Local Authority Research Practitioner - #1795708

Job Title: Local Authority Research Practitioner

Salary: PO6 *GBP*49,764 - *GBP*52,805 pro rata

Hours: 30

Contract: 24 months (temporary)

Location: Merrion House (hybrid working)

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Leeds Public Health.

Our ambition is for Leeds to be the best city in the UK; one that is compassionate and caring, with a strong economy, tackling poverty and reducing inequalities. We want to be a healthy city for all ages, where people who are the poorest improve their health the fastest. Leeds Public Health plays a major part in delivering this vision as part of the highly collaborative approach of Team Leeds and we have the ideal partners and assets in Leeds to succeed.

About You

To be considered for this Local Authority Research Practitioner role you will need to have:

• An undergraduate degree
• A Masters degree relevant to public health, health promotion, epidemiology or social sciences*
• Considerable experience of conducting research relevant to public health
• Effective leadership skills across a broad programme of work
• Ability to design, implement, interpret and communicate public health research
• A strong commitment to addressing health inequalities
• Please note we are aware Masters degrees relevant to public health may have different titles. If you are unsure if your Masters is eligible please contact the recruiting officer to discuss.
  
  
  

About The Role

The Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) is an exciting new opportunity to provide leadership on research for Public Health in Leeds City Council.

This new role will support the Public Health function, wider local authority and partners to improve health and reduce health inequalities through decision-making that is grounded in robust evidence.

Leeds City Council has been awarded funding by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) for the LARP role. The successful candidate will join a growing network of Local Authority Research Practitioners in Local Authorities across the country.

The Local Authority Research Practitioner will champion research within Public Health and the Local Authority. You will be joining the Public Health team in Leeds City Council and work with colleagues on topics from public health services to wider determinants of health. You will inspire and support colleagues to understand and use research evidence and develop ideas, infrastructure and academic partnerships for future research. You will be committed to involving the public and communities and the importance of research ethics. You will build partnerships, connect with existing networks and work closely with academic partners, universities and wider partners in the city.

This is a unique opportunity for someone who is passionate about the role of research in improving health and reducing health inequalities in Leeds.

Initial priorities will be:

• Providing expertise and championing research for Public Health.
• Building capacity and capability within the Local Authority to contribute towards research and the broader public health agenda.
• Supporting a culture and infrastructure for research in the Council.
• Building research partnerships and connecting with academic networks.
• Forging strategic alliances and effective partnerships for public health research.
• Identifying and supporting public health research funding applications with academic partners.
  
  
  

Please note that this Public Health post is subject to hybrid working arrangements and you will therefore be required to spend regular time in the workplace in addition to home working.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements (please note that you will be required to spend regular time in the office in addition to home working)
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
  
  
  

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions .

How To Apply

Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an i nformal chat about the role please contact Pippa Bird, Chief Officer/Consultant in Public Health on 0113 378 2559 or [email protected] .

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying.To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least *GBP*38,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To strategically lead on research for Public Health in the Local Authority, improving health and reducing health inequalities through decision-making that is grounded in robust evidence. This will be achieved through:

• Providing expertise and championing research for Public Health.
• Building capacity and capability within the Local Authority to contribute towards research and the broader public health agenda.
• Supporting a culture and infrastructure for research in the Council.
• Building research partnerships and connecting with academic networks.
• Forging strategic alliances and effective partnerships for public health research.
• Identifying and supporting public health research funding applications with academic partners.
  
  
  

Responsibilities

• Lead for Public Health in research.
• Act as a point of advice and guidance on research for public health
• Review, update and share a mapping of current Public Health research activity
• Identify further Public Health team research priorities
• Lead in preparing material for publication, conferences and dissemination
• Identify research on priority public health topics, summarise and interpret for the Leeds context
• Identify current infrastructure and opportunities for Public Involvement and Community Engagement (PICE) and research inclusion, identify gaps and scope additional approaches needed to ensure communities are involved in research
• Identify good practice for research governance, data protection and good ethical principles in Local Authorities and take part in wider council meetings on research
• Identify and build links with key research partners across the council, universities, NHS, commissioned services and VCS
• Connect with existing research and academic networks in Leeds, regionally and nationally
• Contribute to the sharing of best practice as part of a Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) network and link with Public Health Engagement Leads (PHELs)
• Proactively identify and share relevant external research funding opportunities
• Develop collaborative public health research funding applications with partners in the council, universities, NHS, commissioned services, VCS, and communities
• Maintain an appropriate level of IT and analytical skills
• Provide effective communication of public health research information to a wide range of stakeholders. This will involve reframing complex data and information into clear and understandable formats appropriate to the target audience.
• Contribute to shared learning and dissemination of good practice, working in collaboration with colleagues throughout the Leeds health economy.
• Responsible for the recruitment and selection, appraisal, development, leadership and co-ordination of a group of public health staff.
• Authorised signatory and budget holder. Monitor or contribute to the formulation of department budgets and financial initiatives as required by Director of Public Health.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
  
