Drugs Intelligence and Research Project Officer

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Leeds, London

About the job

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

Reducing health disparities is the core aim of OHID. To ensure action on health improvement and health inequalities is better informed, more effective and joined-up, OHID brings together:

• Evidence, data and intelligence on what drives better and more equal health outcomes and what works in addressing health risks
• Policy development to take forward priority areas for action across government
• Commissioning and delivery support to the wider health system
• Design and delivery of health improvement interventions
• OHID shapes and drives health improvement priorities for government, working with the whole of government, the NHS, local government, industry and wider partners to deliver these.

As part of the Drugs Policy, Evidence and Delivery division at the Health Improvement directorate at OHID, the Alcohol and Drugs Treatment and Recovery Team performs a variety of functions relating to local treatment and recovery systems and policy. The team produces guidance documents and other products to support commissioners and providers of drug and alcohol treatment services. The team also collates, analyses and disseminates data and information on a range of substance use and treatment topics, ensuring appropriate levels of understanding and awareness. The team works closely with, and contributes to, the UK Drugs Early Warning System.

Job description

This post undertakes an important role within the Alcohol and Drugs Treatment and Recovery team. It includes management of local drug alerts reporting processes, collating and reporting data, including taking responsibility for specific aspects of reporting, liaising with and coordinating the work of some of the experts who provide information, analysis and interpretation in their specialist fields. The post will also assist the Project Manager for Drugs Intelligence and Research in meeting reporting obligations, initiating and supporting meetings and workshops, and disseminating information.

Person specification

• Maintain OHID’s local drugs intelligence incidents and alerts log, liaising with Local Drug Information System contacts to manage information flows and support local incident management.
• Collaborate with the National Crime Agency and with the Drugs Early Warning System team on tracking drug harms.
• Produce and present monthly drugs intelligence summaries for stakeholders.
• Assist in the collection, analysis and reporting of drugs data to the UK government’s Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs, and other national and international bodies.
• Play a key role in the quality assurance process, ensuring that all data shared internally or externally is accurate.
• Organise and provide administrative support for meetings and workshops, including preparing papers and minute taking.
• Represent the Alcohol and Drugs Treatment and Recovery team at internal and external meetings.
• Plan, prioritise and organise own workload to achieve outcomes within an agreed timescale.
• Track emerging research and contribute to the maintenance and development of a research register.
• Support the team to commission research via the National Institute for Healthcare Research such as by drafting research calls or proposals.
• Draft written briefings for external stakeholders, senior managers and/or Ministers on emerging evidence relevant to the work of the team.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Key skills and experience required for the role

• Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.
• Strong numerical skills and proficiency with Excel and ability to interpret data.
• Strong attention to detail and experience of quality assurances processes.
• Skills for developing and maintaining relationships and networks.
• Experience of project management and/or health information systems
• Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills.
• An understanding of alcohol and drugs issues or the broader health and social care environment.
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Experience and understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods and ability to critically appraise these methods
• Experience of providing administrative support for meetings and producing high quality minutes.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload in line with the team’s priorities and to meet tight deadlines.

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support. 

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need. 

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements. 

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,188, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £8,690 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Alberto Oteo
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the DHSC Central Recruitment Team at [email protected]

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/

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