Senior Public Health Project Officer (Perinatal Mental Health)

Make a difference to babies, parents, and families across Medway

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Senior Public Health Project Officer to play a key role in improving perinatal mental health outcomes for families across Medway. This is a fantastic opportunity to join our Public Health team and contribute to Medway’s Best Start for Life system, ensuring that every child has the best possible start in life.

Perinatal mental health has a profound impact on long‑term child development and family wellbeing. In Medway, we are committed to delivering an integrated model that strengthens early identification, timely support, and high‑quality interventions for expectant and new parents.

About the role

As our Senior Public Health Project Officer, you will:

• Lead the delivery of evidence‑based perinatal mental health projects as part of Medway’s Best Start in Life System.
• Support the development of an integrated perinatal mental health model across maternity, primary care, Children & Family Hubs and community partners.
• Build strong multi‑agency relationships to ensure seamless referral pathways and equitable access to support.
• Provide specialist advice to professionals and contribute to strategic forums, steering groups and working groups.
• Help design and deliver workforce training to build capacity and confidence across the system.
• Use data and intelligence to shape decisions, evaluate services, and monitor outcomes.

This role combines hands‑on project delivery, partnership working, system leadership and the opportunity to influence real change for families.

About you

We’re looking for someone who can bring:

• Experience working in a public health, early years, community, or mental health setting.
• Strong skills in project management, data interpretation, stakeholder engagement, and report writing.
• The ability to work collaboratively in complex environments and navigate competing priorities.
• A commitment to reducing inequalities and supporting inclusive, person‑centred services.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trust with families and professionals.
• Confidence in delivering training, presentations and facilitating group work.

You’ll also need to be able to travel across Medway and occasionally work evenings or weekends.

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

If you would like more information and an informal chat about the role, please contact Sofie Wheeldon – sofie.wheeldon@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. The salary you will be offered will be at level A. 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.

We are seeking a Senior Public Health Project Officer (Perinatal Mental Health) 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.

Important Information-

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria at level A which are essential for appointment to the role.

• Medway Council is not able to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship, so candidates must already possess the right to work in the UK.

• 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.

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

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.