Senior Public Health Support Officer

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional working in Public Health 22.50 hours per week working Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to provide senior cover within the team. We are looking for an enthusiastic, innovative and self-motivated individual to lead on the delivery of key workstreams and responsibilities to support public health work across areas including Drugs & Alcohol, Healthy Living, Public Mental Health, Children & Families, Health Protection, Health Inequalities, Ageing Well, Long Term Conditions and Cancer. The successful candidate will work with colleagues in public health, across the council and with range of external partners to provide strategic and operational leadership and management to public health systems and processes. They will provide advice, forward planning and strategic support to colleagues across the function and will be responsible for effectively managing and supporting specific public health programmes which underpin the function including leadership, management and co-ordination of high value external grants, finance, recruitment, health safety and risk assessments and risk registers, contract and service level agreement co-ordination and assurance, records management/Information assets, providing value for money solutions which meet public health grant conditions and the councils financial challenge. The role will include leadership and management of staff and workstreams, it will support and deputise for the Public Health Manager to ensure effective and successful delivery of operational functions and development of team and work programmes. This is a demanding and interesting role where you will be required to work autonomously and provide an excellent service to the public health function, across the Council, and across a range of partners including 3rd sector partners, the NHS including OHID, DHSC, local and regional ICBs and General Practice. The successful applicant will have significant knowledge and experience of managing public health services, finance and contract procedure rules and processes, Department of Health grant conditions and reports, recruitment processes and guidance, as well as the ability to support the development and implementation of a range of processes and policies. They will have the ability to create robust forward plans, manage conflict, challenge existing ways of working, and resolve issues and to ensure Council values are embedded within in team and our work. Candidates will also need to demonstrate experience of partnership working with external organisations including the NHS and third sector and service improvement activity including performance management and improving outcomes whilst achieving value for money and remaining within budget., To support the delivery of specific programmes and responsibilities within the Public Health function. Providing support and expertise, demonstrating an understanding of its strategic, operational and practical functions and providing a high level of experience contributing towards Best Council values. Including high level support to the Director of Public Health, Health Protection & Sexual Health, Healthy Living & Public Mental Health, Children & Families, Health Inequalities, Ageing Well, Long Term Conditions & Cancer, Drugs, Alcohol & Safer Communities, Localities & Primary Care public health programmes. The role will provide senior operational management and leadership to a range of Public Health Programmes including finance, recruitment, communications, local risk registers and risk assessments, public health contracts co-ordination and records management. It will provide practical advice and strategic support to colleagues across the function and is responsible for the effective delivery of Public Health systems and processes providing effective, efficient and value for money solutions which meet the Public Health agenda. The role will include leadership and management to staff and functions within the Public Health support team. The post holder will provide support to the Public Health Manager and will deputise for this role. Supporting efficient, effective and successful delivery of programmes and a high level of communication with internal and external partners at all levels. The role will work closely with colleagues across the Council and the Public Health function to ensure policies and procedures are followed including contract procedure rules, financial procedure rules, adhering to external grant conditions and reporting, approving orders and recharges, contracts and procurements are assured, adhearance to risk, health and safety and recruitment requirements and protocols. The role will work to ensure that the Public Health function has robust systems and processes and forward plans in place for key areas including Executive member briefings, DDP and Public Health Programme Board, and will provide proactive support, advice and co-ordination of all activity, issues, queries and questions on these specialist areas. Responsibilities

