Partnerships and Engagement Officer

Cardiff and Vale UHB provides services to a population of over 500,000 people. The population of the area is diverse, with lots of opportunity to gain the thoughts, experiences and needs of people from all walks of life.

Meaningful co-production, engagement and consultation with our communities is paramount in ensuring that we get services right, however it is also key to the wellbeing of our population. When this work is done well, regardless of the overall objectives of the activity, it can create conditions where individuals and communities are empowered and make or contribute to decisions that may influence the social, economic, cultural and political determinants of health.

Successful co-production, engagement and consultation requires strong partnerships. We have excellent relationships with partners across Cardiff and The Vale of Glamorgan, particularly through our Regional Partnership Board, Public Services Boards and third sector colleagues in Cardiff Third Sector Council and Glamorgan Voluntary Services. It is important that we utilise these partnerships to ensure that we don’t duplicate our efforts and keep our approaches as efficient as possible.

The post-holder will support the Head of Strategic Partnerships in the provision of partnership and engagement activity within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. They will have responsibility for carrying out engagement activity across all communities in Cardiff and The Vale of Glamorgan and supporting partnership working with the Regional Partnership Board and Public Service Boards.

The post holder will support the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement to share corporate objectives and to actively promote the University Health Board values and services amongst the internal workforce, service users, external partners and stakeholders.

The post-holder will have a vital role in establishing networks engagement opportunities as well as communicating key messages to safeguard the reputation of the University Health Board and partners, limit adverse publicity and promote a positive image to increase public and stakeholder understanding of the University Health Board’s objectives and services.

The post-holder will support any change programmes to existing service provision by the UHB and its partners.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.

Our mission is “Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together”, and our vision is that every person’s chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.

Based with the Strategic Planning Team and reporting to the Head of Strategic Partnership and Engagement, the post holder will have a portfolio of specific responsib ilities to deliver the following:
Work closely with the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement to provide an advisory function to the University Health Board, Senior Leadership Board and Regional Partnership Board and its partners, advising on all aspects of engagement and partnership working.

Work closely with the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement to develop and implement a program of engagement work across the organization, using the organisations “Co-production, Engagement and Consultation” Framework.

Work closely with the Head of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement to offer swift and decisive decision making in relation to leading and responding to any urgent service changes.

Work independently guided by the University Health Board organisational strategies, policies, corporate vision and objectives, advising on how these should be interpreted and implemented across traditional media (local, regional, national and specialist) and new media whilst also ensuring compliance with wider partners policy as appropriate.

Be politically aware and understand the complex NHS and political issues and changing strategic situations.

Build engagement into all long-term strategic planning, advising, influencing and persuading the Executive Team, Board Members, RPB members, PSB members and other senior staff members on appropriate approaches where necessary.

Where necessary, exercise judgment and make significant and informed decis