Public Health Strategist

In Sutton, there is much for us to be proud of both as a council and as a borough. This includes high levels of resident satisfaction, the quality of our services, our success in addressing our financial challenges to date, the way that we involve and engage with residents on key issues facing the borough, and the enthusiastic and motivated staff that we employ. 

Looking ahead, there are plans for the delivery of new homes and new schools and the London Cancer Hub is being developed, while the Council is also seen as a driving force within the South London Partnership of five outer south west London boroughs focused on strategic growth, regeneration and investment.

All of this demonstrates a good track record and an authority that is ambitious and set to deliver more improvements for the borough. We've set out our vision for the future of Sutton in our corporate plan - Ambitious for Sutton. This strategic plan will shape the outcomes we achieve, the services we provide, and the impact we have on residents, to make Sutton a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Situated in Zone 5, Sutton is less than 30 minutes by train from central London, and south and south west London are easily accessible by public transport. There are 10 train stations which serve key neighbourhoods within the borough providing direct connections to London Victoria, London Bridge, London Blackfriars and St Pancras International. Sutton also has direct rail connections with Epsom, Dorking, Guildford and Horsham, as well as Wimbledon for an interchange with the London Underground and West Croydon for the London Overground. There’s also an extensive road network which provides close and easy access to the M25 and M23.

Public Health Strategist - 18 months fixed term contract

Are you passionate about developing healthy lifestyle programmes that make a difference?

Do you want to play a role in improving health outcomes and addressing inequalities?

If a career in a community centric organisation, with flexible working in a dynamic team is for you, then read on.

Reporting to the Senior Public Health Strategist, we have an opportunity for a Public Health Strategist on an 18 month contract to play a pivotal role in leading a key work stream to establish a systematic approach to the healthy weight programme.  You’ll work closely with a range of partner organisations across the local health and care sector, including primary care networks, to deliver work that supports the improvement of population health, and reduces health inequalities in Sutton. This is an exciting role where you will lead and contribute to a number of projects and programmes that are part of the Sutton Health and Care Plan. 

This role can offer you the opportunity to make a real difference towards removing barriers, and promoting healthier ways of living for the people of Sutton.

The Public Health team in Sutton is a busy and dynamic team and has been at the centre of Sutton's COVID-19 response. We are a forward-looking team with ambitions to significantly improve the health and wellbeing of our borough’s population and reduce health inequalities. 

The Public Health team is part of the wider Public Health and Wellbeing directorate which delivers:

• Children’s Community Health Services: Health Visiting, School Nursing, Child Safeguarding Nurses, Early Intervention (Children’s Centres, Pre-Schools, Play Service)
• Public Health Commissioned Services e.g. Substance Misuse, Sexual Health, NHS Health Checks Quality Assurance Health Service Commissioning 
• Libraries, Culture & Leisure, Transport for Older People, Meals on Wheels, Sutton College, the Social Inclusion Centre and the Life Centre
• Sutton Registration Service
• Accountability for Voluntary and Community Services

To thrive in this role you will be well organised, self-motivated and used to working in a complex and fast changing environment. 

For further information please contact: Robert McGuire robert.mcguire@sutton.gov.uk

To support the team and delivery against our statutory responsibilities, the successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Knowledge of best practice of public health in local contexts
• Awareness of the political, economic, financial and organisational complexities of local government and the NHS
• Ability to undertake robust and accurate quantitative analysis, to analyse the results and to use the findings to develop coherent arguments and proposals
• Ability to work in partnership with other organisations and develop trusting relationships, consolidating different perspectives, identifying areas of mutual interest and agreeing joint objective

In addition, we would expect the successful candidate to demonstrate the following competences (not limited to):

• High level qualification in Public Health or equivalent with strong experience of working within an NHS, local authority or other relevant setting in a public health role
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of conducting health needs assessment through the collation, analysis and interpretation of key public health data, information and evidence
• Experience of undertaking evaluations to effectively measure the outcome and benefit of public health interventions
• Proven experience of managing and planning budgetary expenditure and income
• Understanding of the commissioning process, demonstrated by an ability to describe the complexities of the commissioning cycle and public health’s role within this

As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across - however big or small - will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.

In addition, we offer a modern and flexible working environment for our staff, supported by our IT infrastructure, including Google Chromebooks and Google Apps.

Employees have access to a wide range of benefits, some of which include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time working hours apply)
• Flexi-time (Please note, this applies to roles at grades 1-9 only)
• Comprehensive learning and development programme
• Local and national discounts for shopping, eating out and leisure activities
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Car parking scheme
• Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
• Zip car scheme
• Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses
• Confidential wellbeing and counselling support
• Subsidised gym membership

Please apply online outlining what skills, abilities and experience you can bring which makes you an ideal candidate for this role. Please ensure you refer to the requirements outlined in the job profile when completing your application.

To support our diversity agenda and reduce the risk of bias in our recruitment activities, our short listing process completely anonymises personal information that can identify job applicants e.g. name, title etc. Our hiring managers review and short list applications based on the information provided as part of your application as to how well you meet the requirements and criteria for the role, as outlined in the job profile.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We pride ourselves on being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming Borough and we aim to create a workforce which reflects the community we serve - the key highlights from our recent Equalities Workforce Report can be seen here. We are respectful of difference and realise the positive value of diversity in our workforce. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and disabled candidates, as these groups are currently under-represented in our workforce. As part of our Disability Confident Committed status, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role.

We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, and inclusive staff networks who help drive our diversity agenda.

The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.