• To provide specialist support, advice and co-ordination to the Public Health function to develop and deliver priorities across a range of Public Health areas including records management, forward planning, finance, recruitment, contracts, risk management and health and safety etc.
• Manage the co-ordination and links to LCC colleagues on all Public Health programmes ensuring relevant documentation including writing and developing governance reports ensuring all required documentation is provided and stored centrally and available for audit purposes.
• Responsibility for overseeing the management and development of the local financial, staffing and public health risk registers, records management and FOI processes, to ensure there is a proactive and systematic process working to the Council's requirements for data protection.
• Responsibility for providing a high level support to ensure relevant and robust forward plans are in place for Executive member briefings, Public Health Programme Board and DDP. To ensure Public Health Leadership Team have relevant reports and information well in advance of these meetings.
• To be an integral support to Public Health to develop informative, accurate and creative communications including staff information bulletins, to co-ordinate communication to ensure processes are followed and engagement with a range of internal and external partners.
• Analysing complex risk and financial activity data and provide determination and innovation to seek solutions to any issues raised. Providing reports required by external partners adhering to conditions set out.
• To manage the development of quarterly and annual reports on a range of Public Health core functions. Including advice and support to the development of governance reports, executive member briefings and to co-ordinate on behalf of the Public Health function.
• Responsibility for robust forward planning for key areas of the Public Health function including Public Health Programme Board, Delegated Decision Panel and Executive member briefings.
• To build and strengthen links with key services across the Council including finance, PACS, Legal, commissioning, recruitment, HR, BSC etc. building strong relationships and approaches in order to be fully up to date with relevant procedures, processes and systems. To keep abreast of new legislation, Government policy, best practice and external factors relevant to Public Health.
• Provide advice, guidance, and support to colleagues enabling the resolution of complex issues using the appropriate procedures and frameworks. Develop and maintain strong relationships with relevant departments including Finance, HR, PACS, Commissioning, Recruitment and BSC to achieve positive outcomes in line with Public Health objectives.
• Manage and undertake the research and analysis required to identify need; and support the development of new and innovative practices. Take the lead in developing and maintaining new quality systems as required.
• Support and guide the development and delivery of appropriate Public Health solutions and systems which support efficient and effective delivery of outcomes, targets and objectives in line with service, city and council plans and priorities.
• Support and direct colleagues across the Public Health function in managing change, in a positive and engaging way that delivers sustained benefits and improvements.
• Responsible for the line management of senior staff including appraisals, personal development planning, well-being of staff, sickness absence and disciplinary.
• Support the delivery of key areas of work within the Public Health team, ensuring that strategic priorities are delivered successfully to a high standard.
• Responsibility for the development and support of the team, ensuring regular team development sessions which will focus on their development, well-being and support.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post., Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards 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.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  To be considered for this Senior Public Health Support Officer role you will need to have:
• Educated to degree level or relevant significant experience in a Public Health service setting.
• To have significant knowledge and experience of Public Health systems and processes including financial and contract procedure rules and recruitment processes that are used in the Public Health service.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and workloads and respond to changing needs in a complex and rapidly changing environment.
• Experience of working with NHS organisations such as Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Integrated Commissioning Boards, Leeds Community Healthcare, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and General Practice.
• Experience of working with NHS organisations such as Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Integrated Commissioning Boards, Leeds Community Healthcare, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and General Practice.
• Significant experience of working in a busy work environment in a Public Health service role., Educated to degree level or relevant significant experience in a Public Health service setting
• Completed the Public Health Advanced Health and Wellbeing Training
• Ability to operate in a project environment, project management skills attained through qualification or experience
• Very strong IT sills - Microsoft, Excel, internet, and email
Skills:
• Line Management and programme management skills and experience at a senior level in order to manage senior staff.
• Ability to write reports and communicate in a Public Health and business context, adapting style as appropriate to ensure engagement by others for different audiences.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and workloads and respond to changing needs in a complex and rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to organise, prioritise and meet tight deadlines, challenging ways of working.
Knowledge:
• To have significant knowledge and experience of Public Health systems and processes including financial and contract procedure rules and recruitment processes that are used in the Public Health service.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the council's Constitution and Governance framework in relation to Public Health.
• High degree of personal integrity with an understanding of fairness and equality of opportunity and diversity in the workplace.
• Understanding of how to engage appropriate stakeholders in undertaking your role as a Public Health professional with the ability to work across a variety of organisations and sectors including other Local Authorities, NHS (OHID, ICB, DHSC, LTHT, LCH), 3^rd Sector and a range of other providers.
• Knowledge of the Council's FOI process/working with DPFOI.
Experience:
• Possess an insight and significant experience of a range of Public Health support services including finance, contracts, communications, recruitment and HR.
• Experience of working with Public Health programmes including Sexual Health, Drugs and Alcohol and NHS Health Checks.
• Experience of working with NHS organisations such as Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, Integrated Commissioning Boards, Leeds Community Healthcare, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, General Practice and Pharmacies
• Experience of LCC recruitment systems and procedures.
• Ability to manage and monitor a range of systems and processes with experience and understanding of the Council's Financial Procedure Rules and Contracts Procedure Rules and recruitment processes and how this aligns with our Public Health processes.
• Experience of working with the Councils Financial Management system and specifically the Public Health financial systems.
• Experience of working on Public Health service improvement activity that improves service quality and value for money, where necessary identify cost improvements.
• Significant experience of working in a busy work environment in a Public Health service role.
• Ability to plan, organise and co-ordinate a range of important Public health meetings and boards.
• Ability to effectively delegate across all levels and be an outstanding team player., PERSONAL SPECIFICATION DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
• Knowledge of the Councils PALs and SAP systems
  
  Our ambition is for Leeds to be the best city in the UK; one that is compassionate and caring, with a strong economy, tackling poverty and reducing inequalities. We want to be a healthy city for all ages, where people who are the poorest improve their health the fastest. Leeds Public Health plays a major part in delivering this vision as part of the highly collaborative approach of 'Team Leeds', and we have the ideal partners and assets in Leeds to succeed., Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
  
  A 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 (please note that you will be required to spend regular time in the office in addition to home working)
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further