Fixed term / Secondment opportunity for 6 months
About us
We are a politically led, cross-party organisation that works on behalf of councils to ensure local government has a strong, credible voice with national government. We aim to influence and set the political agenda on the issues that matter to councils, so they are able to deliver local solutions to national problems
To find out more information about what it’s like to work at the LGA, please visit http://www.local.gov.uk/benefits-and-working-lga and for information on Equality and Diversity at the LGA, please visit https://www.local.gov.uk/equality-and-diversity-lga
The role
The Local Government Association (LGA) is urgently seeking to recruit on a temporary basis a new role of National Public Health Adviser within the Demand Team of NHSE/I’s Covid-19 Vaccination Deployment Programme (VDP). The role will be the nominated professional lead for public health within the VDP and participate in the senior leadership governance of the Demand Team as well as report into LGA governance structures through the CHIP Team. The National Public Health Adviser will also work alongside the governance of the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH).
The role will primarily support achievement of the objective of encouraging and stimulating demand, and therefore uptake of the vaccination, across all cohorts and populations to ensure that the VDP reaches its vaccination targets, working closely with the Demand Team’s workstreams of communications, equality and data & delivery.
Commencing from 1 January 2022 for 6 months with potential for extension through to September 2023 if the continuation of support is required. Ability to start earlier would be welcomed.
We can explore opportunities for secondment or fixed term contract.
The purpose is to achieve the objective of encouraging and stimulating demand for uptake of the vaccination across all cohorts and populations by facilitating and supporting greater engagement between local government and the VDP. This will include developing understanding of the role of local government and its potential within the programme, and to support a clearer role in supporting the delivery of Phase 3 and next steps, including embedding Covid-19 vaccinations into a new business as usual as and when guidelines and policy are produced to guide this. Key to the success of the engagement programme will be the development and dissemination of guidance and templates, including working closely with the communication teams in the VDP, LGA and ADPH.
The post will report into Director of Health & Wellbeing Systems Improvement within the Care & Health Improvement Programme (CHIP) at the LGA and into the Demand Team of NHSE&I.
The post holder will need to be adept at engaging with key local, regional, and national stakeholders quickly on a day-to-day basis and respond effectively to any operational issues that arise. The successful candidate will need to hit the ground running, therefore demonstrable knowledge, and experience of working within complex local and regional systems is key, as well as the ability to effectively communicate and engage with others.
The Local Government Vaccine Engagement Programme would seek to achieve the following main objectives to support the deployment of Phase 1, 2 and 3 of the VDP:
a. Contributing to an effective delivery model tailored to local community needs and in which place features more overtly
b. A clearer voice of, and more opportunities for engagement with, council Chief Executives and Directors of Public Health, Directors of Adult Social Care, Directors of Children’s Services, and care providers
c. Stronger local engagement and insight to encourage vaccine uptake of eligible individuals in phases 1 & 2 who are yet to take up the offer of a Covid-19 vaccine
d. Support the programme with the successful delivery of Phase 3 and work with the programme and other necessary stakeholders to embed covid-19 vaccinations into business as usual in the longer-term
e. Supporting the uptake of vaccination of eligible children and young people, and in the social care workforce; as well as uptake of underserved groups to reduce inequalities through the Evergreen offer
f. Use LGA and Association of Directors of Public Health resources and expertise to support evaluation, the exchange of learning, good practice and emerging ideas which improve impact for residents and communities
g. Providing improved communications between the national programme and local authorities and their communications teams
h. Contribute to and influence NHSEI strategies and policies including the transition to business as usual
The requirements
Applicants will be able to demonstrate:
• Credible sector leadership with excellent influencing/negotiating skills
• Experience of delivering rapid improvement at a local or national level
• Significant experience of delivery through partnership working
• Extensive understanding of local government, public health or community engagement
• Excellent analytical and communication skills with the ability to deliver complex messages to a variety of audiences
You must have the right to work in the UK, the LGA are unfortunately unable to offer sponsorship visas. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage.
Closing date: 5pm, Wednesday 1 December 2021
Interview dates: W/C Monday 6 December 2021
If you wish to discuss this role please contact:
Andrew Hughes, andrew.hughes@local.gov.uk
As a Disability Confident Leader, the LGA values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community