Job summary
The role has a substantial partnership
working remit, leading on bringing together partners and driving actions to
improve substance misuse outcomes, including work of the Alcohol and Drugs Steering
Group and Combating Drugs Partnership. The role will personally build and
develop excellent working relationships with local substance misuse services
and wider partners, building on existing good partnership working.
The role has a substantial commissioning and
performance management element, and, working with the Consultant in Public
Health, will lead on commissioning relating to substance misuse (working with others
e.g., procurement), leading on ensuring high performance and continual
improvement of commissioned substance misuse services.
Main duties of the job
This position will also have a senior role
in the delivery of externally funded substance misuse programmes (supplemental grant
and rough sleeper substance misuse programmes), including leading delivery of
projects or programmes relating to this work. They will be proactive in working
closely with the Programme Delivery Manager for these programmes, supporting
them by providing strategic input, expertise on local need relating to
substance misuse and evidence-based recommendations for action to inform the
programme.
This role would ideally suit a candidate
with experience of work at a senior level in health improvement, including work
relating to substance misuse, with strong public health technical skills, who
is proactive and who has excellent organisational and project/programme
management skills.
The successful candidate will bring energy, drive,
and innovation to make a difference, working through the challenges to improve
outcomes for people in Waltham Forest. We invite applications from individuals
who are skilled at managing relationships and negotiating across a wide range
of organisations, who understand the challenges faced by local authorities and
the NHS, and who will provide strong leadership in contributing to the work of
our dynamic public health team.
If you would like to discuss this role informally,
please contact the Consultant in Public Health, Clare Bailey clare.bailey@walthamforest.gov.ukto arrange a conversation.
About us
Waltham
Forest is a vibrant, diverse borough, home to approximately 260,000 residents
in East London. Working flexibly, including an office base at Willow House on Forest Road,
Walthamstow, the Public Health team has well developed relationships across the
Council and with partners. Led by the Director of Public Health for Waltham
Forest, the team is based in the People Directorate.
The
post holder will join the team at an exciting time in the development of the
public health function in London Borough of Waltham Forest, with significant
challenges including supporting the recovery from COVID-19, tackling the cost
of living crisis and playing a key role in reducing health inequalities, which
is a priority for the council as a whole. We have recently partnered with
Professor Sir Michael Marmot and the Institute of Health Equity to conduct
research and develop action plans to reduce health inequalities in our borough.
The post holder will play a key role in ensuring this work delivers meaningful
change for our residents.
We
are a team committed to providing a stimulating environment within which to
work, running monthly reflective practice sessions, journal clubs and providing
opportunities for personal development through training, education, shadowing
and on-the-job learning. This is highlighted by our success in supporting a
number of previous team members in successful applications to the Public Health
Training scheme.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At present, the role is based at the Council offices in Walthamstow approximately once a week (and additionally where required by business needs), with remote working available the remainder of the time.To lead, plan, develop and deliver an expert professional service within the relevant service area. To support the development, management and delivery of Council services. Manage staff responsible for service delivery / support within the service area. To ensure the Council maximises service outcomes in relation to cost.
Contacts with people of varying levels of seniority, up to senior managers, directors, members and equivalent level external contacts, of key stakeholders partners and providers, to:
- Identify / meet requirements, generate and co-ordinate original ideas and develop council and partnership wide policy and service delivery
- Provide expert advice, guidance and support on highly complex / sensitive issues.
- Communicate changes in policy, strategies and working practice both internally and to partner organisations / stakeholders.
- Build and sustain effective relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
- Work in partnership with internal and external contacts to develop and maintain joint working and promote the Council position.
- Co-ordinate partnership working activities and internal / external working groups.
- Influence stakeholder decisions to improve health and wellbeing of residents.
- Potential contacts with residents as part of community engagement work.
Manage highly complex / high risk issues within a framework of policy and regulatory guidelines. Objectives and targets are developed and agreed in line with service plan. High level of discretion and use of initiative in deciding what course of action to take. Exercise expert judgement in assessing complex stakeholder requirements, potential risk and managing quality assurance of service.
Significant expert knowledge and significant experience is required to resolve highly complex issues and proactively anticipate and mitigate problems. Design and develop innovative solutions which enhance the quality and efficiency of services and reputation of the council. Occasionally the post will be expected to work from other locations.
Job description
Job responsibilities
At present, the role is based at the Council offices in Walthamstow approximately once a week (and additionally where required by business needs), with remote working available the remainder of the time.To lead, plan, develop and deliver an expert professional service within the relevant service area. To support the development, management and delivery of Council services. Manage staff responsible for service delivery / support within the service area. To ensure the Council maximises service outcomes in relation to cost.
Contacts with people of varying levels of seniority, up to senior managers, directors, members and equivalent level external contacts, of key stakeholders partners and providers, to:
- Identify / meet requirements, generate and co-ordinate original ideas and develop council and partnership wide policy and service delivery
- Provide expert advice, guidance and support on highly complex / sensitive issues.
- Communicate changes in policy, strategies and working practice both internally and to partner organisations / stakeholders.
