Senior Wellbeing and Public Health Officer

Senior Wellbeing and Public Health Officer

Fixed Term / Secondment, Full Time

£36,560 to £43,011 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

This is a 12 month fixed term contract or secondment opportunity.

Interviews will be held in person on 25th June 2026.

Job Purpose

This Specialist Wellbeing and Public Health Officer (MSEFT) role will be responsible for the delivery of professional and expert support to the Wellbeing and Public Health work programme working in the setting of the local Acute Trust (MSEFT). The focus will be to improve performance and positive outcomes in relation to the six PH priorities identified in the current Business Plan (smoking, high body mass index, high systolic blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, high fasting blood glucose, alcohol) and tackling inequalities. The post holder will lead on significant programmes of work and will support partner organisations and key stakeholders to deliver new, more flexible, and collaborative approaches to improve the health and wellbeing for the people of Essex.

This role will be responsible for providing leadership across the Acute Trust supporting people with presenting health needs in relation to the priorities identified above.

The role will support and may lead on a range of projects and activities within the overall programme, as well as maintaining Public Health business as usual activity. It will involve some complexity in working to support a number of specific agendas across the acute trust setting.

Accountabilities

• Support managers and partners to ensure that prioritised Public Health activities can be planned, specified and delivered in terms of capacity and capability and delivered to a high standard.
• Build relationships and work in collaboration across the Trust not only to deliver levels of integrated activity, but also to identify any further opportunities and efficiencies across organisations and opportunities to improve systems for the benefit of people with multiple disadvantage.
• Provide subject matter expert advice and guidance as required for specified projects
• Deliver specific projects and activities that further the continuous improvement of high performing, sustainable and cost-effective services or activities and develop cross functional links.
• Support the development of, and use, a range of tools and techniques that ensure activity is consistent, effective and efficient and that an audit trail is maintained.
• Respond quickly to new challenges and opportunities ensuring that risks and opportunities are identified and managed and comply with all external and internal regulation: support responses to calls for contributions to consultation responses.
• Work as part of the Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities Team and as part of the Health and Wellbeing Alliance Teams supporting a flexible and agile approach to delivery of wider Public Health priorities.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
• Provide day-to-day support as part of a matrix managed team for specific pieces of activity – both planned and reactive; for example writing reports or business cases or co-ordinating activities that deliver specific project documentation.

About You

• Professional knowledge acquired through degree, supplemented by specialist training or equivalent by experience.
• Evidence of continuing personal and professional development and good understanding of health and local authority structures, functions and responsibilities.
• Evidence of successfully delivering outcomes and demonstrating breadth of thinking.
• Specialist knowledge of Public Health or related activity service/function area, and programme/project management expertise, in support of senior managers
• Ability to work effectively, communicate clearly and appropriately and to inspire and gain the confidence and participation with a range of internal and external stakeholders and engagement partners. of a wide range of stakeholders.
• Knowledge and experience of all aspects of the commissioning cycle, project life cycle and related activities gained within a commissioning environment.
• Experience of delivery of public services and managing change in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience of working in a political environment, working effectively with members and senior officers across the council and partner agencies.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

To read more about us please visit: Adult Social Care

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you. 

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR)) on our careers site

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email Abbie.Mollison@essex.gov.uk

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