UK Health Security Agency
Public Health Project Officer
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London (Canary Wharf)
Job Summary
The postholder will work within the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) Health Security Programme at UKHSA. The programme, which is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through its Overseas Territories Resilient Economies and Security & Stability programme, works collaboratively to strengthen health systems that prevent, detect and respond to health emergencies and threats in the UKOTs. This is achieved through the provision of technical expertise and support across the Public Health field from Health Protection to Health Promotion and Health Intelligence, both for communicable and non-communicable diseases, and other hazards.
The Post Holder Will
- Support the programme to fulfil and facilitate the programme objectives, particularly within the Health Promotion/Resilient Communities activities of the team.
- Provide technical support for work regarding non-communicable diseases, mental health and wellbeing, vulnerable populations and healthy behaviours in the UKOTs.
- Demonstrate highly developed communication skills, be able to work in a team and independently.
- Be able to engage effectively and develop excellent working relationships with a wide range of individuals and stakeholders both internally and externally.
While the post is based in the UK, occasional international travel may be required.
Working for your organisation
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job Description
The role of the Public Health Project Officer covers a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the UKOTs programme objectives, which will typically be high in complexity and working across the UKOTs and with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
Providing direct support to the Public Health Technical Advisor, the Consultant in Global Public Health for Resilient Communities, and other technical leads in the delivery of the UKOTs Programme. You will lead on, and project manage specific strands as directed, working with other members of the team, and building and maintaining relationships with international and UK partners to deliver on the programme.
You will enable the smooth running of the programme by supporting the Public Health Technical Advisor and Consultant in Global Public Health through the operation of programme/project management processes, and the co-ordination of business management actions and activities on their behalf as well as the opportunity to provide technical input to the programme.
The post can be flexibly based but semi-regular attendance at UKHSAs central London office will be required for project meetings. In addition, the post may involve international travel for short durations (typically up to two weeks) to partner countries.
Support to the UKOTs programme, including but not limited to:
- Provide technical advice as appropriate on a range of public health issues, including non-communicable diseases, healthy behaviour, vulnerable populations and mental health & wellbeing, supported by both the public health technical advisor and consultant in public health for Resilient Communities.
- Develop, implement and maintain systems to enable effective planning and scheduling for the Health Promotion/Resilient Communities activities within the UKOTs programme.
- Implement and manage project controls, reporting on the project status by producing project performance reports (internally and externally).
- Manage and monitor compliance of projects in line with UKHSA and ODA guidelines and legislation, including Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity, Security and Safeguarding.
- Support the Public Health Technical Advisor with administrating, supporting and managing meetings involving multiple partners across a range of organisations. Preparing agendas, papers, taking minutes, and writing reports.
- Build and maintain strong professional relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including Chief Medical Officers and Governor’s offices in UKOTs. This will require strong presentation skills, influencing and negotiating skills.
- Manage risks and issues, including strategic risks. Provide regular reporting on risks and escalate as appropriate.
- Provide project support to technical teams in the delivery of their workplans and the wider programme implementation plan.
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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 your line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Master’s degree in Public Health or equivalent experience gained through substantial professional practice in public health, population health, healthcare improvement, or health promotion programmes.
- Experience working on international projects or programmes.
- Demonstrable experience of supporting delivery in a project or programme environment, including planning, scheduling, and adapting to changing priorities.
- Ability to collate, analyse, and interpret financial, service, activity or research data, and translate findings into clear insights for varied audiences.
- Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, community organisations, and delivery partners.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and influence decision-making.
- Knowledge of best practice in community engagement, including co-production and inclusive approaches to improving health outcomes.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, work under pressure, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work autonomously on complex workstreams involving multiple dependencies and stakeholders.
- Working knowledge of project management methodologies and frameworks.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) to support analysis, reporting, and presentation.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of managing risks and issues, and contributing to governance, assurance, and change control processes.
- Knowledge and experience of Project Management Methodology
Salary Information
Alongside your salary of £46,310, UK Health Security Agency contributes £13,416 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
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Selection process details
Stage 1: Application & Sift, Competency Based
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience.
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 12 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 1000 word supporting statement.
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.
Longlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
Master’s degree in Public Health or equivalent experience gained through substantial professional practice in public health, population health, healthcare improvement, or health promotion programmes. Strong knowledge of public health strategy, policy, and evidence, with experience applying evidence to inform implementation and decision-making. Experience working on international projects or programmes.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Competency Based
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Experience, Knowledge And Skills Will Be Tested At Interview
Interviews dates are to be confirmed.
Qualifications And Registrations
For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.
For Fixed Term Posts
If you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term Appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant based outside of UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan,which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per UKHSA’s pay policy.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our core HQ in London (Canary Wharf). We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro
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