  
  

Relationships

Local

• Leeds City Council staff
• Elected members
• Leeds Universities
• Leeds Office of the Integrated Care Board
• GP practices
• Other independent contractors in Leeds
• Local residents and communities
• Voluntary Community and Faith Sectors
• NHS Provider Trusts
• Local Media
  
  
  

Sub-Regional/Regional

• Other academic institutes across the region
• UK Health Security Agency Yorkshire and the Humber
• Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in Yorkshire and the Humber
• NHS England West Yorkshire Area Team
  
  
  

National/International

• Other academic institutes nationally
• National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
• Local Authority Research Practitioners and other research networks
• Department of Health and Social Care
• UK Health Security Agency
• Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
• NHS England
• Faculty of Public Health
• World Health Organisation
  
  
  

Communicates and has contact with:

• Other NHS organisations and Public Health Teams within North of England
  
  
  

Qualifications

• Degree
• Masters degree relevant to public health, health promotion, epidemiology or social sciences
  
  
  

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills Required

• Strong IT skills Microsoft, internet and e-mail.
  
  
  

Research for public health

• Skills in designing, implementing and interpreting public health research
• Ability to provide highly specialised advice and expertise on public health research
• Ability to involve the public and engage with communities on research
• Ability to plan research ethics and ethical approval
  
  
  

Assessing the Evidence

• Ability to analyse, synthesise and present knowledge and information about complex subjects and concepts to influence key decisions
• Ability to search effectively, collate and assimilate the published evidence base and apply to inform practice and policy development
• Ability to carry out highly complex analysis of public health interventions utilising data where a range of diverse and different opinions may exist from different agencies, some of which may be contentious
  
  
  

Leadership and collaborative working

• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive issues and information to a wide range of people and abilities in different situations and formats
• Well-developed communication skills: written, verbal and presentation
• Leadership skills including the ability to set a clear strategic direction, inspire and motivate others and act as an advocate for public health research within the council and partners
• Ability to lead multi-agency teams and partnerships in the development of research ideas and work programmes
• Project and programme management skills
• Ability to organise, prioritise and deliver high quality work against a background of change and uncertainty
• Ability to prioritise work to tight and challenging deadlines, managing complex and multiple pieces of work
• Ability to manage a budget
• Ability to operate in a politically changed environment
  
  
  

Knowledge/qualifications Required

• Degree
• Masters degree relevant to public health, health promotion, epidemiology or social sciences
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Knowledge of project and programme management
• Engaged in continuing professional development and reflective practice
• Knowledge of leadership and management theory
• Knowledge of multi-agency partnership working
• Knowledge and understanding of health inequalities
• Knowledge of public health policy and political awareness.
• Knowledge of the current strategic landscape public health operates within.
• Knowledge of the key strategic priorities of public health within Leeds
• Knowledge of working with universities, the voluntary, health and community sectors
  
  
  

Experience Required

Research for public health

• Experience of applying for research funding
• Experience of sharing research or good practice locally/nationally/internationally by writing articles, presenting at conferences
  
  
  

Assessing the evidence

• Experience of conducting research relevant to public health
• Experience of assessing evidence to inform work programmes
  
  
  

Leadership and collaborative working

• Experience of multi-agency working
• Experience of leading and management of research
• Experience of supervising students or managing staff
• Experience of delivery of substantive objectives/outcomes to deadlines
• Experience of project or research development within a leadership role
  
  
  

Essential Behavioural & Other Characteristics

• Commitment to improving health and reducing health inequalities, public health ethics and to fostering a learning environment.
• Able to work flexibly-hours and location, and willingness to travel.
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  
  

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.

Qualifications

• PhD relevant to public health, health promotion, epidemiology or social sciences
  
  
  

Skills Required

Surveillance and Assessment

• Ability to translate data about health and well-being to inform decisions and priority setting
  
  
  

Leadership and collaborative working

• Ability to effectively lead and manage a team
  
  
  

Experience Required

Leadership and collaborative working

• Experience with using and responding to media.
• Experience of managing/effecting innovation and change
  
  
  

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