Job title: Head of Public Health (Healthy Living and Public Mental Health)
Salary: DIR 45%, £60,480 - £66,318 (pro rata)
Hours: 14.5
Contract: Temporary job share
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 Head of Public Health role you will need to have:
- An undergraduate degree
- A Masters in Public Health / Masters in Health Promotion
- Considerable experience of working at PO6 level or equivalent
- Highly effective leadership, which provides strategic direction, public health advocacy and influencing / development of policy
- Ability to analyse, synthesise and present evidence
- A strong commitment to addressing health inequalities
About the role
As a Head of Public Health, you will join a dynamic public health team and play a pivotal role in delivering the city’s ambitions.
This role is a Job Share opportunity within our Healthy Living and Public Mental Health Team. We are seeking a highly effective leader to drive our approach on creating a healthier environment.
As a key senior leader, you will provide high-level strategic advice across the whole system, with a specific portfolio focus on Healthy Living, Healthy Places and Healthy Weight.
Your primary objectives will include:
- Healthy Weight: Leading efforts to support communities in maintaining healthy weight. This includes reducing high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) advertising, managing the cumulative impact of hot food takeaways and increasing access to healthy food.
- Healthy Place-Shaping: Collaborating closely with Spatial Planning to embed health into the built environment. You will ensure the planning process—specifically for large developments—includes robust assessments of health impacts to encourage healthy design.
The role involves working as part of a job-share arrangement to deliver Head of Service leadership across the team. You will specifically lead and have line management responsibility for a number of staff within the Healthy Living and Public Mental Health Team who work on healthy places, food and healthy weight.
Initial priorities will be:
- Influencing and collaborating with anchor organisations and partners across the city to develop and adopt a strategic approach to healthy weight.
- Providing strategic leadership across the public health function and within Leeds City Council as a whole to ensure that public health is actively engaged and embedded in the planning system.
- Providing strategic leadership around the health and wellbeing mission of the Leeds Food Strategy.
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
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidancefor 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 Anna Frearson Chief Officer / Consultant in Public Health (Healthy Living and Public Mental Health) Call 07712 214816 or email Anna.Frearson@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
- To lead the strategic development and implementation on a range of policies, strategies and services to improve health and reduce inequalities for the population of Leeds.
- To lead the operational management, contract management and development of services relevant to area/topic ensuring it is accessible, effective and reaching the most deprived areas of the city to ensure it is addressing inequalities.
- To lead, support and inform an evidence-based approach within ethical frameworks for commissioning and developing high quality equitable services.
- To lead development, planning and implementation of programmes relevant to area/topic.
- To provide highly specialised public health advice, leadership and consultancy on evidence of effectiveness and complex analysis of local intelligence/needs, including communicating sensitive and highly complex information.
- Providing public health advice and leadership to the commissioning of services and/or effective approaches across the broader public health agenda.
- Providing strategic expert public health advice and leadership on behalf of Public Health Office.
- To actively forge strategic alliances and effective partnerships for health and healthy public policy.
- Building capacity and capability within the Local Authority and NHS workforce and local communities to contribute towards the broader public health agenda.
Responsibilities
- To oversee and influence the development and implementation of strategies and plans to support continuous improvement of the commissioning and delivery of national and local programmes.
- To implement and develop a range of public health policies which impact across a wide range of organisations and communities.
- To lead the identification of the need for and subsequent development/ commissioning of health needs assessment including equity audits and research projects in relation to addressing inequalities in health.
- To plan, design and lead public health programmes taking into account of the evidence base and effectiveness, focusing on prevention and addressing health inequalities.
- To develop robust business cases for the commissioning services.
- To develop and maintain systems for tracking progress and performance against key programmes and projects, ensuring that any slippage against plan is highlighted and action taken to address it and changes are communicated directly
- To ensure there are robust systems and processes in place to collate and analyse data and that it is provided in useful formats to key parties including The Leeds Office of the ICB, DPH, UK Health Security Agency, (UKHSA), Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), NHS Digital, NHS England and NHS Improvement, Health and Wellbeing boards.
- Undertake and lead surveillance and assessment of health and wellbeing to inform the development of policies and strategies, using appropriate epidemiological techniques and methods for evaluating and monitoring health inequalities including health equity auditing.
- Undertake analysis and interpretation of numerical and qualitative data by the application of appropriate epidemiological and statistical techniques for use in policy development, strategic planning and publications.
- To interpret a broad range and significant volume of complex facts or situations in order to form judgements and support decision making.
- To work autonomously providing advice and guidance on the interpretation of local and national policies and including the production of reports and meeting governance requirements.
- Contribute to or lead the public health input into the commissioning of 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.
