Public Health Support Officer - REQ004487

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

Job title: Public Health Support Officer

Salary: PO2 £39,862 - £42,839

Hours: 37 per week

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 Public Health Support Officer role you will need to:

Be educated to degree level or relevant significant experience in a Public Health service setting.
Have significant knowledge and experience of Public Health systems and processes including financial and contract procedure rules and recruitment processes that are used in the Public Health service.
Manage competing priorities and workloads and respond to changing needs in a complex and rapidly changing environment.
Experience of working with NHS organisations such as, Integrated Commissioning Boards, Leeds Community Healthcare, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and General Practices.
Work proactively and provide a high level of attention to detail when working on a range of programmes including support and advice on systems and processes.
Have significant experience of working in a busy work environment in a Public Health service role.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to work in Public Health. We are looking for an enthusiastic, innovative and self-motivated individual to support the delivery of key workstreams and responsibilities to support Public Health work across areas including Drugs & Alcohol, Healthy Living, Public Mental Health, Children & Families, Health Protection, Health Inequalities, Ageing Well, Long Term Conditions and Cancer.

The successful candidate will work with colleagues in Public Health, across the council and with range of external partners to provide support to public health systems and processes. They will provide advice, forward planning and support to colleagues across the function and will be responsible for supporting specific Public Health programmes which underpin the function, including but not limited to management of the national open access GU and PrEP process, robust monitoring and reporting on Public Health recruiting and staffing, assisting with HR related queries working closely with the BSC and HR team and providing value for money solutions which meet Public Health grant conditions and the councils financial challenge.

This is a demanding and interesting role where you will be required to work autonomously and provide an excellent service to the Public Health function, across the Council, and across a range of partners including 3rd sector partners, NHS, local and regional ICBs and General Practices.

The successful applicant will have significant knowledge and experience of Public Health services, finance and contract procedure rules and processes, recruitment processes and guidance, as well as the ability to support the development and implementation of a range of processes and policies. They will have the ability to create robust forward plans, manage conflict, challenge existing ways of working, and resolve issues and to ensure Council values are embedded within in team and our work.

Candidates will also need to demonstrate experience of partnership working with external organisations including the NHS and third sector and service improvement activity including performance management and improving outcomes whilst achieving value for money and remaining within budget.

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 to discuss the role contact Mollie Clarke (Senior Public Health Support Officer) by email mollie.clarke@leeds.gov.uk

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

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 support the delivery of specific programmes and responsibilities within the Public Health function. This role will be required to provide a high level of support to the Office of the Director of Public Health including local and national Local Authority and Public Health peer reviews, Public Health internal audit support, local and regional forward planning, report writing, records management, email tracking, support to Public Health Leadership Team and to ensure the Public Health function is compliant with governance arrangements, along with other continuing emerging Public Health priorities. It will be responsible for developing and managing robust governance systems for Public Health including the provision of technical support in contributing to and communicating across a range of governance systems. It will also provide support with local risk registers, co-ordination of Public Health contracts, recruitment and finance. There will be a requirement for this post to work with colleagues across the Council and external partners including the NHS organisations and partners and to support information and programmes of work for the Department of Health and Social Care. The post holder will lead on identified specialist Public Health programmes of work including providing specific support to the ambition to become a Marmot city and reducing health inequalities.

The role will have specific responsibility for developing and implementing a range of systems and processes in relation to the full spectrum of specialist Public Health. They will be required to use their Public Health knowledge and skills to evidence and deliver on Public Health policy and deliver on more effective ways of working across all of its functions and proactively set up and maintain systems and assurance. The role will provide practical support and advice to colleagues across the function and contribute towards the effective delivery of Public Health systems and processes providing effective, efficient and value for money solutions which meet the Public Health agenda.

The post holder will be required to work proactively and provide a high level of attention to detail when working on a range of programmes including support and advice on systems and processes within the Office of the Director of Public Health. They will be required to work autonomously on specific programmes through agreed protocols and policies and demonstrate a good understanding and experience in supporting the delivery of programmes and associated functions within an organisational setting. As part of a fast paced, dynamic team, the post holder will work flexibly to meet the needs of the Director of Public Health and will have the ability to manage competing priorities and workloads in a rapidly changing environment. The post holder will plan, manage, participate and produce minutes and action notes at a variety of meetings relating to the programmes they will manage.

Responsibilities:

Support colleagues in the planning, organising, co-ordination and delivery of a range of programmes and governance arrangements within Public Health and where Public Health sit on boards. Ensuring work supports required outcomes being delivered on time, within budget and to expected levels of quality.
Lead on specific programmes and develop plans, clarifying and establishing processes, using a range of management methodology, Public Health evidence base, procedures, tools and techniques.
Identify and make adjustments to plans, systems and processes where milestones slip and ensure a quality service is provided by the team including performance information systems.
Support the systematic research of national models of innovation and best practice in all areas of support including liaising with other initiatives and programmes to apply learning and new models of innovative practice across Public Health and the Council.
Produce reports, coordinate briefings including Executive member briefings and updates for a variety of audiences and in a multitude of formats, based on a range of different and complex information sources that require analysis and appropriate presentation to fulfil the purpose of the given report.
Establish and maintain systems to undertake a programme of evaluation and assist in the collation of evaluations as required, developing action plans for development and improvements.
Lead on the collation of performance information and activity data and entering information into the appropriate databases, producing reports and ensuring deadlines are met.
Establish and maintain systems to undertake proactive, robust and effective forward planning on behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Health to include - Regional Associate Director of Public Health/Regional Director of Public Health, Executive Members, other Councillors and across a range of areas including CLT in order to raise awareness, share successes and challenges and to showcase good practice within Public Health priorities, issues and programmes of work.

