Service and job specific context statement
Directorate:
Health and Adult Services
Service:
Public Health
Post title:
Health Improvement Practitioner
Grade:
Band 9 and 10
Responsible to:
Health Improvement Manager
Staff managed:
None
Date of issue:
January 2016
Job family:
P&T - Professional & Technical
Job context


This post will support the wider Public Health team to ensure the effective delivery of the portfolio of tasks and
projects planned.
The post holder will be a key member of the Public Health team and will offer support to the team as well as
supporting effective communication and stakeholder engagement, both internally and externally
Job specifics

The post holder will support the Health Improvement Managers and Officers and will take a lead for specific
areas of work as well as contributing to the development and implementation of the public health work
programme to meet local and national targets.
Career progression

This is an entry level post into Public Health and it is hoped the post holder will gain knowledge and experience
to progress within the Public Health field when opportunities become available.
Structure
Health Improvement Manager
Health Improvement Practitioner
Health Improvement Officer
Job Description
Directorate:
Health and Adult Services
Service:
Public Health
Responsible to:
Health Improvement Manager
Staff managed:
None
Job purpose
Operational
management
The post holder will support the Public Health Team and will take a
lead for specific areas of work as well as contribute to the
development and implementation of the public health work
programme to meet local and national targets.







Communications






Partnership /
corporate working




Systems and
information



Contribute to the development and implementation of Public Health strategies,
programmes and action plans, which may include leading on the following areas:
engaging key stakeholders, attending meetings, developing action plans,
coordinating and writing press releases, monitoring programmes.
Lead the monitoring and ensure the delivery of key milestones and key projects
within the Public Health team.
Contribute to the commissioning process which will include leading on; updating
action logs, risk registers, arranging consultation events.
Lead stakeholder engagement and consultation as required.
Lead the development of communication plans.
Contribute to the development of evidenced based programmes.
Have an active role in the effective monitoring, performance management and
evaluation of programmes and contracts.
Develop and maintain public health information and support structures.
Maintain information directories, and data collection systems.
To interpret and understand complex, sensitive information.
Liaise with internal and external partners on Public Health developments and health
improvement programmes.
Lead on the development of internal and external communications where required
by regular contact with the teams, stakeholders and communications team.
Lead on the design and delivery of Public Health campaigns as determined by the
Public Health Communications Plan.
Network with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
Participate and contribute to an internal PH Directorate programme of CPD,
including; PH team time out sessions and team meetings, attendance at regional
and local meetings relevant to the portfolio.
Participate in relevant internal and external working groups/projects, services, and
initiatives.
Attend relevant professional meetings and conferences.
As the post develops increased public health knowledge and skills there will be an
expectation the post holder will lead on needs assessments, audits, evaluations
and monitoring of PH programmes and services.
Contribute to the effectiveness of public health initiatives through the analysis of
data.
Be aware of and support the dissemination of practice developments/research
findings to facilitate evidenced based practice.

Strategic
management



Contribute to the analysis and evaluation of health data and effectiveness of public
health initiatives and programmes.
Plan and organise tasks to support the planning and organising of complex
activities or programmes which may include; engaging a range of appropriate
stakeholders, leading stakeholder engagement sessions.
Organise health improvement events/ co-ordinate and organise multi-agency
groups.
Contribute to the project management of public health programmes.
Person Specification
Essential upon appointment
Desirable on
appointment
Knowledge




Knowledge of public health /health improvement/community development or a
related field, acquired through training, extended courses and experience.
An understanding and knowledge of the wider determinants of health and the
role local government and other agencies play in the health and well-being
agenda
The post holder will have an interest in addressing the wider determinants of
health and knowledge and understanding of the impact local government and
other external agencies can make on health and well-being.
Experience





Experience of supporting the development and delivery of projects and
programmes
Experience of interagency and partnership working
Experience of working with communities and the voluntary sector
Practical experience of using IT systems.
Be able to demonstrate the ability to work autonomously within own levels of
expertise and authority taking responsibility to seek expert advice when
appropriate




Good understanding and
knowledge of national and
local public health agenda
Knowledge of project
management, desirably via
qualification
Degree in a related field
Project support experience
Experience of community
involvement and
engagement
Occupational Skills






Good time management and organisational skills.
Good verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Good report writing skills
Good presentation skills
IT skills and ability to use a range of software packages
Ability to demonstrate a flexible approach to problem solving
Other Requirements


Ability to travel across the County
Ability to work outside of working hours when necessary and by agreement
Behaviours
Link
NB – Assessment criteria for recruitment will be notified separately.
Optional - Statement for recruitment purposes: You should use this information to make the best of your application by identifying
some specific pieces of work you may have undertaken in any of these areas. You will be tested in some or all of the skill specific
areas over the course of the selection process.