Advanced Health Improvement Specialist (Children and Families) in Leeds

The Public Health, Children and Families team is looking for an innovative, enthusiastic individual with the experience and knowledge to lead and manage a diverse range of multi-agency public health projects relating to children, young people and families. The role involves undertaking community-based health needs assessments, implementing recommendations, monitoring and evaluation to improve health and reduce health inequalities. This includes developing and implementing action plans, evidence-based policies and translating evidence into practice in line with key local strategies, including the Leeds Ambitions, Children and Young People’s Partnership Plan, Best Start and Beyond Plan and the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The role requires management of public health commissioned contracts and collaboration with partners on programmes addressing key local wider determinants of health. This post demands extensive partnership working and engagement with local stakeholders, effective communication skills and experience of project and programme management. Initial priorities include overseeing service level agreements for community services focused on communities more vulnerable to poor health outcomes; leading projects with internal and external stakeholders linked to the Best Start and Beyond Plan (e.g. Infant Mortality); supporting the development of a 5-19 School Age Alliance and associated projects; strengthening co-production opportunities and working with the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Sector with the Children and Families Public Health team; leading multi-agency public health work and community-based health needs assessments, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Responsibilities include:

• Project manage and evaluate public health work programmes.
• Facilitate multi-agency working to achieve public health outcomes.
• Provide Public Health input to the commissioning of health, social care and/or children's services.
• Undertake performance and contract management of public health contracts.
• Enable public involvement in planning, development, implementation and evaluation of public health improvement activities.
• Build public health capacity and capability within local communities, third sector and the Local Authority and NHS workforce.
• Contract manage Public Health commissioned services.
• Supervise and manage public health staff as appropriate.
• Contribute and advise on the development and implementation of specialist local health improvement programmes ensuring the implementation of Public Health policies, strategies and work programmes.
• Lead on the development and implementation of public health programmes and initiatives working in partnership with key organisations across Leeds.
• Identify priorities and develop long-term strategies and action plans for public health programmes.
• Provide public health input into the commissioning of health, social care and/or children's services and the development of service specifications and contracts.
• Access evidence bases and use them to ensure work programmes are informed by current evidence of effectiveness.
• Provide advice and support to Integrated Care Boards, General Practice, and other Leeds City Council Departments in respect of public health activities and evidence-based practice.
• Develop communication strategies and campaigns including use of social marketing approaches and work with the media to raise awareness and change behaviour.
• Communicate sensitive information to a range of different agencies, requiring influencing, persuasion and negotiating skills.
• Undertake in-depth analysis and interpretation of health information and health intelligence data.
• Use public health intelligence including needs assessments and qualitative information to inform priorities.
• Undertake needs assessment including community-based health needs assessment.
• Actively work to ensure that public health work programmes seek to reduce inequalities.
• Develop and performance manage contracts and service level agreements with NHS providers, the third sector and others.
• Identify internal and external funding opportunities and prepare and submit business cases and funding bids.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to a range of audiences on a range of issues to large groups.
• Chair and facilitate multi-agency partnership groups and take notes and minutes of meetings as required.
• Support and develop matrix working across Leeds City Council to ensure delivery of public health objectives.
• Influence partners' priorities and action plans to include public health outcomes where appropriate.
• Produce accurate, timely and audience-appropriate reports and data to inform planning, service delivery and development.
• Manage resources and share good practice and models for health improvement with other colleagues and agencies.
• Deliver training on a range of public health topics.
• Undertake public health research and evaluation and identify opportunities to promote and disseminate good practice through various methods.
• Responsible for recruitment/selection, appraisal and co-ordination of a group of public health staff and line management as appropriate.

The duties outlined are not exhaustive and will include any other duties commensurate with the post.

Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree.
• A postgraduate diploma in Public Health or Health Promotion.
• Effective leadership and support to partnership working.
• The ability to communicate the analysis of complex information to a range of audiences.
• A strong commitment to addressing health inequalities.
• Right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment (as per Home Office guidance); evidence of eligibility applies.

Essential requirements:

• Strong IT skills - Microsoft, internet and e-mail.
• Well-developed numerical and analytical skills.
• Skills in interpretation and analysis of data.
• Ability to carry out a health equity audit/health needs assessment.
• Ability to search effectively, collate and apply the published evidence base to inform practice and policy.
• Ability to organise, prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Ability to operate in a politically charged environment.
• Plan, arrange, co-ordinate and facilitate meetings with stakeholders.
• Lead and facilitate multi-agency teams/partnerships.
• Provide advice and expertise on delivering public health programmes to partners and councillors.
• Develop, implement and evaluate long-term plans and strategies across community agencies.
• Communicate complex issues to diverse audiences.
• Write reports and materials for different audiences.
• Project and programme management skills.
• Budget management.
• Deliver and develop training.
• Negotiation and influencing skills.
• Time management and prioritisation.

Benefits include:

• Leeds ambition to be a healthy city; competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (office presence required regularly).
• Clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• Range of staff benefits to support wellbeing and financial wellbeing.