Advanced Health Improvement Specialist (Drugs and Alcohol)
Job title: Advanced Health Improvement Specialist (Drugs and Alcohol)
Hours: 37
Contract: Temporary (9 months)
Location: Merrion House (hybrid working)
INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY: This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.
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 Specialist role you will need to have:
* 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
Public Health is looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic individual with the experience and knowledge to lead the development and implementation of drug and alcohol programmes across the city.
This post will require extensive partnership working and engagement with local stakeholders, effective communication skills and experience of project and programme management.
The successful candidate will:
* Have experience of multi-agency working to achieve public health outcomes
* Be experienced in undertaking Health Needs Assessments and Health Equity Audits
* Be educated to Post Graduate Diploma level in Public Health or a related field.
This post is located in the Localities & Primary Care and Drugs & Alcohol Team. Although the post holder can be deployed on any of the above work programmes they will have a focus on drugs and alcohol.
Initial priorities will be:
* Alcohol licensing – including putting in licensing objections, liaising with colleagues in the Localities Team, and working in partnership with West Yorkshire Police and Trading Standards
* Leading and supporting project and procurement work, including securing future funding
* Leading and supporting drug and alcohol campaign planning, development and dissemination.
* Acting as a member (and Coordinator, when required) of the Leeds Drug Alert System Panel
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 Daniel Burn, Health Improvement Principal (Drugs and Alcohol); Call 0113 378 3744 or email Daniel.Burn@leeds.gov.uk.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
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, candidates must consider their own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. For more information visit Skilled Worker visa on the government website. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
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.
* Facilitate multi-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, implementation and evaluation of public health improvement activities.
* Build public health capacity and capability within local communities, third sector and the Local Authority and NHS workforce.
* Contract manage Public Health commissioned services.
* Supervise and manage public health staff as appropriate.
* 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 and maintaining 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.
* Deliver training on a range of public health topics and deliver sessions on the WIN programme.
* 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
* 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
* Degree
* Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion*
*Please note we are aware Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion may have different titles. If you are unsure if your Post Graduate Diploma is equivalent to a Post Graduate 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 required
* Degree
* Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion.*
* Knowledge of project and programme management.
* Engaged in continuing professional development 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 required
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.
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.
* 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.
*Please note we are aware Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion may have different titles. If you are unsure if your Post Graduate Diploma is equivalent to a Post Graduate Diploma 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.
Knowledge/qualifications required
* Masters in Public Health or Health Promotion.**
* Knowledge of key strategic priorities of public health with Leeds.
Experience required
Leadership and collaborative working
* Experience of working in a political climate.
* Experience of managing staff.
* Experience of identifying performance indicators and managing performance.
** 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr