Public Health Wales

Senior Policy Officer

The closing date is 01 June 2025

Job summary

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM/SECONDMENT FOR 7 MONTHS UNTIL FEBRUARY 2026 DUE TO SECONDMENT.

You will be leading public health policy projects involving policy proposals, advocacy, analysis and research. You will support the delivery of our Long Term Strategy at Public Health Wales by influencing policy makers and key stakeholders to enable policy change that improves public health in Wales.

The role will include:

Managing policy projects and line-managing team members.

Acting as a 'thought leader' through analysis and policy proposal development by recognising opportunities for public health improvement.

Collaborating internally and externally to draw onexpertise from across the organisation and test policy thinking, shape policy debate and enable policy change.

Communicating effectively through evidence-based policy briefings, reports, articles/blogs, consultation responses, and presentations.

Sharing insights about external policy developments and their implications for public health.

Acting as an advocate for public health.

If you are enthusiastic and motivated, then this is an exciting opportunity for you to join our highly talented, collaborative, dynamic and friendly team.

Main duties of the job

The post will be providing specialist expertise on agreed policy areas.

Policy and Research

Influence policy thinking and enable policy change by building relationships with stakeholders and decision-makers.

Ensure policy work is evidence-based using literature searches, evidence reviews, commissioned research, and engagement with colleagues and stakeholders.

Gather, analyse, and share information about external policy developments and their implications for public health.

Translate research findings and policy proposals into engaging and understandable formats for a range of audiences.

Provide specialist policy input to strategic, multi-agency groups.

Provide advice on policy research methods, use, and analysis of data (quantitative and qualitative).

Undertake data collection and analysis using a range of methods and, with others, publish findings in academic and non-academic papers.

Management

o Develop and lead programmes and projects to enable policy advocacy and implementation.

o Manage the delivery of an agreed work plan within agreed timescales and budgets.

o Ensure that all projects and research comply with governance policies and procedures.

o Contribute to the work of the wider directorate/organisation.

o Line manage team members.

THIS POST IS FIXED TERM FOR 7 MONTHS.

About us

Public Health Wales is the National Public Health Institute in Wales. Our vision is 'Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales'. We play a pivotal role in driving improvements in population health and well-being, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare outcomes, protecting the public and supporting the development of health in all policies across Wales.

Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change. We are an organisation that places ourselves at the heart of supporting people, communities, partners, and the Welsh Government in addressing these major challenges and providing solutions for action.

Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.

To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/

For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/

Date posted

20 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,840 to £53,602 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

7 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

028-AC120-0525

Job locations

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ

Job description

Job responsibilities

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

For further information about the vacancy please see the job description and personal specification attached.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

For further information about the vacancy please see the job description and personal specification attached.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Significant demonstrable experience of policy analysis, understanding political and policy contexts, and finding solutions e.g. through developing robust policy proposals
Experience of developing and managing stakeholder relationships
Experience of engagement with government and/or stakeholder organisations to influence policy makers
Experience leading projects or programmes

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

Essential

Policy advocacy and influencing skills through building influential relationships, with the ability to present complex issues in a persuasive, accessible style to a range of audiences and in different settings
Ability to assimilate new policy issues/areas quickly, make connections between different policy areas, and initiate and frame new policy agendas
Ability to communicate complex information in writing and orally, in formal and informal settings and to different audiences
Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and motivate others

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Significant demonstrable experience of policy analysis, understanding political and policy contexts, and finding solutions e.g. through developing robust policy proposals
Experience of developing and managing stakeholder relationships
Experience of engagement with government and/or stakeholder organisations to influence policy makers
Experience leading projects or programmes

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes

Essential

Policy advocacy and influencing skills through building influential relationships, with the ability to present complex issues in a persuasive, accessible style to a range of audiences and in different settings
Ability to assimilate new policy issues/areas quickly, make connections between different policy areas, and initiate and frame new policy agendas
Ability to communicate complex information in writing and orally, in formal and informal settings and to different audiences
Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and motivate others

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).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

Certificate of Sponsorship

Employer details

Employer name

Public Health Wales

Address

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ

Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Public Health Wales

Address

Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham

CF10 4BZ

Employer's website

https://phw.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)