Public Health Intelligence Specialist

Are you passionate about using data to drive meaningful change in public health? At the London Borough of Merton, were looking for a skilled and motivatedPublic Health Intelligence Specialistto join our dynamic team. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of health services for children and families by turning complex data into actionable insights.In this pivotal role, youll lead analytical projects, manage health intelligence systems, and present findings that influence strategic decisions across the borough. Youll work with cutting-edge tools like ArcGIS and infographics software to bring data to life, helping us tackle health inequalities and improve outcomes for our communities.We offer a collaborative environment where your expertise will be valued, your ideas heard, and your professional growth supported. If you''re ready to make a real impact through data, wed love to hear from you.Main duties of the job

As a Public Health Intelligence Specialist, youll play a key role in transforming health data into meaningful insights that shape services and policies across Merton. Youll lead analytical projects, manage health intelligence systems, and support teams with expert advice on public health data especially around children and young people. From producing compelling reports and visualisations to guiding strategic decisions, your work will directly contribute to improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities in the borough.About us

At the London Borough of Merton, were proud to be a forward thinking local authority committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our diverse communities. OurPublic Health Teamis a vibrant, multidisciplinary group that values collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based practice.We work in a supportive and inclusive environment where professional development is encouraged, and your contributions are genuinely valued. Youll be part of a team thats passionate about tackling health inequalities and making a real difference, especially for children, young people, and families.We offer:Flexible working arrangementsA strong culture of learning and developmentOpportunities to lead meaningful projectsAccess to cutting-edge tools and data systemsA workplace that prioritises wellbeing and work-life balanceJoin us and be part of a team thats shaping healthier futures for Mertons residents.Job responsibilities

