Overview
Are you passionate about improving mental health and wellbeing at a population level? Leeds City Council is seeking an experienced and dynamic Health Improvement Specialist to deliver and support innovative public health programmes. This is a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people across Leeds, with a focus on Public Mental Health and Healthy Living. The post requires collaborative working and engagement with local stakeholders, effective communication skills and experience of managing varied and sometimes emotive programmes of work. The post holder will help support commissioning of evidence based programmes of work that reduce health inequalities and support the delivery of high quality projects.
This role is based in the Healthy Living and Public Mental Health Team in the Public Health function in Leeds City Council. Although the post holder can be deployed on any of the above work areas, they will have an initial focus on Public Mental Health programmes including suicide prevention and protective factors and Healthy Living programmes including healthy settings and workplaces.
Responsibilities
* Support the continuous development, implementation and evaluation of public health work.
* Facilitate the implementation of health and wellbeing programmes.
* Implement and monitor contracts with partners.
* Analyse and evaluate complex health data and effectiveness of public health initiatives and programmes, identifying and assessing alternative approaches.
* Develop, continually review and update action plans taking account of local and national policy and guidance.
* Support delivery of programmes to raise awareness and increase early detection in relation to the health and wellbeing of people of the specified locality or topic.
* Lead on the development of systems to ensure the sharing of best practice between the services.
* Work in partnership with other council directorates and external organisations such as ICBs and third sector to ensure optimum quality of service delivery.
* Maintain stock and resource levels within own function.
* Authorise payments for goods and services required for public health work.
* Monitor budget expenditure.
* To facilitate and develop marketing strategies to continuously raise awareness of health and wellbeing needs.
* Project manage public health programmes.
* Contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations and other promotional material.
* Actively work to ensure that targets and outcomes seek to reduce inequalities.
* Proactively identify opportunities to work in partnership to deliver public health work programmes.
* Participate in team meetings, providing information to members as appropriate.
* Participate in the appraisal and personal development planning process.
* Provide training, development and mentorship to a range of Public Health areas.
* Regularly access evidence bases and use them to ensure that work programmes are informed by current evidence of effectiveness.
* Participate in and support Health Impact Assessments and Health Equity Audits and public involvement surveys.
* Identify opportunities to promote, disseminate good practice through a variety of methods, including published journals.
Qualifications and requirements
* To be considered for this Health Improvement Specialist role you will need to have:
* An undergraduate degree
* Good knowledge of multi-agency working
* Good knowledge of Health Needs Assessment / Health Equity Audits
* Good data analysis and presentation skills
* Good team working
* A strong commitment to addressing health inequalities
* Degree
* Knowledge of project management
* Engaged in continuing professional development and reflective practice
* Knowledge of multi-agency partnership working
* Knowledge and understanding of health inequalities
* Knowledge of public policy and political awareness
* Knowledge of current strategic landscape public health operates within
Experience
* Assessing the Evidence — Experience of evaluating public health initiatives and using evidence bases to inform work programmes.
* Leadership and collaborative working — Experience of working in diverse communities and in partnership with varied professional groups.
* Experience of working with a variety of professional groups and in partnership; experience of delivering training.
* Experience of undertaking Health Needs Assessments and Health Equity Audits.
* Experience of supporting the implementation of policies and strategies within own area of work.
Essential behaviours and other characteristics
* Commitment to improving health and reducing health inequalities, public health ethics and fostering a learning environment.
* Able to work flexibly hours and location, and willingness to travel.
* Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
* Committed to continuous improvement and delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
* Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
* Ability to manage budgets; negotiation and influencing skills; ability to deliver training.
* Post Graduate Diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion (note: titles may vary; contact recruiting officer if unsure about equivalence).
Other information
* The responsibilities of the post holder will be flexible as the role evolves.
* Attend relevant study/development opportunities.
* Any other duties commensurate with the grade which may be required from time to time.
* Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment.
* Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (spending regular time in the office in addition to home working).
* A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays; Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund; a range of staff benefits; and a clear career pathway.
Important notes
To be eligible for sponsorship you must check your eligibility; if you do not have the right to work in the UK, sponsorship requirements may apply.
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