Clinical advisor - alcohol

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 .
Appointment
a) This post is for an alcohol clinical advisor employed by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), DHSC.
b) Candidates who wish to work flexibly will be considered.
c) A detailed job plan will be agreed between the post holder and the Head of Alcohol and Gambling., This is a senior role within OHID, and the post holder will have responsibility for providing specialist clinical and policy leadership in the area of alcohol policy.
The job purpose is to provide specialist clinical and academic advice and leadership to central government, to drive improvements in health outcomes and reduction in health inequalities based on evidence and cost-effectiveness.
The job requires extensive specialist alcohol expertise, including up to date knowledge of research and evidence-based practice. The role includes providing expert clinical and academic advice on interventions to the alcohol team, providing leadership for their programmes and projects and advising on delivery of primary and secondary prevention interventions.

Person specification
Role responsibilities:
+ Play a lead role in developing national policy, strategy and programmes to reduce alcohol related harms, providing expert evidence-based clinical advice, particularly on preventative interventions, advice and knowledge of alcohol treatment system and current evidence base.
+ Use advanced analytical skills to support development of expert advice, briefings and guidance on prevention and early intervention in relation to alcohol.
+ Provide leadership on managing and communicating about alcohol evidence within government and to the wider system.
+ Provide and interpret data, information and advice on evidence of best practice, effectiveness and the cost-effectiveness of interventions.
+ Draw on positive relations and discussions with stakeholder networks to inform policy and implementation Actively participate in and disseminate professional experiences/lessons learned through reports, internal and external presentations, electronic media, publications and participation in working groups.
+ Participate in national research projects, working together with other Directorates and Academic centres.
+ Inducting, mentoring and capacity building with the alcohol team.
+ The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by and at the request of the Head of Alcohol and Gambling.
+ The job description and person specification may be reviewed in accordance with the changing needs of DHSC., A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DHSC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Terms and Conditions
Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
New Entrants to the Civil Service
New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:
+ Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
+ Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
+ Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
+ Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
+ Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
+ Probation: 6 month probation period
Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion
All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion
If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

+ A medical qualification, relevant professional registration and extensive experience of alcohol clinical practice, specialising in prevention and early intervention.
+ Academic affiliation and/or strong research track record evident through scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc.
+ Substantially numerate, with analytical skills using qualitative and quantitative data.
+ Knowledge of methods of developing academic quality assurance, quality improvement and evidence based best practice in evidence development and evidence synthesis.
+ Experience of communicating complex clinical information to people from a wide range of professional backgrounds with different knowledge levels.
+ Extensive specialist knowledge of epidemiology of alcohol use, including evidence in relation to population level prevalence of alcohol consumption and harms.
+ Up to date knowledge of specialist research and evidence- based interventions for prevention of alcohol related harms
+ Experience of working in complex political and social environments, with extensive knowledge of and experiencing working in the development and implementation of alcohol policy.
+ Full understanding of and commitment to delivery of improved outcomes for alcohol related harms and partnership working with stakeholders contributing to reducing alcohol related harms.
Desirable:
+ Knowledge of liver health and conditions linked to alcohol use.
+ Experience of collaboration with a wide range of national and local organisations at a senior level., Must be a medical doctor.

Alongside your salary of £68,503, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £19,845 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration, and enhancing team working, learning, and support.
You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.
There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.