Central Bedfordshire Council has an exciting opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic officer to work as part of the Choose You service (Quit smoking, lose weight and feel healthier - Choose You), on behalf of the Shared Public Health Service across Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.
Location Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough or Milton Keynes offices and Priory House Office, SG17 5TQ
Salary £28,598 to £31,022 Hours Full Time Contract Permanent (2 positions are available: 1 Permanent & 1 12 Month Fixed term) Placed On Thu 27th November, 2025 Closes 12:00am - Thu 18th December, 2025 Interview Date Tue 6th January, 2026
You will be part of a small team of Engagement Officers who will be responsible for building strong relationships with key partners and communities to ensure that the Choose You service is embedded in our local authority areas. You will act as the key contact for stakeholders and will develop an in-depth understanding of the accessibility of Choose You across our communities, including barriers and blockers to accessing support.
Working under the Public Health Training and Engagement Practitioner you will deliver outreach and engagement activity that will play a key role in connecting stakeholders – including residents, council teams and primary care - with Choose You; share and update information, promote health and wellbeing, reduce inequalities, and encourage access to the service.
Through your understanding of the needs of our partners, you will manage and facilitate access to training to enhance capacity across the partnership to deliver the aims and objectives of the Choose You service.
This is an ideal opportunity for an individual who is passionate about public health, collaboration with key stakeholders, supporting healthy lifestyles and reducing health inequalities.
This role is a hybrid role, with requirements to attend Priory House weekly to enhance working relationships across the Choose You, and Shared Public Health Team across Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes. There will also be requirements for evening and weekend working as needed in line with engagement activity.
Responsibilities
* Developing strong relationships with key partners across the local authority areas
* Establish effective relationships with communities across the local authority areas, focusing on key areas facing greater health inequalities.
* Effectively manage daily workload and demonstrate efficient time management.
* Proactively identifying opportunities for development through key relationships to improve the quality of the service.
* Communicate effectively with the Training and Engagement Practitioner and SM team.
* Provide accurate event reporting to inform and support all aspects of engagement development.
* Collaborate effectively with the wider Choose You team, to provide consistent practice.
* Develop and agree objectives with Training and engagement Practitioner for ongoing development.
* Ensure that Choose You and public health information is disseminated, adapted and updated systematically in collaboration with key stakeholders, including resident communities.
* Represent the wider public health team at relevant engagement events.
Qualifications and Experience
We want to hear from you if you are passionate about improving outcomes, committed to enhancing service delivery and have:
* A relevant degree or equivalent knowledge, with at least 2 years' experience in public health or a related organisation.
* Demonstrable experience of effective relationship management
* Experience of working with a range of stakeholders, including service users, to support services and drive improved outcomes for residents
* Experience in community engagement, outreach or similar within a health setting
* Previous experience leading and co-ordinating events
* Understanding of health inequalities and experience working with diverse populations, including ethnic minorities and individuals from deprived areas
Please note, this role requires travel; you must be able to drive, have access to a vehicle and hold a full valid driving licence with relevant insurance for business use.
Lilli Peters
Contact Telephone 0300 300 8309
Contact Email lilli.peters@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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