Job summary
This post is sits within UKHSA's Global Operations Division, led by the Director of Global Operations. Global Operations supports the delivery of UKHSA's Global Health Strategy. It provides a corporate service to UKHSA supporting the oversight, coordination and delivery of UKHSA's international activity and working with UK government departments and other UK partners to build and strengthen international public health links. The division also maintains its own extensive portfolio of global health programs and projects, focusing on technical capacity building and health system strengthening in partner countries
The International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project IHR strengthening project is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded project designed to improve IHR capability in selected countries and regions with medium and long-term activities taking place through partnerships with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) in several countries in Africa and Asia. The project's first implementation phase (2016-2021) is now complete and the second funding cycle (2022-2025) will commence April 2022. The project has a triple mandate to build technical capability, strengthen leadership and develop sustainable public health systems. It does this through working at national level in partnerships with NPHIs and Ministries and at a regional level with regional bodies such as Africa CDC and EMPHNET and ASEAN as well as regional WHO.
Main duties of the job
We are recruiting the IHR project in-country lead for Africa CDC, to be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The postholder will work closely with Africa CDC (https://africacdc.org/), which is the specialized technical institution of the African Union established to support public health initiatives of Member States and strengthen the capacity of their public health institutions to detect, prevent, control and respond quickly and effectively to disease threats. Delivery of the project activities will be predominantly in partnership with Africa CDC. An MOU governs the relationship and accountability arrangement between the IHR project and the host country/Africa CDC.
The post holder will also be responsible for linking with other partners and organisations in Ethiopia, identifying opportunities for sustainability and for coordinating technical input from across UK Health Security Agency.
This post will be based within the British Embassy in Addis and the successful applicant will be designated as an official of HMG.
About us
At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.
Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will possess diplomatic skills and an ability to engage with Ministers, senior Government and other donor or development agency officials at a high level. We are seeking individuals with both technical knowledge and international relations capability, able to demonstrate both UKHSA and Civil Services competencies and ways of working.
As such, the post holder will be a skilled negotiator, with experience of managing complex stakeholder environments. The post holder will either be a medical consultant or have an equivalent degree. Previous experience of working in low or middle income countries is essential, ideally in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The postholder will be responsible for delivering and coordinating the delivery of a number of outputs agreed by the Head of the IHR-S project in UKHSA and in alignment with partners priorities. Specific work plans will be agreed in consultation with UKHSA IHR-S Head of project.
Core duties and responsibilities will include the following:
- Advising on and providing technical support to public health partners and organisations in Africa where a need has been expressed.
- Demonstrate strong diplomacy skills in engaging with senior leaders, ministers, senior government officials and other donor or development agency representatives.
- Proactively influence and negotiate in order to develop and manage effective key relationships with local and other international stakeholders.
- Ensure the delivery of UKHSAs project to strengthen IHR compliance in African member states.
- Under the direction of the IHR-S Head of project, provide advice and guidance on UKHSA activities in Africa CDC, and in consultation with the IHR-S Head of Project and partner organisations, set objectives for the UKHSA IHR-S project in Africa CDC.
- Work with the projects UK based program and project managers and support team in the coordination of key project activities e.g. international training and events, international deployments and procurement; supporting with maintenance of project documentation, progress and risk trackers and finance records as required.
- Report writing and communication of activities and deliverables as required by Head of IHR-S Project and in line with Ways of Working document/timelines e.g. quarterly reporting, input to weekly meetings, quarterly technical working group meetings, etc.
- Host technical experts from across UKHSA, HMG and external partners (e.g. Faculty of Public Health) on their visits to deliver specific technical expertise for aspects of the project as required/identified.
- Representing the Africa CDC components of the IHR-S project at internal and external meetings as directed by, or in partnership with, the IHR- S Head of project
- Report, publication writing and communication of programme activities and deliverables
- Possible additional general responsibilities such as mentoring public health professionals in Africa/ other organisations as relevant.
- Carrying out other functions in line with professional capabilities as agreed with line management.
Option 3 External- Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.
The successful candidate will be appointed to the point of the Consultant salary scale appropriate to their years of seniority or if from a background other than medicine to NHS Agenda for Change Band 8d.
Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview)
If included in the GMC Specialist Register/ in a specialty other than public health medicine, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of public health practice
Public Health Specialty Registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry at the date of interview; all other applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the GMC
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will possess diplomatic skills and an ability to engage with Ministers, senior Government and other donor or development agency officials at a high level. We are seeking individuals with both technical knowledge and international relations capability, able to demonstrate both UKHSA and Civil Services competencies and ways of working.
