Public Health Communications & Engagement Officer – Public Health

Fixed Term Contract / Secondment until 27 May 2025.

Do you have a passion for tackling health inequalities in London? 

The City and Hackney Public Health team is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated communications and engagement professional, primarily (but not exclusively) to support a high profile programme – Public Health Tackling Racism and Inequality Programme

As Public Health Communications and Engagement Officer, you will be hosted within the Public Health team, but work collaboratively with the London Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH London). You will quickly establish relationships across these teams to ensure shared programme objectives are met. 

You will work closely with external partners across the voluntary, statutory and business sectors, as well as with local residents, to lead the development and implementation of innovative and responsive communications and community engagement activity. You will be the main point of contact for internal and external programme events, including managing promotion material.

About the City and Hackney Public Health

City and Hackney Public Health Service is a vibrant and dedicated team, serving the populations of both Hackney and the City of London and known for being innovative and passionate about improving the health of our local populations. The team is on a journey to transform both authorities to take a ‘Health in All Policies’ approach.

If you would like to find out more information about public health in the City and Hackney, please visit the Hackney and City of London Health and Wellbeing Profiles website at  https://hackneyjsna.org.uk/ and the services recruitment page at https://recruitment.hackney.gov.uk/the-public-health-team/.

The London Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH London)

The London Association of Directors of Public Health represents Directors of Public Health across 33 local authorities, collaborating, providing peer challenge, supporting and advocating for public health priorities. 

ADPH London have developed and published a position statement and action plan on supporting Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities during and beyond COVID-19, highlighting racism as a public health issue, given the immediate and structural factors that have impacted diverse communities. You will be embedded within the City and Hackney Public Health Service, and work closely with programme sponsors, London Directors of Public Health and local partners including London Councils, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England/Improvement London and the Greater London Authority. 

The City of London and London Borough of Hackney

Hackney is one of the UK’s highest performing local authorities, serving one of London’s best places to live and work. Hackney Council has achieved a huge amount in the past decade: our services, our schools, our public spaces are all amongst the very best. We have changed the reputation, not just of the Council, but of Hackney itself. Bringing jobs and investment into the borough, securing the legacy from the 2012 Games, and making Hackney a place of which we can all be proud.

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile, dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK, aiming to contribute to a flourishing society, shape outstanding environments and support a thriving economy.

About the role 

You will be a core member of the programme team and have responsibility for ensuring there is access to the most up-to-date and accurate information relating to relevant areas of Public Health (including national and local resources, in a range of languages and accessible formats). Working with senior internal and external stakeholders, you will support the coordination of messaging, ensuring relevant communications are shared effectively and in a timely manner. You will be required to quickly tailor communications resources in response to regional insights in order to promote key public health messages to our diverse communities. To demonstrate the impact of the programme, you will support the programme manager to gather case studies which show the impact of the work using creative and flexible approaches. You will also be responsible for leading community and stakeholder engagement activities.  

You must have experience of working in a communications and community engagement environment at practitioner level, with a proven track record in designing materials and activities to meet the needs of a wide range of diverse audiences. To meet the changing demands of the role, you will be able to work flexibly, be comfortable working autonomously as well as part of multiple teams, and you will be proficient in managing competing priorities.

If you would like to discuss any elements of the role, please contact Safia Marcano, Safia.Marcano@hackney.gov.uk 

There is no better place to work in London than Hackney; we have great pride in our borough, our communities, and our services. Hackney is one of London’s most vibrant and diverse boroughs. It’s one of the most sought after areas to live in London with good schools, parks and local amenities, as well as great transport links and vibrant and diverse communities.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

The recruitment process is anonymous. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CVs.

When applying, there will be a number of questions relating to the post on the application form. It is essential that you complete the application questions, responding to each using examples of your skills, knowledge and experience.

We will not accept applications where Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used to assist with completing the competency questions or any part of the application form.

This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 10 December 2023 (22.59)

Interview date: 9,10,11 Janaury 2023

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk