Job Description

About the Team

Public Health seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of West Sussex residents by understanding and addressing the factors that determine health outcomes. This requires rigorous use of data, intelligence and research evidence.



This role is based within the Public Health and Social Research Unit, a multi-disciplinary team of analysts and researchers that provides the evidence base for strategic decision-making across WSCC and its partners. The Unit leads on several statutory responsibilities, including:


Producing the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) for the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board Providing public health analytical advice and support to the NHS Jointly managing WSCC's Research Governance process

The Opportunity

Salary:

38,580 to 41,084 per annum

Working Pattern:

Part time - 4 days a week (29.6 hours per week)

Contract type:

12-monthFixed term contract -from start date

Location:

Hybrid workingoffice base County Hall, Chichester required 1 day per week

Interview date:

week commencing 19th Jan 2026


This is a senior role, accountable to Public Health and funded through the Public Health Grant, with influence extending across organisational boundaries to inform strategic decision-making. The position places strong emphasis on quantitative analysis while requiring breadth across analytical and research methodologies, candidates will need to demonstrate robust skills in both quantitative and qualitative approaches.



The role has a particular focus on children and young people and addressing health inequalities. You will work closely with senior managers on key programmes including the Healthy Child Programme and the National Child Measurement Programme, providing expert advice on evaluation design, analytical approaches to quantitative and qualitative data, and community engagement.



You will design, deliver, and disseminate high-quality analysis, research, evaluation, and evidence to ensure West Sussex County Council can provide effective services to residents. You will develop and implement strategies that ensure analytical work is meaningful, inclusive, and fully integrated into decision-making processes across the organisation.

What are we looking for?

Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject with a Postgraduate qualification. Advanced knowledge of qualitative and quantitative analysis, evaluation, and information gathering techniques. Highly skilled in using analytical software packages, spreadsheets, databases and statistical methods and (desirable) experience of coding (SQL, R, Python). Practical experience in analysing, interrogating, and interpreting a wide range of highly complex information from a variety of sources and agencies. Experienced and confidence in dealing with people, including the public, service users / carers, and staff, preferably in a supervisory capacity, as well as the ability to establish credibility at all levels of the organisation. Advanced analytical / statistical skills and the ability to translate findings to a range of audiences including non-analytical professionals. The ability to assess and summarise the evidence base when examining population health, including undertaking rapid literature reviews. Considerable experience working in partnership, of networking, and of providing professional advice to a range of staff, including senior staff, and partner organisations. Awareness of the functions and structure of national, local government and NHS and other relevant sectors, and working knowledge of organisational policies, practices and procedures. The ability to design and deliver training, for example on statistics and analytical methodologies. The ability to plan, manage and deliver a range of projects, with competing deadlines. Experience of delivering a professional, high-quality service to clients / service users Experience of working in public health or health care information setting. Experience of designing and delivery training internally, and externally -

Desirable

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the attached.

Working for us

As well as adding real value to our service users and our communities, as an employer we recognise our employees are central in being able to achieve this. To recognise this we want to help support your development and provide a great place to work ensuring you can fulfil your full potential, have access to a range of benefits including:


an excellent local government pension scheme generous holiday entitlement of(plus opportunity to buy additional leave) a range of flexible working options, maternity, paternity, dependency and adoption leave volunteering opportunities training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring health and wellbeing benefits

For a full list this can be found at our

Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is

(CAFHE06085).

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please contact Jacqueline Clay Principal Manager - PH Research Unit

jacqueline.clay@westsussex.gov.uk

For issues or queries regarding your application please contact

hrrecruitment@westsussex.gov.uk

To apply

Please follow the links below to upload your CV and Cover Letter. In your cover letter please outline your motivations for applying and explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role

(please refer to the key skills) ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV.



Please save the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.


Internal candidates wishing to apply for this role will be considered for a secondment position. Please can you therefore discuss and agree this with your manager before applying for this position.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to a DBS check, 3 years referencing and a health check.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.



We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our

application help

page.



LOCATION

Chichester area

CONTRACT TYPE

Fixed Term

JOB TYPE

Public Health

CLOSING DATE

08 January 2026