Public Health Policy and Programme Officer

The role

Make a real impact on public health in Southwark

Are you passionate about tackling health inequalities and shaping innovative public health programmes? Do you want to play a vital role in transforming sexual and reproductive health services while leading impactful oral health initiatives? If so, Southwark Council has an exciting opportunity for you.

About the Service

Southwark is a vibrant, diverse, and ambitious borough with a strong commitment to fairness and equality. Our 'Fairer Futures for All' vision places residents and communities at the heart of everything we do. The Public Health Division works to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities, and drive forward progressive health policies and programmes.

We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, evidence-based public health interventions that make a real difference. Join us and be part of a team shaping the future of public health in one of London's most dynamic boroughs.

About the Role

As a Public Health Policy & Programme Officer, you will play a critical role in driving forward our sexual and reproductive health and oral health programmes, working closely with partners across Southwark and South-East London.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Finalising, communicating, and implementing the 2025-30 sexual health strategy, helping to shape transformation in local services.
• Working with commissioning teams to support innovative and modernised sexual and reproductive health services that improve access and outcomes.
• Leading on oral health programmes for children and older adults, shaping future strategy and delivering a refreshed joint strategic needs assessment.
• Managing and evaluating public health projects and policies, ensuring they address inequalities and deliver tangible improvements.
• Collaborating with Lambeth, Lewisham, Bromley, and Bexley councils on regional programmes and benchmarking service outcomes.
• Supporting public health capacity-building across the Council, ensuring policies and services are data-driven and impactful.

This role offers a unique opportunity to work in a fast-paced, supportive, and learning-focused environment where you'll gain diverse experience across public health practice.

About You

We're looking for a dynamic and driven professional with:

• A Master's in Public Health (or equivalent postgraduate qualification) OR relevant experience in public health policy, strategy, or programme development.
• A strong commitment to tackling health inequalities and improving public health outcomes for diverse communities.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and analytical skills to drive change and influence policy development.
• Experience in project management and commissioning, including working with data to inform decision-making.
• The ability to work collaboratively across a complex health and social care landscape.

You will thrive in this role if you are strategic, solutions-focused, and ready to make a real difference to public health in Southwark.

Recruitment timetable

Advert close: 6th March

Shortlisting date: 11th March

Interview date: 19th March

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

* Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
* Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
* If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Additional details

Why Join Us?

• A highly supportive, learning-driven team where your development is valued.
• Opportunities to shape public health strategies at a local and regional level.
• A chance to work on innovative health programmes that directly impact residents' lives.
• A commitment to diversity, inclusion, and tackling inequalities in health and care.

Be part of something bigger-help us create a healthier, fairer Southwark for all.

Ready to make an impact? Apply now and join Southwark Council in shaping the future of public health.

This post requires a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) DBS check at Enhanced level.

Benefits and more information:

In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high-achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Staff Benefits page.