LONDON BOROUGH OF MERTONPUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTJOB DESCRIPTIONJob Title Public Health Intelligence SpecialistGradeBand London Borough of Merton Terms ConditionsGrade MEResponsible to Principal Public Health Intelligence SpecialistAccountable to Principal Public Health Intelligence SpecialistLocation Merton Civic Centre London Road Morden SM DXWorking hours WTE- hours per weekMAIN PURPOSEThe post holder will be employed by the London Borough of Merton as part ofthe Merton Public Health Team The post holder will support the Public HealthInformation and Children Lifelong Learning Families function assisting inthe development and management of the direction of public health informationto reflect local regional and national priorities The post holder will undertakespecific projects including analysis and reporting on datasets focusing primarilyon children and young people and providing information that will enable a fullunderstanding of health needs in the area addressing health inequalitiesdetermining priorities for action assisting in the wider understanding of thecharacteristics of the local population and actively disseminating the findings ofa wide range of analysisMAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESThe post holder will support Public Health Merton in ensuring the provision ofhigh quality and often complex information from a range of sources and that itis appropriately analysed and interpreted for use at operational and strategiclevels to support and inform decision making She will provide statistical andepidemiological advice to the organisation and other strategic partnershipsoften there will be conflicting information which will require a high level ofunderstanding and advice which data from sources should be used and howthe information should be interpreted The post holder will use specialisedsoftware such as ArcGIS and display analysis in clear and compelling waysincluding through ArcGIS and infographicsThe post holder will undertake projects on behalf of the organisation andsupport long term plans for designated services along with undertakingresearch projects to support Public Health Intelligence service objectivesJob ScopeThe post holder willSupport the development and training of other staff in statistics andepidemiological analysesPresent complex statistical information in a clear and engaging way to avariety of audiences which will include both those with and without anunderstanding of statistical techniquesGuide and advise others as appropriate in their decision-makingprocesses based on sound public health knowledge and evidenceCore Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe postholder will undertake the followingSupport Public Health and Children Lifelong Learning Families CLLFwith health intelligence Develop and utilise information and intelligencesystems to underpin public health action across disciplines Councildepartments and organisations including supporting the collationinterpretation and dissemination of relevant data and informationAnalytical support to the public health intelligence team public healthand CLLF staff and line management of two or more analystsTo monitor data and the surveillance function and produce reports asrequiredAnalysis synthesis interpretation and presentation of data on forexample childrens health and social care childrens inequalities egchild poverty and specific metrics eg vaccinations and any other datathat may be requiredTo have an understanding and the ability to overview all the reportsincluding local regional analysisTo be able to quality assure the data on reports produced and any otherpresentationsSupport the design and management of systems to input store anddisseminate public health statistical and epidemiological informationhelping to set up systems to integrate and link multiple data setsAssist in resolving highly complex queries and ad-hoc requests wherethere is more than one possible answer and where leading opinion mayconflict and provide professional judgement in deciding the mostappropriate solution in the given situation eg to support theTo participate in horizon scanning where there are new opportunities forthe dataPublic health intelligence specialists must be able to work across all topicareas and adapt to the needs of the department Changes to job planswill be in consultation with the postholderKEY TASKSAll the key tasks described below are in the context of supporting thePrincipal Public Health Intelligence Specialist andor the CPH incarrying out their health intelligence functionCommunication and relationshipGood communications skills both oral and written are required toreceive and analyse highly complex statistical informationAn ability to present highly complex and sensitive information on arange of public health and CLLF topics to other statistical specialistsand non-specialist audiences and individualsPresentations will be made to a variety of audiences in both terms ofknowledge and sizeCommunicate with and establish and maintain relationships with othermembers of the Public Health Team and CLLF a range of other groupsor individuals seeking help advice or information on epidemiologydesign related to public healthWrite and contribute to reports as appropriate and as directed by theline manager These reports will vary in length and complexity and willrange from informal summaries to detailed comprehensive reports Itwill also be necessary for the post holder to be able to summarisethese reports and help disseminate their findings It will be necessaryto be able to explain complex analyses and findings to specialist andnon-specialist audiences in a way that they can understand theimplications of the reportThe post holder will have specialist knowledge in public healthTo undertake any other duties as may reasonably be determined fromtime to time to be commensurate with the range of activities outlinedaboveKnowledge Training and ExperienceThrough masters level qualifications or equivalent qualifications andexperienceDemonstrate specialist and in depth knowledge of epidemiologystatistics and information analysis related to health that will enable thepost holder to support Public Health and CLLFs health intelligencefunction in providing timely solutions to a range of analytical andmethodological issues projects and queriesHave knowledge to support the design and management of systems toinput store and disseminate public health statistical andepidemiological informationHave appropriate levels of knowledge to be able to support thedevelopment and production of major reports eg Public HealthAnnual Report JSNA HNAs Bulletins and Profiles This requires welldeveloped interpretation and report writing skills and the ability toexplain complex information in simple termsAbility to support regular updates to the online version of the JSNAExperience of undertaking surveys statistical analyses anddissemination of findings with the ability to communicate complexinformation to specialists and non-specialistsAppropriate levels of knowledge and experience to support undertakingevaluations using statistical and epidemiological methods to effectivelymeasure the outcome and benefit of individual public health initiativesKnowledge of various statistical software packages databases andspreadsheets and have the technical capability to support datamanagement and manipulationAnalytical and Judgemental SkillsSupport the handling of complex analytical and statistical healthinformation problems and issues requiring interpretationUse judgemental skills to derive alternative information sources andmethods of analysis when appropriateUse specialised software such as ArcGIS and SHAPE tool to createmapsUse infographics toolssoftware such as piktochart to enable audiencesto visualise the data to explain complex informationUse a range of available data sets including national regional localauthority NHS and other sources such as SafeStatsIn conjunction with technical skills a range of analytical skills areneeded to appropriately identify and respond correctly toepidemiological issuesAnalyses may involve sensitive information so the post-holder needsto ensure that the analyses are completed carefully and correctly Thisinvolves detailed checking and examination of the analyses producedSupport the resolution of complex queries where there is more thanone possible answer and where leading opinion may conflict andprovide professional judgement on the most appropriate solution in thegiven situation eg to support the commissioning processPlanning and Organisational SkillsContribute to the planning and formulation of organisational local andregional plans and strategies based on sound statistical andepidemiological information revisiting current strategies wherenecessary should the evidence-base changeTo support the design and management of systems to input store anddisseminate public health statistical and epidemiological informationsetting up systems to integrate and link multiple data setsHave a number of tasks underway at the same time and it will benecessary for the post holder to plan and organise their own timeaccording to deadlinesExhibit flexibility in order to allow for changes in information formatlack of information provided and delays in receiving requestedinformationIt may be necessary for the post holder to arrange meetings withcolleagues to plan objectives and work commitments formultidisciplinary research audits and projectsPhysical SkillsThe post requires highly developed keyboard skills to input andmanipulate data where accuracy and continuous qualityPerson Specification

Qualifications

Masters level qualification or equivalent experience in statistics, epidemiology, or a related field.Experience

Minimum two years in an analytical role.Experience in line management of health intelligence staff.Experience working with multiple health-related datasets and information systems.Experience in system development, including writing queries and reports.Experience in the development of systems for inputting, storing, and disseminating public health data.Experience of analysing and interpreting health, healthcare, demographic, or local authority data.Experience in developing and delivering statistical/epidemiological presentations.Experience in project-based working, managing competing priorities and deadlines.Experience in report writing and presenting complex information to varied audiences.Experience using ArcGIS and creating infographics for data visualisation.Experience supporting Public Health Specialty Registrars, apprentices, or early-career colleagues.Experience contributing to JSNA (Joint Strategic Needs Assessment), Health Needs Assessments, or Public Health Annual Reports.Experience in survey design, audits, and research projects related to public health.Familiarity with SafeStats or other national/regional health intelligence platforms.Experience in quality assurance of health data and reports.Experience in horizon scanning for new data opportunities or emerging public health trends.Experience working across multi-agency teams or in cross-departmental collaboration.Experience in policy development or supporting service transformation through data insights.Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Principal Public Health Intelligence ..... full job details .....