Assistant Director

Job summary The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. It is a well‑established team, with strong links across council departments, joined‑up working with the NHS and excellent partnerships with the community and voluntary sectors. We work as part of the London and the South‑East London public health systems, the South East London ICAS and are actively engaged in work across borough boundaries  London‑wide. About us Greenwich is a great place to work. A London borough of culture and diversity, Greenwich hosts the O2 arena, the Royal Park, the Royal Observatory, the Cutty Sark and the Royal Naval College. It is also a place with significant social, economic and health inequalities; the council and its partners are determined to address these as our strategic priorities. Pay scheme Other Salary £96,049 to £107,175 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full‑time Reference number F0080‑TP917478 Job locations The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, Woolwich, London, SE18 6HQ Job description We are seeking to appoint a public health professional to provide leadership to a range of critical public health and directorate‑wide functions. The post will be well supported by teams of experienced specialists. You will have strategic lead for a range of health improvement functions, including health in all policies, food, physical activity, tobacco, drugs, alcohol and gambling. Your teams will provide expert input into the commissioning team and will work closely with other council departments to make a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of local people. Main duties include: Leading and developing cross‑agency strategic plans to improve health and tackle health inequalities, addressing national priorities such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, food and health, physical activity, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, gambling, health inequalities and service improvement. Lead on strategic groups that coordinate these priority areas within the Boroughs Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the council’s Corporate Plan. Ensuring specialist subject lead staff provide expert advice and input into the commissioning of related public health services, pathway development and quality improvement activity. Playing a lead role in the evolution of the department and wider council neighbourhood development and engagement approach, focusing on health in all policies within a social model of health and wellbeing. Overseeing coordination with children’s services and adult services, and taking a lead role in the department’s contribution to the cost of living crisis and the Greenwich Supports programme. Supporting the Director of Public Health in ensuring the effective operation of the Health and Wellbeing Board and its engagement with the local population and strategic partners. Liaising with the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services, other lead Members and the Leader of the council as required by the Director of Public Health; providing written and verbal briefings and responding to member‑led strategy and enquiries. Deputising for the Director of Public Health and the Director of Health and Adult Services as required, representing senior colleagues and the directorate at Greenwich Management Team level, and at national level through the ADPH and ADASS networks. Taking a London‑wide leadership role for specific pan‑borough programmes of work relevant to your expertise (e.g. tobacco, food & health, physical activity, health in all policies); acting as a consultant/AD member of the London ADPH professional network. Providing supervision and support for public health and GP registrars on placement within the department, helping them develop skills and competence in public health and managing their work programmes. Contributing to the interpretation of monitoring and surveillance data; advising on priorities and securing evidence‑based interventions and service improvements to address local priorities. Supporting the Director in providing expert public health input within the local authority and with partner agencies, presenting to meetings and attending ICAS and council committees as required. Professionally responsible to the Director of Public Health; professional appraisal required in line with Faculty of Public Health requirements. Supporting surge capacity requirements relating to communicable disease control / health protection as requested by UKHSA. Supervising specialist registrars in Public Health Medicine, Public Health Specialist trainees and other expert staff teams. Participating in the organisation’s staff appraisal scheme and departmental audit processes, ensuring appropriate appraisal and development of staff / trainees under your responsibility. Actively contributing to the training programme for Foundation Year Doctors/SHOs/Specialist Registrars in Public Health Medicine and Public Health Specialist trainees, and to the training of practitioners and primary care professionals locally. Pursuing a programme of CPD/CME in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognised body, undertaking revalidation via an enhanced appraisal process (for doctors) and other measures required to remain on the appropriate professional register. Undertaking all duties with due regard to health and safety regulations, GDPR, the council’s Equal Opportunities and Customer Care policies and the staff values of improving residents’ lives and opportunities, demonstrating respect and fairness, working for better outcomes and collaboration. Ensuring appropriate levels of emergency planning and business continuity management preparedness and briefing teams on their roles in an emergency. Being responsible for employee investigations, hearings and appeals in line with RBG policies and procedures. Providing mentoring opportunities to junior staff (e.g. graduates, apprentices). This post does not require a DBS. Staff may be required to undertake alternative, additional or ancillary duties or transfer to other departments as directed in a crisis or emergency. Person specification Knowledge/skills/personal qualities - Essential In‑depth understanding of the health and care system and relationships with local and national government. In‑depth knowledge of methods for developing clinical quality assurance, quality improvement, evaluations and evidence‑based public health practice. Strong and demonstrable understanding of interfaces between health, social care and key partners. Understanding of the public sector duty and inequality duty and their application to public health practice. Strategic thinker with proven leadership skills and operational nous. Ability to motivate organisations to improve public health and wellbeing through mainstream activities and resources. Ability to lead and manage responses in unplanned and unforeseen circumstances. Analytical skills, utilising qualitative and quantitative information (including health economics). Ability to design, develop, interpret and implement strategies and policies. Ability to influence senior members, including directors and CEOs. Ability to lead teams and contribute effectively to teams led by junior colleagues. Commitment to work within a political system irrespective of personal political affiliations. Experience - Essential Delivery of successful change management programmes across organisational boundaries. Experience of using complex information to explain public health issues to a range of audiences. Desirable Media experience demonstrating delivery of effective health behaviour or health promotion messages. Qualifications - Essential NHS (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations 1996 (legislation.gov.uk). In line with legislation, inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a licence to practise (or GDC Specialist List) or inclusion in the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists at the point of application. If listed in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List in another specialty, equivalent training or experience of public health practice required. Public health speciality registrars not yet on the GMC Specialist Register, UKPHR register or GDC Specialist List for dental public health must provide verifiable evidence of being within six months of gaining entry to a register at interview. UK‑trained Public Health applicants must also hold a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or be within six months of award of CCT; non‑UK‑trained applicants must show equivalence to UK CCT. Minimum CPD requirements must be met in line with Faculty of Public Health or other recognised body. MFPH by examination, exemption or assessment, or equivalent. Desirable Masters in Public Health or equivalent. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website. Employer details Royal Borough of Greenwich The Woolwich Centre, 35 Wellington Street, Woolwich, London, SE18 6HQ Employer's website https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/ #J-18808-Ljbffr