- Build and sustain effective relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
- Work in partnership with internal and external contacts to develop and maintain joint working and promote the Council position.
- Co-ordinate partnership working activities and internal / external working groups.
- Influence stakeholder decisions to improve health and wellbeing of residents.
- Potential contacts with residents as part of community engagement work.
Manage highly complex / high risk issues within a framework of policy and regulatory guidelines. Objectives and targets are developed and agreed in line with service plan. High level of discretion and use of initiative in deciding what course of action to take. Exercise expert judgement in assessing complex stakeholder requirements, potential risk and managing quality assurance of service.
Significant expert knowledge and significant experience is required to resolve highly complex issues and proactively anticipate and mitigate problems. Design and develop innovative solutions which enhance the quality and efficiency of services and reputation of the council. Occasionally the post will be expected to work from other locations.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree standard or equivalent vocational qualification in relevant subject area
- Post graduate degree qualification in public health/health promotion or in a related discipline or equivalent knowledge gained through substantial experience
- Demonstration of public health competencies through achievement of Part A Public Health examination, or other evidence of learning and development in public health competencies (e.g. PH portfolio; UKPHR registration; scientific publications; conference presentations; significant evidence-based public health outputs)
- Management qualification or demonstrable equivalent knowledge
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- At least 3 years experience of operating as a public health strategist or equivalent mid-level public health practitioner (i.e. roughly equivalent to Agenda for Change band 7). (Application)
- Experience of working in health services, local authority or relevant voluntary or public sector setting sufficient to develop an understanding of how complex public sector and/or voluntary sector organisations work and a demonstrable ability to negotiate relationships with internal and external partners. (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of successfully developing, delivering and evaluating health related policies/strategies within a local authority/health and/or community/voluntary sector context (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of successful management of complex multi-agency working with public, private and voluntary / community sector (Application, Interview)
- Knowledge of best practice in management information systems, knowledge management, and records management (including electronic document and records management systems) and their application within the NHS and Local Authority. (Application, Interview)
- Effective communication skills - oral, presentational, written and producing reports and action plans (Application, Interview, Presentation, Written exercise)
- High standard of report writing skills, demonstrated by the ability to write and contribute to reports of varying length and complexity, for a variety of audiences, in a format where implications of the report are fully understood and inform strategic decision making. (Written Exercise)
- Effective usage of technical public health skills in relation to critical appraisal of evidence, and interpretation of health intelligence (Application, Interview, Presentation, Written exercise)
- Good time management and prioritisation skills, ability to use own initiative to manage a number of projects simultaneously, ensuring planning, organising and prioritising work load to meet project deadlines. (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development (Application, interview)
- Good time management and prioritisation skills, demonstrated by the ability to use own initiative to manage a number of projects simultaneously, ensuring planning, organising and prioritising work load to meet project deadlines (Application, Interview, Written exercise)
- Awareness of national and local political environment and priorities, and how this relates to public health (Application, Interview)
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree standard or equivalent vocational qualification in relevant subject area
- Post graduate degree qualification in public health/health promotion or in a related discipline or equivalent knowledge gained through substantial experience
- Demonstration of public health competencies through achievement of Part A Public Health examination, or other evidence of learning and development in public health competencies (e.g. PH portfolio; UKPHR registration; scientific publications; conference presentations; significant evidence-based public health outputs)
- Management qualification or demonstrable equivalent knowledge
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- At least 3 years experience of operating as a public health strategist or equivalent mid-level public health practitioner (i.e. roughly equivalent to Agenda for Change band 7). (Application)
- Experience of working in health services, local authority or relevant voluntary or public sector setting sufficient to develop an understanding of how complex public sector and/or voluntary sector organisations work and a demonstrable ability to negotiate relationships with internal and external partners. (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of successfully developing, delivering and evaluating health related policies/strategies within a local authority/health and/or community/voluntary sector context (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of successful management of complex multi-agency working with public, private and voluntary / community sector (Application, Interview)
- Knowledge of best practice in management information systems, knowledge management, and records management (including electronic document and records management systems) and their application within the NHS and Local Authority. (Application, Interview)
- Effective communication skills - oral, presentational, written and producing reports and action plans (Application, Interview, Presentation, Written exercise)
- High standard of report writing skills, demonstrated by the ability to write and contribute to reports of varying length and complexity, for a variety of audiences, in a format where implications of the report are fully understood and inform strategic decision making. (Written Exercise)
- Effective usage of technical public health skills in relation to critical appraisal of evidence, and interpretation of health intelligence (Application, Interview, Presentation, Written exercise)
- Good time management and prioritisation skills, ability to use own initiative to manage a number of projects simultaneously, ensuring planning, organising and prioritising work load to meet project deadlines. (Application, Interview)
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development (Application, interview)
- Good time management and prioritisation skills, demonstrated by the ability to use own initiative to manage a number of projects simultaneously, ensuring planning, organising and prioritising work load to meet project deadlines (Application, Interview, Written exercise)
- Awareness of national and local political environment and priorities, and how this relates to public health (Application, Interview)
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.