Job summary
- Main area
- Policy and International Health, a WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health & Wellbeing
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- 7 months (Fixed term until February 2026 due to Secondment)
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 028-AC120-0525
- Employer
- Public Health Wales NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham
- Town
- Cardiff / Swansea / Wrexham
- Salary
- £46,840 - £53,602 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 01/06/2025 23:59
- Interview date
- 18/06/2025
Employer heading

Senior Policy Officer
Band 7
Welcome to Public Health Wales, the national public health organisation for Wales
Our vision is Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales
To find out more visit Public Health Wales and watch this video about our Strategic Plan
Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference
Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram
Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh, any application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English. To support our all Wales service, we particularly welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
Please be advised that there is a temporary top up for Bands 2 and 3 to reflect the incorporation of the top up to the living wage of £12.60 per hour - £24,638 per annum.
This temporary top up will be in place until the annual pay uplift for 2025/26 is confirmed.
Job overview
THIS POST IS FIXED TERM/SECONDMENT FOR 7 MONTHS UNTIL FEBRUARY 2026 DUE TO SECONDMENT.
You will be leading public health policy projects involving policy proposals, advocacy, analysis and research. You will support the delivery of our Long Term Strategy at Public Health Wales by influencing policy makers and key stakeholders to enable policy change that improves public health in Wales.
The role will include:
Managing policy projects and line-managing team members.
Acting as a ‘thought leader’ through analysis and policy proposal development by recognising opportunities for public health improvement.
Collaborating internally and externally to draw on expertise from across the organisation and test policy thinking, shape policy debate and enable policy change.
Communicating effectively through evidence-based policy briefings, reports, articles/blogs, consultation responses, and presentations.
Sharing insights about external policy developments and their implications for public health.
Acting as an advocate for public health.
If you are enthusiastic and motivated, then this is an exciting opportunity for you to join our highly talented, collaborative, dynamic and friendly team.
Main duties of the job
The post will be providing specialist expertise on agreed policy areas.
Policy and Research
Influence policy thinking and enable policy change by building relationships with stakeholders and decision-makers.
Ensure policy work is evidence-based using literature searches, evidence reviews, commissioned research, and engagement with colleagues and stakeholders.
Gather, analyse, and share information about external policy developments and their implications for public health.
Translate research findings and policy proposals into engaging and understandable formats for a range of audiences.
Provide specialist policy input to strategic, multi-agency groups.
Provide advice on policy research methods, use, and analysis of data (quantitative and qualitative).
Undertake data collection and analysis using a range of methods and, with others, publish findings in academic and non-academic papers.
Management
• Develop and lead programmes and projects to enable policy advocacy and implementation.
• Manage the delivery of an agreed work plan within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Ensure that all projects and research comply with governance policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the work of the wider directorate/organisation.
• Line manage team members.
THIS POST IS FIXED TERM FOR 7 MONTHS.
Working for our organisation
Public Health Wales is the National Public Health Institute in Wales. Our vision is 'Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales'. We play a pivotal role in driving improvements in population health and well-being, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare outcomes, protecting the public and supporting the development of health in all policies across Wales.
Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change. We are an organisation that places ourselves at the heart of supporting people, communities, partners, and the Welsh Government in addressing these major challenges and providing solutions for action.
Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/
For guidance on the application process, please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
For further information about the vacancy please see the job description and personal specification attached.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant demonstrable experience of policy analysis, understanding political and policy contexts, and finding solutions e.g. through developing robust policy proposals
- Experience of developing and managing stakeholder relationships
- Experience of engagement with government and/or stakeholder organisations to influence policy makers
- Experience leading projects or programmes
Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes
Essential criteria
- Policy advocacy and influencing skills through building influential relationships, with the ability to present complex issues in a persuasive, accessible style to a range of audiences and in different settings
- Ability to assimilate new policy issues/areas quickly, make connections between different policy areas, and initiate and frame new policy agendas
- Ability to communicate complex information in writing and orally, in formal and informal settings and to different audiences
- Demonstrated ability to self-motivate and motivate others
Applicant requirements
Welsh language skills are desirable
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Louisa Petchey
- Job title
- Senior Policy Specialist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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