Senior Public Health Specialist

Fixed Term Contract / Secondment Opportunity until 31 March 2028
. 32.4 hours per week
.

Hackney is one of the UK’s highest performing local authorities, serving one of London’s best places to live and work.

City and Hackney Public Health Service is a dynamic and dedicated team, serving the populations of both Hackney and the City of London and known for being innovative and passionate about improving the health of our local populations. The team is on a journey to transform both Hackney Council and City of London Corporation to take a ‘Health in All Policies’ approach.

As a Senior Public Health Specialist, you will work within a team of highly motivated public health staff, supporting the Director of Public Health to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities in Hackney and the City of London.

As part of our ’whole system’ approach to tackling obesity, this fixed term role will lead the co‑development, implementation and evaluation of a pilot programme of work to build workforce and community capacity to promote healthy weight.

• Strengthen healthy weight competence and confidence among frontline staff and volunteers who support individuals at high risk of obesity, in various service and community settings.
• Improve awareness of, and access to, information about actions individuals can take to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
• Develop and implement a plan to address and reduce weight stigma across Hackney and the City.

Responsibilities will be delivered through collaboration with colleagues across the two local authorities, health and voluntary sector partners, and directly with communities.

You will be educated to degree level and have significant public health knowledge and skills, acquired through training, experience or formal study. You will have a knowledge of the causes of ill health and inequalities, combined with knowledge of public health principles and methodologies.

Applicants should have a comprehensive understanding of the complex drivers of obesity and the multi‑faceted response required to promote healthy weight. Expertise in community co‑design/co‑delivery and supporting wider services to embed health promotion in routine practice is highly desirable.

Standard DBS is required.

To apply, create an account and submit your application through the online portal.

Closing date for applications: 04 February 2026 (22:59).

Interview dates: W/C 02 & 09 March 2026.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under‑represented in our workforce.

Flexible working may be offered.

This role is part of the Health in All Policies approach and supports the vision of creating a place where all residents and staff can be proud, valued, and included.