As such, the post holder will be a skilled negotiator, with experience of managing complex stakeholder environments. The post holder will either be a medical consultant or have an equivalent degree. Previous experience of working in low or middle income countries is essential, ideally in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The postholder will be responsible for delivering and coordinating the delivery of a number of outputs agreed by the Head of the IHR-S project in UKHSA and in alignment with partners priorities. Specific work plans will be agreed in consultation with UKHSA IHR-S Head of project.
Core duties and responsibilities will include the following:
- Advising on and providing technical support to public health partners and organisations in Africa where a need has been expressed.
- Demonstrate strong diplomacy skills in engaging with senior leaders, ministers, senior government officials and other donor or development agency representatives.
- Proactively influence and negotiate in order to develop and manage effective key relationships with local and other international stakeholders.
- Ensure the delivery of UKHSAs project to strengthen IHR compliance in African member states.
- Under the direction of the IHR-S Head of project, provide advice and guidance on UKHSA activities in Africa CDC, and in consultation with the IHR-S Head of Project and partner organisations, set objectives for the UKHSA IHR-S project in Africa CDC.
- Work with the projects UK based program and project managers and support team in the coordination of key project activities e.g. international training and events, international deployments and procurement; supporting with maintenance of project documentation, progress and risk trackers and finance records as required.
- Report writing and communication of activities and deliverables as required by Head of IHR-S Project and in line with Ways of Working document/timelines e.g. quarterly reporting, input to weekly meetings, quarterly technical working group meetings, etc.
- Host technical experts from across UKHSA, HMG and external partners (e.g. Faculty of Public Health) on their visits to deliver specific technical expertise for aspects of the project as required/identified.
- Representing the Africa CDC components of the IHR-S project at internal and external meetings as directed by, or in partnership with, the IHR- S Head of project
- Report, publication writing and communication of programme activities and deliverables
- Possible additional general responsibilities such as mentoring public health professionals in Africa/ other organisations as relevant.
- Carrying out other functions in line with professional capabilities as agreed with line management.
Option 3 External- Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.
The successful candidate will be appointed to the point of the Consultant salary scale appropriate to their years of seniority or if from a background other than medicine to NHS Agenda for Change Band 8d.
Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview)
If included in the GMC Specialist Register/ in a specialty other than public health medicine, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of public health practice
Public Health Specialty Registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry at the date of interview; all other applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the GMC
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate qualification in Public Health (e.g. MPH) or related field
- Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List/UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists
- Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognised body if applicable
- MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working in Global Public Health
- Significant experience working in Public Health at a senior level or a related discipline since specialisation and experience of working at regional or national level in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Previous experience of working at a strategic level, engaging with, and influencing, directors and senior politicians.
- Experience of public health systems with demonstrable experience in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response and health protection
- High level of understanding of surveillance, epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health system development.
- Significant experience managing and leading a team.
Desirable
- Understanding of UK public health system
- Scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc.
Skills & Capabilities
Essential
- Excellent oral, written and presentation communication skills (including dealing with the media and engaging with a wide range of diverse audiences)
- Ability to design, develop, interpret and implement policies
- Exceptional interpersonal, motivational and influencing skills; effective negotiator with practical expectation of what can be achieved
- Computer literate
- Training and mentoring skills
- Resource and project management skills with the ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
- Understanding of global health including the health challenges of low- and middle-income countries and the international health architecture and knowledge of global health security architecture such as the WHO International Health Regulations (2005), and integrated disease surveillance and response systems
Equality & Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems
- Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; cultural competence - cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Significant self-awareness, including recognition of neocolonialism and ethical practice in the global health space
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post-graduate qualification in Public Health (e.g. MPH) or related field
- Inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List/UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists
- Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognised body if applicable
- MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working in Global Public Health
- Significant experience working in Public Health at a senior level or a related discipline since specialisation and experience of working at regional or national level in a multi-stakeholder environment
- Previous experience of working at a strategic level, engaging with, and influencing, directors and senior politicians.
- Experience of public health systems with demonstrable experience in disease surveillance, emergency preparedness and response and health protection
- High level of understanding of surveillance, epidemiology and statistics, public health practice, health promotion, health economics and health system development.
- Significant experience managing and leading a team.
Desirable
- Understanding of UK public health system
- Scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc.
Skills & Capabilities
Essential
- Excellent oral, written and presentation communication skills (including dealing with the media and engaging with a wide range of diverse audiences)
- Ability to design, develop, interpret and implement policies
- Exceptional interpersonal, motivational and influencing skills; effective negotiator with practical expectation of what can be achieved
- Computer literate
- Training and mentoring skills
- Resource and project management skills with the ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
- Understanding of global health including the health challenges of low- and middle-income countries and the international health architecture and knowledge of global health security architecture such as the WHO International Health Regulations (2005), and integrated disease surveillance and response systems
Equality & Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems
- Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; cultural competence - cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Significant self-awareness, including recognition of neocolonialism and ethical practice in the global health space
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
