience in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response and health protection
• High level of understanding of surveillance, epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health system development.
• Significant experience managing and leading a team

Desirable

• Understanding of UK public health system
• Scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc.

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

• Excellent oral, written and presentation communication skills (including dealing with the media and engaging with a wide range of diverse audiences)
• Ability to design, develop, interpret and implement policies.
• Exceptional interpersonal, motivational and influencing skills; effective negotiator with practical expectation of what can be achieved
• Strong global health diplomacy skills in engaging with senior leaders, ministers, senior government officials and other donor or development agency representatives
• Training and mentoring skills
• Resource and project management skills with the ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
• Understanding of global health including the health challenges of low- and middle-income countries and the international health architecture and knowledge of global health security architecture such as the WHO
• Computer literate

Equality and diversity

Essential

• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems
• Significant self-awareness and cultural competency

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Any of the 4 core UKHSA HQs / Hybrid

London, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool

E14 4PU

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)