Deputy Director Global Health Security

In the last few years we have all been reminded of the importance of health security – and of the contribution the UK can make drawing on our expertise and world-leading life sciences sector.  As we build back from Covid-19 and work to strengthen  systems against future health threats, there couldn’t be a more important time to take on this Deputy Director role. 

If successful you will be joining a fantastic team in the International Directorate in DHSC, as a member of the Directorate’s Senior Leadership Team alongside me and three other Deputy Directors.  You will also be joining a wider community of committed people across government and internationally working on global health, including in the UK Health Security Agency and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.  

This role requires high quality programme delivery, policy development and excellent people leadership.  We are looking for someone who can combine all three: setting direction, working collaboratively and being a positive contributor to a high performing team.  

This is an international development role within DHSC.  So as well as the criteria above, we are looking for someone who has experience of working in international development, ideally in health; and understands how to work with developing country partners to deliver great results. 

The Deputy Director, Global Health Security is an established, stretching role in the International Directorate of DHSC, responsible for leading policy and programmes to strengthen global health security, with a particular focus on tackling the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).  

As Deputy Director, Global Health Security you will be part of the International Directorate’s senior team, working closely across the Directorate and other DHSC teams, and with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the global health team in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).  

This is a challenging role which requires someone who has demonstrable programme management and policy experience; is collaborative and able to work well with internal, cross-government and international partners; is committed to DHSC and International Directorate’s wider delivery; and is able to lead, challenge and inspire a strong team of programme managers and policy professionals.  

The work is fascinating, rapidly developing and challenging, with a high profile amongst senior officials and Ministers, and engagement with clinical and science leads across DHSC and its Arm’s Length Bodies. The team’s work has never been more relevant than now, in the aftermath of a global pandemic.

Key responsibilities

As Deputy Director, Global Health Security your key responsibilities will include: 

• Ensuring value for money in the delivery of DHSC’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes strengthening health security in low- and middle-income countries, working closely with UKHSA, FCDO, DEFRA and with international partners.  Programmes include the Fleming Fund and the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund; the UK Vaccines Network; the International Health Regulations Strengthening Project; and the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team;
• Leading DHSC’s contribution to international efforts to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), working closely with the UK Special Envoy on AMR (Dame Sally Davies); 
• Leading DHSC’s input into international collaborations aimed at strengthening global health security, including the Global Health Security Agenda; 
• Developing DHSC policy on strengthening global health security, working closely with UKHSA, and inputting into key multilateral discussions including on the Pandemic Accord and reform of the International Health Regulations;
• Leading a team of 35 people and creating a culture where collaborative working and professional excellence are the norm, and individuals can thrive and develop;
• Playing a positive and constructive role as a member of the International Directorate’s Senior Leadership Team, and contributing to the wider goals of Global Health and Health Protection Group and DHSC through corporate contributions.

It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following 

Essential Criteria:

• Proven leadership skills including the ability to build, inspire and develop high performing multi-professional teams, creating an environment of challenge, high quality and timely delivery, continuous improvement and openness to new approaches and behaviours; 
• Track record of leading and delivering complex projects and programmes with international partners in a challenging operating environment, including knowledge of risk management, governance arrangements, project delivery and financial control procedures relevant to delivery of international development programmes.
• Strong track record of effective collaboration internally and externally to deliver shared goals, working across teams and sectors as needed; 
• Personal credibility and experience of advising and working with senior stakeholders (including Ministers or equivalent) to deliver the government’s agendas and priorities effectively;
• Strong evidence of effective international engagement including building networks across countries, governments and organisations; 
• Knowledge of global health issues, architecture and systems, with a focus on global health security.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously, and want to enable you to build a really successful career with the Department and wider Civil Service. It is crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead, and you’ll benefit from regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing. As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service values and supports all its employees. 

We have strong and proactive staff networks, special leave policies for hospital appointments, reasonable adjustments put in place for those who need them, and diversity talent programmes to help everyone irrespective of background, to achieve their potential.

Pension

Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package.

A competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution to the cost of your pension; where your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken; and where your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire. Visit Civil Service Pension Scheme for more details.

Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Allowance

25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. This is in addition to 8 public holidays.

This will be complemented by one further day paid privilege entitlement to mark the King’s Birthday.

Staff Wellbeing

Flexible working including part-time or time-term working and access to Flexible Working Schemes allowing you to vary your working day as long as you work your total hours.

Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers.

Childcare benefits (policy for new employees as of 5 April 2018): The government has introduced the Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme. Working parents can open an online childcare account and for every £8 they pay in, the government adds £2, up to a maximum of £2000 a year for each child or £4000 for a disabled child. Parents then use the funds to pay for registered childcare. Existing employees may be able to continue to claim childcare vouchers, so please check how the policy would work for you here.

Onsite facilities Opportunity to use onsite facilities including fitness centres and staff canteens (where applicable).

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above.
This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions.
Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and
conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your
personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any
absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you
to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Job contact :

• Name : SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk