Health Improvement Project Officer – Healthy Families and Best Start in Life

6-month fixed term contact - This opportunity is currently being offered on a fixed term contract basis of 6months; however, if budgets allow the contract length may be extended and/or become permanent, though this is not guaranteed. If an internal council employee wishes to apply for this role, a secondment opportunity may be considered (please state this on your application).

We are seeking a Health Improvement Project Officer (Healthy Families & Best Start in Life) to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

According to the World Health Organisation, the life course approach aims to identify opportunities to minimise risk factors and enhance protective factors through evidence-based interventions at important life stages. For the Healthy Families workstream this informs the support we deliver from the antenatal period through to early childhood – the first 1001 days.

This role will actively support, monitor and review a range of projects delivering healthier outcomes for both pregnant people and their families. This will include providing expertise, advice and assistance, as required, to ensure effective project implementation in line with budgets and timescales.

Collaboration and Partnership working are key to reduce gaps in services, prevent duplication of effort and ensure a continuous robust pathway between services. A key focus for this role is to identify opportunities for collaboration, evaluate the impact on pathways and deliver projects to enhance those links.

The post holder will be required to focus on services delivered as part of the Family Hub / Best Start in Life programme but is likely to include other subject areas commissioned or delivered by Public Health as directed by the Senior Public Health Manager. Robust pathways between services and improved client journey should be the aim of all collaborative working.

The post holder will work with professionals and organisations to evaluate and improve those pathways. This means building strong links with managers, clinicians and other practitioners across a range of sectors including commissioned services, private sector early years settings, third sector and statutory organisations such as Children’s Social Care.

The Postholder will develop strong working relationships with the Parent Carer panel, the Parent Carer Forum, and other parents. They will actively seek views from a diverse group of people that is representative of Medway’s Population. The work the post holder will enable commissioners and system partners to have a good understanding of barriers and opportunities within the system and enable them to commission evidence-based and effective services.

The role will be required to work in the context of Medway’s ‘Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy’ and the Public Health Outcomes Framework to reduce health inequalities

The role will involve liaising with influential stakeholders in a way that promotes the vision and values of the Council.

The successful post holder will be subject to an Enhanced Adults DBS check.

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please e-mail Emma Dawson on emma.dawson@medway.gov.uk

Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.

When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.

Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.

Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.