The Joint Work and Health Directorate (JWHD) works to improve the health and employment outcomes for disabled people and those with health conditions.
We are a cross-government unit - jointly sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - working across government and the wider public sector to develop solutions that benefit disabled people and those with health conditions in getting into and getting on in work, in recognition of the significant link between work and health.
There’s never been a more exciting time to join the Directorate. The Government has ambitious plans around employment, including disability employment, set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, the Employment Rights Bill and the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill. We know that there is more to do to address the labour market challenges of today and tomorrow.
We are looking for a Policy and Strategy leader with experience of working collaboratively both within and across organisations to deliver for our Ministers and bring their strategic vision to life.
Evidence shows that good quality employment is an important determinant of good health and poor health is a major driver of economic inactivity. The Joint DWP and DHSC Work & Health Directorate (JWHD) was set up in 2015 in recognition of this significant two-way link between health and work, and reports to both DHSC and DWP Ministers.
The JWHD plays a vital role in joining up the provision of services to support disabled people and people with health conditions to start work, get back into work and to stay in work. An integrated health and employment offer is essential in preventing people falling out of work and supporting them to return, building on partnership working (including with employers) and embedding employment as part of health and care discussions.
The Deputy Director for Work and Health Policy & Strategy in the Joint Work & Health Directorate will be responsible for developing government policy and interventions designed to tackle ill-health related economic inactivity and help more people to reap the health benefits of good work.
The Deputy Director for Work and Health Policy & Strategy will lead geographically dispersed teams across two government departments, utilising the evidence base generated by JWHD and externally, working collaboratively with partners in and outside of government to set policy and design supportive mechanisms across the working age population.
The Deputy Director will work closely with the Directorate’s Senior Leadership team and Deputy Directors with responsibility for Delivery, Analysis, Health and Employer-facing initiatives. This is a fast-paced, complex and high-profile environment.
The Directorate sits within both DHSC’s Primary Care and Prevention Group and DWP’s (Labour Market Policy and Implementation) Policy Group and the Deputy Director will need to convene and collaborate with colleagues across government in the development of joined up work and health policy interventions.
Key Responsibilities
As Deputy Director, Work and Health Policy- your main responsibilities will include:
* Leading on engagement with and provision of advice to Ministers, and working across DHSC, DWP, the NHS and other government departments to scope, design and deliver the ambitions of Ministers on work and health policy and strategy;
* Providing advice on mission commitments relating to growth, health-related economic inactivity and measures to increase labour market participation and retention in work for disabled people and those with health conditions;
* Development of policy in support of joined up locally led work, health and skills plans and interventions to support disabled people and those with health conditions to get into and get on in work;
* Overseeing, where appropriate, legislative and policy reform;
* Working with policy teams in DWP, DHSC and colleagues in NHS England to ensure evidence-based work and health solutions and delivered through local health systems, local authorities, mayoral combined authorities, the job centre network and other local partners.
* Oversight of ‘policy into delivery projects and programmes as Senior Responsible Owner or Senior Business Owner with specified accountability.
* Working with a range of external stakeholders, think tanks and thought leaders to develop and consolidate the evidence base on what works in good work and health support interventions
* Providing leadership and coordination of SR proposals relating to growth, health and employment
We expect all our senior leaders to be:
* Inspiring – about our work and its future
* Confident – in our engagement with others
* Empowering – to allow our teams to deliver.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .