London has the potential to become the world’s healthiest global city. The Mayor wants all Londoners to have the best opportunities to live a long life in good health. If we are to achieve this, we all need to play our part in tackling the causes of poor health, and we all need to commit to making London a healthier, fairer city, where nobody’s health suffers because of who they are, or where they live.

We are looking for an outstanding specialist in public health to lead a portfolio of work that improves the health and wellbeing of Londoners, working closely with the GLA Group Director of Public Health and wider team, the Mayor’s Office, Deputy Mayors, as well as senior leaders and managers.  The successful candidate will join the new GLA Group Public Health Unit, established in April 2022 to provide public health advice and support across the GLA family.  The portfolio will be agreed in a job plan, reflecting both strategic priorities and operational demands, and will focus on planning, environment and regeneration.       

This is a critical time, as London recovers from the COVID pandemic and looks forward to building a better London for everyone – a safer, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners.  You will work closely alongside the range of GLA functions, underpinned by the Mayor’s statutory duty to develop a health inequalities strategy for London.  You will further embed a health in all policies approach within the GLA group, contributing to London’s recovery from COVID19 in London, London’s vision for health and care, and reducing inequalities and improving health and wellbeing outcomes for Londoners.

You will provide:

• leadership for the development and implementation of elements of the London health inequalities strategy.
• internal and external public health leadership in specific areas of focus, developing key relationships and networks internally and externally.  
• public health expertise within the GLA group, including leadership for public health specialisms like health intelligence and health improvement.
• support to the delivery of the London Health and Care Vision, taking responsibility for relevant commitments.  

You will deal with complex public health challenges in a multi-agency environment with widely differing governance, finance systems and organisational cultures.  A high level of intellectual rigour, political awareness, negotiation and motivation skills as well as flexibility and sensitivity are required. 

You will inform and support the Mayor, London Assembly and GLA group regarding policy and programmes, Londoner’s care and the wider determinants of health.  A high level of tact, diplomacy and leadership is required, including the ability to work within a complex global city and political environment, and at the same time maintain the ability to challenge and advocate for effective working and on specific issues in order to achieve better public health outcomes for Londoners. 

This job is ‘politically restricted’ under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989

This role will be based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).  GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. 

In addition to a good salary package, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

If you would like to discuss the role, please contact louise.glew@london.gov.uk to make an appointment with Vicky Hobart. GLA Group Director of Public Health. For queries on the recruitment process please email glarecruitment@engageats.co.uk quoting reference GLA3730.

To apply, please visit our website.

Closing date: Sunday 29 May 2022 at 23:59 GMT.

London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.