Communication & Relationship Management

Co-ordinate the production and contribute to internal and external communications such as newsletters, websites, including collating and composing short articles.
Build successful relationships and networks, positively engaging with individuals, members and partners as appropriate in the delivery of better outcomes.
Develop internal and external communication tools in order to ensure new and more effective methods are implemented.
Lead on the development of effective and efficient communications with providers in relation to finance and contracts.
To manage large and sometimes complex communications including emails, telephone calls and letter correspondence.

Analysis & Assessment

Assist in the ongoing review of risks and collation of risk registers as required for the Public Health Support Team.
Advise the team to ensure that programme standards are applied across all areas and to continuously review and seek to improve these standards in line with best practice.
Monitor, support and challenge individual Public Health support plans that feed into the overarching service plan. Ensuring consistency and that all aspects are covered, action plans produced, and milestones met.

General

Handling of all complaints within the support team, liaising with all necessary stakeholders ensuring that a suitable response is always provided in a timely manner in accordance with LCC policy.
Maintain and make improvements to current management systems including audit requirements.
Lead on the collation, dissemination and review of performance monitoring for Public Health support activity. Ensuring consistency across functions, actions are monitored and timescales met.
Work across all areas of the support team to review, develop and implement new ways of working.
Lead on the planning and co-ordination of business continuity within the support team.
Develop, implement, provide and receive complex information in relation to plans, meetings and progress to ensure plans are in place and monitored.

Human Resource Management

Manage permanent and temporary support staff as required in accordance with LCC Policies and Procedures including induction, supervision, appraisals and development plans, monthly 1:1’s, setting objectives and delegation of workload.
Deliver inductions for new staff both permanent and temporary within the directorate.
Provide support, guidance and training as appropriate to staff at all levels to support the implementation of project, programme and benefits management approaches and systems.
Supervise blocks of work to be undertaken by the Public Health Support Team staff.

Additional Information:

The responsibilities of the post holder will need to be flexible due to the wide range of responsibilities of this team.
Attend relevant study/development opportunities.
All employees should understand that it is their personal responsibility to comply with all organisational and statutory requirements, i.e. health and safety, equal treatment and diversity; confidentiality.

Any other duties commensurate with the post holder’s grade as agreed with their line manager which may be required from time to time.

Relationships

Public Health Function
Public Health Support Team
Leeds City Council staff
Other Council corporate directorates
Elected Members
Voluntary Community and Faith Sectors
NHS organisations and partners

Communicates and has contact with:

Other NHS organisations, Public Health teams, Corporate colleagues, Pharmacies/GPs

Qualifications:

Degree or relevant equivalent previous experience

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, excel, internet and email.
Ability to work both on own initiative/self-motivated and as part of a team with the ability to pre-empt problems and solve these in an appropriate manner.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to write reports and communicate in a business context adapting style as appropriate to ensure engagement by others and for a variety of purposes.
Ability to plan, arrange, co-ordinate and facilitate meetings with a range of colleagues and partners.
Good communication skills both written and verbal.
Good time management and ability to work flexibly to manage competing priorities and workload in a rapidly changing environment.
Ability to develop productive working relationships that command respect, trust and confidence.
Ability to contribute to delivering within complex environments involving various stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
Ability to provide a high degree of attention to detail in all aspects of work including report writing.

Knowledge Required

Degree or equivalent relevant experience.
Evidence of taking up training opportunities and personal development.
Knowledge of Public Health services, partners and Government bodies.
Knowledge of Public Health policy and political awareness.
Knowledge of project management.
Engaged in CPD and reflective learning.
Numeracy and literacy skills appropriate to the requirements of this post.
Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft office products.
Awareness of change management approaches and their importance in a project and programme environment.
Knowledge of the current strategic landscape Public Health operates within.
Understanding of principles underpinning office financial systems and awareness of audit requirements.

Experience Required

Significant experience of taking minutes and action points at a range of meetings including forward planning, agenda planning, assurance of completed actions and communicating effectively and timely.
Experience of planning, organising and co-ordinate a range of projects, meetings and communications.
Experience of report writing and governance processes and systems.
Experience of working with Public Health programmes or managing projects.
Evidence of developing and implementing policies and procedures and ability to provide a high level of support to Public Health policy development.
Experience of organising large pieces of work at short notice in order to meet the demands of the Public Health Directorate.
Experience of working in a Public Health project support role and providing high level of delivery in critical timeframe.
Experience of working with a variety of professional groups and across organisation including experience of working across the health sector.
Experience of working on service improvement activity that improved service quality.
Experience of working with health care partners where confidentiality is crucial.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

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.
Willingness to take on tasks and responsibilities commensurate with the grade of this post
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

Evidence of taking notes at meetings, producing action plans and minutes

Knowledge Required

Public Health formal training/qualification
Training in advanced software packages

Experience Required

Experience of providing co-ordination role to Public Health contracts including working with PACS and Commissioning Team

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