Application Deadline: 29 July 2026
Department: Public Health
Location: Torbay Council
Compensation: £51,356 - £54,495 / year
Description
The salary includes an amount for a market supplement ranging from £4,175 to £4,226 per year. Job Description & Person Specification >
Torbay is an outstanding and historic area located on the south coast of Devon. There are unprecedented levels of investment in the three towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham which alongside the council’s own ambitious transformation programme have given Torbay the opportunity to capitalise on the area’s profile and many assets.
As a small unitary authority, you will discover Torbay is a place where you can make things happen quickly. We want Torbay and its residents to thrive and are committed to making a difference in our community, by delivering high quality services to local people. As part of this endeavour, we are looking to recruit a talented, enthusiastic and motivated Public Health Specialist into our Public Health Team.
This Public Health Specialist role will lead the implementation the national gambling related harm prevention programme across the peninsula of Devon and Cornwall. We expect the successful candidate to be a champion of the programme and advocate for change locally, regionally, and nationally in this emerging and rapidly developing public health agenda.
Undertaking the role of Public Health Specialist means you will be closely collaborating with a range of key stakeholders across the peninsula of Devon and Cornwall both internal and external to Torbay Council such as Devon County Council, Cornwall Council, Plymouth City Council, the Office for Health, Inequality and Disparity (OHID), the NHS, and the voluntary and community sectors.
Delivery will include:
- Providing public health leadership in developing, implementing, and evaluating the Peninsula Gambling Related Harm Programme.
- Providing advice to other gambling related harm leads across the Southwest, to build and strengthen preventative approaches.
- Collaborating with key partners representing treatment and the voluntary and community sector, and others as required for the growth and success of the programme.
- Undertaking line management responsibility – specifically the Public Health Intelligence Analyst for gambling related harm.
- Developing and delivering a programme of work and supporting Peninsula level network, covering key themes specific to the gambling related harm agenda.
- Maintaining knowledge of current and upcoming gambling related harm national developments.
- Responsibility for the management of relevant budgets, commissioning and procurement of resources as set out buy the conditions of the national statutory levy, the grant programme funding all delivery under the gambling related harm agenda.
You will find the diversity of the role and workstream topic to be rewarding and will be joining a team that is supportive and enthusiastic about what it does as well as being committed to professional development.
You will be part of a well-established team and will be collaborating with other Specialists, Intelligence Analysts and Public Health Practitioners, with support and management from a Consultant in Public Health.
We understand the importance of an effective work-life balance, therefore offer a hybrid working approach managed effectively around the need to attend essential meetings in line with the remit of the role.
This role offers an exciting opportunity to work for an employer that sees public health as a core council function to improve people's lives and reduce health inequalities within the population.
In return, you will join a supportive and rewarding organisation and team, whereby your talent will be valued and actively developed. At Torbay Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from our people.
The following sections outline some of the key skills and effectiveness, knowledge, experience, and achievements required for the post. Please see the job description and person specification for the full list of requirements.
This position is for a fixed term until 1st September 2028.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the
full job description by placing the below URL into your browser:
https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/public-health-specialist/
For an informal chat please contact Mark Richards on 07852 365598 or mark.richards@torbay.gov.uk.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 17th August 2026.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills
Essential:
- Advanced analytical skills with experience of analysing and interpreting data and/or information to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes of a population community or group.
- The ability to communicate effectively with a range of different people and using different methods including good negotiating and facilitation skills.
- Effective presentation skills including the ability to present complex issues with clarity to meet the needs of the target audience.
- The ability to challenge existing practices and identify solutions and influence decisions.
- The ability to work independently and to collaborate as part of a team.
As this post meets the requirements of the Immigration Act 2016 (part 7), the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
Knowledge
Essential:
- Advanced knowledge of the determinants of health and their effect on populations, communities, groups, and individuals.
- Advanced knowledge of the public health/health improvement agenda and wider determinants of health.
- Specialist knowledge of how to assess the health needs of the population and ensure programmes are evidenced based to best meet local need.
- Advanced knowledge of the complexities of collaborating with a wide range of commissioners and service providers.
- Knowledge of the commissioning cycle.
Experience & Qualifications
Essential:
- Experience in leadership and development (including problem solving), implementation and evaluation of public health programmes and initiatives.
- Experience of partnership working within a multi-agency environment including local government and/or the NHS and across a range of seniority levels.
- Experience of partnership across a diverse range of agencies and people including the public and marginalised members of the community.
- A positive history of motivating, persuading, and influencing colleagues and other stakeholders.
- Relevant postgraduate qualification or relevant work-based experience equivalent to this level.
