About the job

Job summary

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. 

Job description

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.

Person specification

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.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,000, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £20,250 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

To apply for this post please submit the following documents no later than 23:55 on Tuesday 2nd January 2024.

1. A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years.
2. A Statement of Suitability (no more than 1250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the person specification.

Failure to submit both documents will mean the panel only has limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.  

As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say'. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor our progress towards the Civil Service becoming the most inclusive employer by 2025. 

Please note that we are unable to provide feedback to those candidates who are not shortlisted for interview. Written feedback will be made available (on request) to those candidates who attend interview.

If you are unable to apply online please contact

Selection Process

A panel chaired by Anna Wechsberg, International Director DHSC will assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

Anna will be supported by a selection panel made up of other senior stakeholders for the role, full details of this panel will be shared with shortlisted candidates.

Alongside other departments, DHSC is committed to making the Civil Service more inclusive and recognises the value of diverse interview panels. Helping candidates, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, to feel comfortable and at ease during the interview process, to reduce bias and increase the objectiveness of decisions. In line with the Civil Service’s Inclusive Board initiative we aim to ensure that, as well as being gender diverse, DHSC’s interview panels for Senior Civil Service will include at least one panellist who is from an ethnic minority background and/or who has a physical or non-physical disability (which may not be visible).

Shortlist

You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through the online process.

The panel will select a shortlist of candidates whose applications best demonstrate suitability for the role, by considering the evidence provided against the essential criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’.

Candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme and A Great Place to Work for Veterans Scheme who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview. 

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, all candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter, and we will advise on any delays. 

Shortlisted candidates who attend an interview will also be offered verbal feedback from a member of the interview panel.

Assessment

If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in a series of assessments which will include a staff engagement exercise. These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview.

Discussion with Vacancy Holder 

Shortlisted candidates may have the opportunity to speak to the vacancy holder, Anna Wechsberg, Director Global Health Security, DHSC and Dame Sally Davies, UK Envoy on AMR prior to the final interview. This is an informal discussion to allow candidates to learn more about the role, and is not part of the assessment process.

Interview

You will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to prepare a 5-minute

presentation at interview on a scenario issued to them 30 minutes ahead of their panel interview. This presentation will be designed to

assess each candidate’s experience with briefing Ministers.  Full details will be provided prior to interview.

You will be asked a series of questions at interview around the following behaviours and the essential criteria earlier in this pack.

Behaviours-

1.     Leadership
2.     Communicating and Influencing
3.     Working Together

Interviews will take place in person at 39 Victoria Street, London, full details of the interview format will be provided to shortlisted candidates prior to interview.

Feedback

If unsuccessful at any stage, please contact scscandidate.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk at Government Recruitment Service to request feedback on your application or interview. 

A reserve list will be held for up to 12 months, which we may use to fill future suitable vacancies for candidates who are considered appointable following interview.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.