The Public Health Department is a progressive multi-disciplinary department committed to improving health and tackling inequalities in West Sussex within the Directorate of Public Health, Health and Social Care Commissioning. We are looking for highly motivated people to join our team.

The Public Health Research Unit is responsible for the evidence base that underpins strategic decision-making in WSCC and its partners. It leads on a number of statutory responsibilities, including the production of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment on behalf of the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board, providing PH analytical support to the local CCGs and managing the WSCC’s Research Governance process.

This unit was formed bringing together existing staff in the local authority, including staff from the social research unit, with NHS Public Health intelligence staff. The transition of Public Health from the NHS to WSCC has provided a good opportunity to bring skills and knowledge together, anticipating the need for closer integration of health and social care and the opportunities provided by Public Health returning to the local authority and tackling the wider determinants of health. The resultant unit has staff highly experienced in both qualitative and quantitative research methods and while staff have specific duties/areas of work, the benefit of this unit is the mix of skills and a highly collaborative way of working.

In this role you will manage key functions within the Unit to improve the use and quality of evidence. You will lead on developing and disseminating the JSNA on behalf of the Health and Wellbeing Board and will have excellent presentation and communication skills. You will have high level technical skills in health intelligence and critical appraisal, considerable experience of working in a health and social care environment, good knowledge of data sources, and will be able to provide professional support for a team of highly trained analysts and reviewers. The successful candidate will already have a relevant qualification at Masters level (or equivalent), and if they are not already registered Public Health Practitioners they will be supported to work towards registration. You will be part of the Departmental management team.

Salary £46,535-£49,283
Permanent, Full time
37 hours per week
Based in Chichester
Interview date: W/C 8th December 2014

This position is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly Criminal Records Bureau check)