At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a comprehensive needs assessment for drug and alcohol services.
- Company: Herefordshire Council, dedicated to improving public health.
- Benefits: Fully remote work for 8 weeks with impactful community outcomes.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence strategic decision-making and improve community health.
- Why this job: Shape the future of drug and alcohol services and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Experience in public health assessments and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Herefordshire Council are seeking an experienced and analytically minded Drugs and Alcohol Needs Assessment Specialist to support a critical piece of public health work for 8 weeks. This work can be undertaken fully remotely. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of drug and alcohol services across the county.
You will lead the development of a comprehensive, evidence-based needs assessment that will directly inform recommissioning decisions, service design and improved outcomes for residents. We are looking for a professional who combines strong analytical capability with deep subject matter expertise in substance misuse and public health systems.
What will you be doing?
You will deliver a robust Drugs and Alcohol Needs Assessment that provides a clear, epidemiological understanding of local need, service performance and future priorities. Working closely with commissioners and partners, you will:
- Analyse local, regional and national datasets (including treatment and population data) to identify trends, patterns and emerging risks
- Assess the size, scale and nature of drug and alcohol misuse across Herefordshire, including high-risk and underserved populations
- Review current service provision, identifying strengths, gaps and opportunities for improvement
- Explore key issues such as relapse, continuity of care, and drug and alcohol-related deaths, drawing out actionable insights
- Examine inequalities in access and outcomes across geography and demographic groups
- Incorporate qualitative insight, including lived experience, to complement quantitative analysis
- Benchmark performance against comparable areas and national indicators
- Produce a clear, evidence-based report with practical recommendations to inform future service design and commissioning
- Present findings to key stakeholders and partnership forums
This work will directly influence strategic decision-making around prevention, treatment and recovery services across the system.
About You
We are looking for a specialist who can bring both technical analytical expertise and strong subject knowledge of drug and alcohol systems. You will have:
- Demonstrable experience delivering public health needs assessments, ideally within substance misuse or a closely related field
- Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets and translate them into meaningful insight
- In-depth knowledge of drug and alcohol treatment systems, policy context and current best practice
- Experience working with datasets such as NDTMS, OHID Fingertips or similar population health intelligence sources
- A proven ability to identify unmet need, inequalities, and service gaps, and make evidence-based recommendations
- Experience of engaging stakeholders and incorporating lived experience into analysis
- Excellent written and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex findings clearly to a range of audiences
- The ability to work independently, manage timelines, and respond to feedback in a collaborative environment
You will bring a balanced approach, combining analytical rigour with a practical understanding of what works in prevention, treatment and recovery systems.
Why this role matters
This work will provide the evidence base for future commissioning and service redesign, helping to ensure services are responsive, effective and aligned to local need. Your work will help identify how we can improve outcomes, reduce harm, and better support individuals and communities affected by substance misuse.
Drugs and Alcohol Needs Assessment Specialist in Hereford employer: JOB SWITCH LTD
Herefordshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for a Drugs and Alcohol Needs Assessment Specialist to contribute meaningfully to public health initiatives. With the flexibility of fully remote work, employees benefit from a supportive culture that values analytical expertise and collaboration, while also providing opportunities for professional growth in a critical area of community health. Join us to make a tangible impact on drug and alcohol services across the county, ensuring they are responsive and effective for all residents.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Drugs and Alcohol Needs Assessment Specialist in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the public health and substance misuse sectors. Attend relevant webinars or local events, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your analytical skills and past projects related to drug and alcohol needs assessments. This will give potential employers a clear picture of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on current trends in substance misuse and public health. Be ready to discuss how your skills can directly impact service design and improve outcomes for communities. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you land that role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in public health.
We think you need these skills to ace Drugs and Alcohol Needs Assessment Specialist in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Drugs and Alcohol Needs Assessment Specialist role. Highlight your analytical skills and experience in public health needs assessments, especially in substance misuse. We want to see how your background aligns with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, be sure to include specific examples of how you've interpreted complex datasets in the past. We love seeing how you can turn data into actionable insights that can inform service design.
Communicate Clearly:Your written communication skills are key! When drafting your application, aim for clarity and conciseness. We need to know you can present complex findings clearly to a range of audiences, so make sure your writing reflects that ability.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter and ready to make an impact in public health.
How to prepare for a job interview at JOB SWITCH LTD
✨Know Your Data
Make sure you’re familiar with the datasets relevant to the role, like NDTMS and OHID Fingertips. Brush up on how to interpret complex data and be ready to discuss trends and patterns in substance misuse during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples of past projects where you’ve delivered public health needs assessments. Highlight your ability to combine quantitative and qualitative insights, and be ready to explain how you’ve used these skills to inform service design.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about your experience working with stakeholders and incorporating lived experiences into your analysis. Be prepared to share specific instances where you’ve successfully engaged with partners to drive improvements in services.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice presenting complex findings in a clear and concise manner. You might be asked to explain your insights to a range of audiences, so being able to communicate effectively is key. Consider preparing a mock presentation to refine your delivery.
