Senior Project Officer (Tobacco Control)

We are seeking a Senior Project Officer (Tobacco Control) 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.

Medway Council is looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Tobacco Control Senior Project Officer to play a key role in advancing tobacco control initiatives across Medway. This position will support the delivery of existing programmes and contribute to the implementation of the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, helping to shape a healthier future for local communities. If you're passionate about public health and ready to make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.

This role is central to developing, delivering, and evaluating public health initiatives aimed at creating a smoke-free generation, with a strong focus on reducing tobacco-related harm, preventing youth vaping, and promoting smoke-free environments. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with key stakeholders including Trading Standards, HMRC, Kent Police, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, and community providers to tackle illicit tobacco, underage sales, and co-create educational resources for young people. The approach is holistic and person-centred, addressing tobacco dependence among associated partners.

The role involves leading the development and delivery of formal presentations and training for both clinical and non-clinical teams, including the Medway Tobacco Control Alliance, regional networks, GPs, and local authority bodies. The postholder will represent the Council at various local, regional, and national meetings and steering groups, both in-person and virtually, to ensure alignment with broader tobacco control strategies and facilitate the sharing of best practices across sectors and regions. This work will be delivered in the context of Medway’s Joint Local Health & Wellbeing Strategy and the Public Health Outcomes Framework, with a strong emphasis on reducing health inequalities and promoting the values and behaviours of the One Medway Council Plan.

The successful candidate will operate within professional and ethical boundaries to advocate for population health and support behaviour change, including oversight of smoking and vaping cessation. They will provide leadership in achieving performance targets, ensuring the systematic recording, monitoring, and quarterly evaluation of outcomes to drive continuous improvement. The role includes working with enforcement partners to address illicit tobacco and vape sales, supporting educational outreach to communities and retailers, and coordinating promotional events in partnership with the Council’s Communications team to enhance public awareness through social media and targeted campaigns. The postholder will also support the implementation of Medway’s action plan to reduce youth vaping and promote smoke-free environments, which may include direct support to service users through community sessions or phone-based interventions.

This full-time role requires the post holder to be based at Gun Wharf, Medway Council Offices, for a minimum of three days per week—specifically Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday—during the probationary period. Following successful completion of this period, the working pattern will shift to a minimum of two days per week in the office, offering greater flexibility while maintaining on-site presence,

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

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting manager, please e-mail Vicky Carter on vicky.carter@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.