East Kilbride, London
Job Summary
We lead the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world. We employ around 17,000 staff in our global network of 281 offices worldwide. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street in London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes.
Main Purpose of Job
The Senior Health Adviser in the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) team is a critical role to deliver the third pillar of the UK’s Global Health Strategy, working to build stronger health systems and to help end the preventable deaths of mothers, babies and children in some of the world’s poorest countries.
The Successful Candidate Will Be Responsible For Leading And Overseeing The UK’s Maternal And Newborn Health (MNH) International Policy And Programming, Providing Thought Leadership On Our Health System Strengthening Approach And Providing Wider Health Expertise And Advice In Support Of Three Key Outcomes:
- Global rights: promoting and defending comprehensive SRHR (through supporting change to politics, laws, policies and norms).
- Accessible, quality information, supplies and services: supporting Governments and holding them to account to deliver quality, inclusive and sustainable services and supplies .
- For all: recognising the agency and power, and championing the voices and needs, of women, adolescents, girls, LGBT+ people, people with disabilities, and all who face stigma, discrimination and exclusion regarding their SRHR.
Global health is one of the FCDO’s biggest areas of UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) spend. Diplomacy is at our core, driving FCDO and His Majesty’s Government’s (HMG) global health policy priorities through strategy, technical leadership and engagement. The successful candidate will work closely with international partners (for example partner governments, the United Nations (UN), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations); with stakeholders in the UK (including Parliament and the UK’s international facing SRHR and maternal and newborn health networks); and across the FCDO, to support the overseas network and other departments on SRHR policy and practice.
Job Description
Roles and Responsibilities
The Successful Candidate Will:
- Provide strategic policy leadership on maternal and newborn health policy for FCDO, including providing technical advice to support our efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the wider Global Health Directorate.
- Influence policy delivery on maternal and newborn health through other programmes, for example on reproductive health commodities.
- Build strong working relationships and networks, including with key UN and international organisations (for example the World Health Organisation and World Bank), to shape and influence global policy making on MNH and SRHR, linking with key global health system strengthening agendas.
- Co-chair a global Maternal and Newborn Health donor group to achieve greater consensus and collaboration e.g. on MNH commodities and midwifery.
- Advise and inform key Health Systems Strengthening initiatives including on the Lusaka Agenda to align global health initiatives and to inform and support delivery of FCDO Health system strengthening policy with a focus on equity and rights.
- Provide senior programme management and leadership, acting as Senior Responsible Owner for UK investments in the Global Financing Facility, through our programme on maternal and newborn health rights, and others where relevant.
- Act as a member of SRHR leadership team, setting strategic direction, driving delivery and investing in the team’s inclusive and empowering culture.
- Chair and lead a sub-team within the wider SRHR team, focused on driving outcomes on maternal and newborn health and health system strengthening.
- Provide excellent and conscientious line management and champion/role model high quality line management across the SRHR team and department.
This list is not exhaustive and the exact duties are subject to change but they will be similar to those above.
The Successful Candidate Will:
- Provide strategic policy leadership on maternal and newborn health policy for FCDO, including providing technical advice to support our efforts to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the wider Global Health Directorate.
- Influence policy delivery on maternal and newborn health through other programmes, for example on reproductive health commodities.
- Build strong working relationships and networks, including with key UN and international organisations (for example the World Health Organisation and World Bank), to shape and influence global policy making on MNH and SRHR, linking with key global health system strengthening agendas.
- Co-chair a global Maternal and Newborn Health donor group to achieve greater consensus and collaboration e.g. on MNH commodities and midwifery.
- Advise and inform key Health Systems Strengthening initiatives including on the Lusaka Agenda to align global health initiatives and to inform and support delivery of FCDO Health system strengthening policy with a focus on equity and rights.
- Provide senior programme management and leadership, acting as Senior Responsible Owner for UK investments in the Global Financing Facility, through our programme on maternal and newborn health rights, and others where relevant.
- Act as a member of SRHR leadership team, setting strategic direction, driving delivery and investing in the team’s inclusive and empowering culture.
- Chair and lead a sub-team within the wider SRHR team, focused on driving outcomes on maternal and newborn health and health system strengthening.
- Provide excellent and conscientious line management and champion/role model high quality line management across the SRHR team and department.
This list is not exhaustive and the exact duties are subject to change but they will be similar to those above.
Person specification
It is essential in your application that you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following Minimum Criteria as far as you are able to do so. These responses will be further developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview.
Minimum Criteria:
- Senior expert level with high quality skills across all competencies across the FCDO Health Technical Competency Framework or deep specialism within competency H1: Health systems development or H4: The wider determinants of health and health improvement.
- Strong policy and strategic leadership skills and ability to set direction and to represent FCDO/HMG.
- Proven ability of engaging effectively with diverse partners, across UN agencies, global health initiatives, NGOs, other donors, and academia.
- Strong programme management skills with the ability to oversee significant programmes with complex risks and ensure delivery and learning.
- Ability to provide effective line management and support the SRHR team in realising longer-term career goals and professional development opportunities as needed.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Motivation question at interview.
- Presentation question at interview
- Health systems development (H1)
- Health architecture and health diplomacy (H2)
- Wider determinants of health and health improvement (H4)
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- Health systems development (H1)
- Health architecture and health diplomacy (H2)
- Wider determinants of health and health improvement (H4)
Alongside your salary of £67,000, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £19,409 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- A Civil Service Pension.
- 25 days Annual Leave per annum.
- 9 days Public and Privilege holidays per annum.
- Learning and Development tailored to your role.
See the attached Candidate Pack for more details.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
This vacancy also uses the Health Technical Competency Framework.
Please see the attached Candidate Pack for the selection process details.
Candidates will be required to give a Presentation at interview and the topic will be sent to you in advance.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact us via external.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to FCDO from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with us before applying.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
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 developed vetting (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.
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 developed vetting (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
Open to UK nationals only.
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.
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
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 : FCDO External Recruitment Team
- Email : External.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : external.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk
Further information
The FCDO’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should, in the first instance, contact external.recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the FCDO, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners at info@csc.gov.uk.
