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 a Consultant in Public Health who will use their public health skills to contribute to the coordination and delivery of this Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded project to strengthen public health systems and support the implementation of the WHO International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) in low and middle-income countries. The role will contribute to further development of the IHR project, ensuring that UKHSA's technical expertise is optimally applied in the delivery of the project objectives. The post holder will contribute to day-to-day delivery of the project, including contributing to line management of project staff, business management and undertaking regular monitoring and reporting of progress, in support of the Head of the Project.
The post will be based at Nobel House (remote working may be considered) but will involve some international travel for short stints (up to two weeks at a time) to partner countries and institutions.
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 UKHSAs 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.
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.
- Work as part of the projects Senior Leadership Team alongside the Head of the Project and the program managers to oversee the effective delivery of the project across project countries and regions.
- Ensure UKHSA and cross-HMG resources, skills, links and current engagement in aid of IHR implementation and public health system strengthening are effectively leveraged for this project.
- Contribute to the agreement in principle and implementation plans with partner government and authorities in the countries and regions selected for project implementation.
- Develop regional links with WHO and other international organisations, working closely with others in the team particularly in-country advisers, in support of the planned activities through active engagement, workshops and visits as appropriate.
- Report and provide briefings as necessary to a range of stakeholders.
- Liaise with external bodies and contributors to enable their input.
- Present as required to the project group and other stakeholders on the progress of the projects against targets and timeframes.
- Oversee the production and modification of any process maps, scoping documentation, databases and ancillary documents required by the project.
- Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the project as appropriate.
- Ensure that overall project progresses as planned, that resources are managed appropriately, and corrective action is implemented as necessary.
- Line management of some staff. Where line management responsibilities are agreed with Head of the project this will include recruitment, appraisals, disciplinary and grievance responsibilities.
- Manage Specialty Registrars in Public Health Medically qualified members of the public health team are expected to play certain roles in medical leadership, in relationships with the medical profession and in bringing a medical perspective to public health advice. A medically qualified holder of this post would be expected to share these roles with other medically qualified members of the team.
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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 UKHSAs 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.
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.
- Work as part of the projects Senior Leadership Team alongside the Head of the Project and the program managers to oversee the effective delivery of the project across project countries and regions.
- Ensure UKHSA and cross-HMG resources, skills, links and current engagement in aid of IHR implementation and public health system strengthening are effectively leveraged for this project.
- Contribute to the agreement in principle and implementation plans with partner government and authorities in the countries and regions selected for project implementation.
- Develop regional links with WHO and other international organisations, working closely with others in the team particularly in-country advisers, in support of the planned activities through active engagement, workshops and visits as appropriate.
- Report and provide briefings as necessary to a range of stakeholders.
- Liaise with external bodies and contributors to enable their input.
- Present as required to the project group and other stakeholders on the progress of the projects against targets and timeframes.
- Oversee the production and modification of any process maps, scoping documentation, databases and ancillary documents required by the project.
- Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of the project as appropriate.
- Ensure that overall project progresses as planned, that resources are managed appropriately, and corrective action is implemented as necessary.
- Line management of some staff. Where line management responsibilities are agreed with Head of the project this will include recruitment, appraisals, disciplinary and grievance responsibilities.
- Manage Specialty Registrars in Public Health Medically qualified members of the public health team are expected to play certain roles in medical leadership, in relationships with the medical profession and in bringing a medical perspective to public health advice. A medically qualified holder of this post would be expected to share these roles with other medically qualified members of the team.
-
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 in Low- and Middle-income countries at a strategic level, engaging with, and influencing, directors and senior politicians.
- Experience of public health systems in developing countries and 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.
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
- Resource and project management skills with the ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
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
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 in Low- and Middle-income countries at a strategic level, engaging with, and influencing, directors and senior politicians.
- Experience of public health systems in developing countries and 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.
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
- Resource and project management skills with the ability to respond appropriately in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances
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
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).