- To provide guidance and strategic input and lead challenging discussions to achieve collective objectives particularly where there are barriers to understanding or acceptance by using tact, diplomacy and persuasion to gain stakeholder support.
- Through highly effective linkages, ensures relationships are established and developed with senior leaders, enabling the aligning of local priorities and maintenance of structures and networks.
- To provide highly specialised advice and expertise to senior managers and others. This may involve presenting complex or sensitive information to large groups where acceptance is key to delivery.
- To plan and facilitate events/workshops to ensure engagement in the development of key Public Health priorities.
- Deputise for the Consultant in Public Health or represent Leeds City Council when requested.
- Provide effective communication of public health information to health professionals and the public. This will involve reframing complex data and information into clear and understandable formats appropriate to the target audience.
- Undertake public health research and evaluation and commission and co-ordinate research programmes.
- Design and manage social marketing, mass media and public information campaigns as a component of health promotion strategies, including the use of advertising media, press releases and media interviews.
- Contribute to shared learning and dissemination of good practice locally, regionally and nationally, working in collaboration with colleagues throughout the Leeds health economy.
- Contribute to budgetary decisions on commissioned services. Act as Budget Manager, use specialist public health knowledge to allocate resources to meet need and ensure value for money.
- Responsible for the recruitment and selection, appraisal, development, leadership and co-ordination of a group of public health staff.
- Authorised signatory and budget holder. Monitor or contributor to the formulation of department budgets and financial initiatives as required by Director of Public Health.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
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
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
- It is essential that candidates hold an Undergraduate Degree and a Masters in Public Health or Health Promotion*
*Please note we are aware Masters in Public Health or Health Promotion may have different titles. If you are unsure if your Masters is equivalent to a Masters 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
- Ability to take a strategic overview of surveillance and assessment to inform decisions and priority setting.
- Skills in interpretation and analysis of data from multiple sources.
- Well-developed numerical and analytical skills.
- Ability to translate data about health and well-being to influence, challenge and inform decisions and priority settings.
- Ability to carry out highly complex analysis of public health interventions utilising data where a range of diverse and different opinions may exist from different agencies some of which may be contentious.
Assessing the Evidence
- Ability to analyse, synthesise and present knowledge and information about complex subjects and concepts to influence key decisions.
- Ability to search effectively, collate and assimilate the published evidence base and apply to inform practice and health policy development.
- Ability to develop and maintain a culture of continuous evidence based improvement.
Leadership and collaborative working
- Ability to manage a significant size budget across a wide portfolio.
- Ability to communicate challenging, complex and sensitive issues and information to a wide range of people and abilities in different situations and formats.
- Well-developed communication skills: written, verbal and presentation.
- Ability to lead multi-agency strategic teams and partnerships in the development of knowledge, ideas and work practice.
- Ability to set a clear strategic direction, inspire and motivate others and act as an advocate for public health within council and partners.
- Ability to effectively lead the identification of performance indicators and managing performance.
- Ability to think creatively and stimulate action.
- Ability to operate in a politically charged environment.
Knowledge/qualifications required
- Undergraduate Degree.
- Masters in Public Health or Health Promotion.*
- Knowledge of project and programme management.
- Engage in continuing professional development and reflective practice.
- Knowledge of leadership and management theory.
- Knowledge of multi-agency partnership working at all levels.
- Knowledge and understanding of health inequalities.
- Knowledge of public policy and political awareness.
- Knowledge of the current strategic landscape public health operates within.
Experience required
- Substantial senior leadership and management experience in public health and/or equivalent field relevant to the area of service delivery.
Surveillance and Assessment
- Experience of undertaking Health Needs Assessments and Health Equity Audits.
Assessing the evidence
- Experience of evaluating public health interventions.
- Experience of using evidence to influence decision making.
Leadership and collaborative working
- Leading and management of public health programmes within a broad portfolio.
- Experience of recruiting, line management and successful team leadership.
- Experience of leading the use and response to media.
- Experience of multi-agency working at a strategic level to achieve public health outcomes.
- Experience of developing and leading strategy, project and programme plans, financial proposals and service specifications based on need.
- Experience of leading/effecting innovation and change.
- Experience of leading the identification of performance indicators and managing performance.
Policy and Strategy
- Experience of leading the development of strategy, projects and programme plans, financial proposals and service specifications based on need.
- Experience of tackling problems across a broad range of issues requiring creative and strategic thinking.
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 embraceLeeds 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
- Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
- 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.
* Please note we are aware Masters in Public Health or Health Promotion may have different titles. If you are unsure if your Masters is equivalent to a Masters in Public Health or Health Promotion please contact the recruiting officer to discuss.
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.
Experience Required
Leadership and collaborative working
- Experience of sharing own good practice and that of team locally/nationally/internationally and supporting others to write articles, presenting at conferences.
