Alcohol and Gambling - Policy lead

In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose - to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you.

The Health Improvement Directorate leads on evidence based public health policy and programmes to prevent and reduce the health and social impact caused by drugs, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, unhealthy diets, obesity and physical inactivity.

We have a hugely challenging work programme, which if successful will drive real change:
- If everyone ate in line with our dietary advice we would increase population life expectancy by eight years
- We are creating the first smoke free generation - the biggest public health intervention in a generation.
- We are reducing alcohol and gambling harms.
- We are expanding drug and alcohol treatment and recovery support.

Within Health Improvement Directorate, the Alcohol and Gambling team leads on a range of high-profile policy and programmes. This work has the ultimate aim of reducing the harms and deaths associated with alcohol and gambling.

This is an exciting time to be joining the Alcohol and Gambling team. The successful candidates will join a team of c5 team members who oversee the department's programmes to address alcohol and gambling related harms.

The policy landscape on alcohol and gambling is complex, with responsibilities for both cutting across several departments. Our team co-ordinates with other governments departments to delivery governments priorities on reducing alcohol and gambling related harms. You will lead workstreams including policy development, advise to ministers, and substantial cross-government and external stakeholder engagement.

The post will be responsible for development and delivery of quality assured advice, based on the best available evidence to Ministers, on opportunities to develop and implement a range of policies as part of their health Mission objective to build an NHS fit for the future, developing and implementing policies, and overseeing research projects.

In relation to gambling, this will include driving forward work to reduce gambling-related harms in line with the government's manifesto commitment, working closely with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and NHS England (NHSE).

In relation to alcohol, the role will focus on the prevention of alcohol related harms, which has been identified as a priority area. The successful candidates will also work closely with the Drug and Alcohol treatment team in the directorate (who hold responsibility for treatment).

Given the synergetic and cross cutting nature of these policy issues, the team also works closely with regional teams, those focused on mental health and suicide prevention, children's health teams, and others, as required.

Alcohol and gambling have very effective lobbying groups, influencing high levels of media and parliamentary interest, so you will also oversee extensive parliamentary business.

We are looking for someone who can set priorities and work autonomously, establishing themselves as a trusted leaders in these policy areas. As a policy lead, you will influence and engage effectively with colleagues across the department to deliver our policy aims. You should be passionate about the development of everyone in your team and enjoy work that contributes to the future of health and social care.

This is a great opportunity in a stretching Grade 7 role that will allow you to demonstrate and develop your project delivery, leadership, communications, and engagement skills in an important and rewarding work environment.