Job Description

Medway Public Health are looking to recruit someone who can lead and develop children's preventative health programmes. They will have a focus on the 0-5 age range. With recent announcements from government about the Best Start in Life strategy, the move towards a more community-based health system in the NHS 10-year plan, and Medway's move to be a Marmot City it will be an exciting time to be in this role.


The will tell you about the role; it is an exciting one. You will be joining an established and highly productive team who understand the benefits of collaborative working across organisational boundaries and disciplines. The team have a 'can do' attitude and put the needs of children and their families frontmost. Importantly the team like working together and respect other's expertise. The team deliver some services such as schools lessons, designing nationally recognised PHSE materials, and empowering the wider workforce through training opportunities. The wider Public Health Programmes Team commission services such as Sexual Health, Substance Misuse Treatment and Domestic Abuse support.


Your role will be to commission services such as health visiting and school nursing; develop the department's early years response; and ensure collaboration in all we do. You will be the team's expert on baby / early years child development and will be called on to support any projects that overlap other work areas. You will have plenty of opportunity to work with the Public Health team to take a life course approach to health.


You will use your commissioning skills to commission effective services that deliver value for money. You will use your Public Health skills to ensure that the services provided reduce the chances of ill health among children. You will use your experience of research and report writing to write Health Needs assessments and evaluation of services. You will use your interpersonal skills to work effectively with partners from many different organisations. You will use your organisational skills to keep track of the budget spend and forecast, and you will maintain accurate records of service performance.


In the application form you will be asked to provide us with a Personal Statement of why you think you have the knowledge, skills and experience to really succeed at the role. It helps us make a decision about inviting you to interview if you provide examples that evidence the criteria outlined in the job description. We will be particularly looking out for commissioning, performance management and budgeting experience; partnership and collaboration skills; experience of research, evaluation and report writing; evidence of improving health for children; partnership working across disciplines; evidence-based practice; and obviously extensive knowledge of early years child development.

If you would like more information and an informal chat about the role, please contact Steve Chevis on 07816 590544 / 01634 337265.


Public Health are seeking a Public Health Programme Manager (Early Years Development) to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.


Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.


When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:

Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.


Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.


Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.


Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.