Fixed Term or Secondment opportunity until 31 March 2020
This is a chance to work in a dynamic team on a high-profile programme of work that aims to change the lives of users of care and health services.
The Better Care Fund (BCF) is the national policy driving integration of health and social care in England, which requires local authorities and NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups to pool budgets and develop joint plans for integration.
The Better Care Support Team (BCST) is a joint initiative between the Department of Health and Social Care, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, NHS England and the Local Government Association (LGA). The team leads a programme of support to local areas when developing and implementing their BCF plans for person-centred health and care services.
As part of the BCST, we are seeking a Strategic Engagement Lead to develop the programme’s partnerships and engagement of national and local stakeholders, helping to strengthen our position as the leading national voice for integration of health and care. To achieve this, you will strategically engage with leading stakeholders in the integration landscape (e.g. integration think tanks, voluntary sector organisations, etc.), by enhancing existing partnerships and identifying and building new ones.
The role involves working within both the BCST at a national level and the integration team in the LGA’s Care and Health Improvement Programme, which delivers bespoke peer-led BCF support programmes on behalf of the BCST, as well as a range of improvement and implementation support to local systems to progress their integration ambitions. The role will be key in strengthening cross-working, partnerships and sharing of learning between these programmes.
We are looking for an individual who is passionate about the difference that integration of health and care can make, proactive in taking forward proposals and responsive to react to changes in the sector. Ability to influence at all levels, tact, diplomacy and tenacity go without saying, as well as knowledge of what makes impactful communications.
You will have significant senior level experience of developing and implementing strategies on stakeholder engagement, as well as knowing what works and why, and be able to take others on this journey with you.
You will also have experience and knowledge of working in the public sector and leadership at managerial levels, ideally having experience of working at a national level and in-depth knowledge of the integration of health and care services.
You will be adept at understanding various policies at both Government and organisation level, using insights from these to identify appropriate stakeholders to drive forward integration.
You will also have strong experience of taking an evidence-based approach to demonstrate impact, using evidence-based narratives that are strategically positioned to influence and shape future policy. This will include supporting the BCST and the LGA to shape BCF policy beyond 2019/20. As such, you’ll have knowledge and experience of developing mechanisms to harvest evidence and good practice examples from stakeholders.
Experience of using digital platforms would be desirable, with knowledge of how these platforms could be used to increase national engagement and foster joint working and shared learning amongst its users.
You will be expected to demonstrate the ability to independently lead programmes, using your initiative to ensure these meet stakeholder expectations. You will understand the importance of service design and be able to bring creativity to this programme.
You will be expected to work four days per week at NHS England’s Skipton House in Elephant and Castle, and one day per week at the LGA’s offices in Smith Square.
For an informal discussion about this role please contact Fiona Russell, Senior Adviser, Care and Health Improvement Programme, by email to fiona.russell@local.gov.uk .
Please note the Job Description is generic, with details of the role outlined above.
Closing Date: 5pm, Wednesday 1 May 2019
Interviews: Thursday 16 May 2019
As a Disability Confident Leader the LGA values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community