Public Health Careers Weekly | Edition 002
This week: Carefully selected public health opportunities, sector updates, a free learning opportunity and practical career advice.
⭐ Opportunity of the Week
Senior Health Improvement Practitioner
Organisation: Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Salary: £49,764–£52,805
Closing: 24 July 2026
A strong opportunity for experienced public health professionals looking to progress within local government. The role focuses on health improvement, partnership working, commissioning and reducing health inequalities, making it a useful benchmark for anyone aspiring to senior practitioner or Band 7-level roles.
Apply: https://www.lgjobs.com/job/senior-health-improvement-practitioner-69429
📍 Featured Opportunity
Public Health Corporate Services Officer
Organisation: Hertfordshire County Council
Salary: £34,434–£37,280
Closing: 20 July 2026
A great opportunity for applicants with experience in project coordination, governance or stakeholder engagement. Suitable for MPH graduates and professionals moving into local authority public health.
Apply: https://www.lgjobs.com/job/public-health-corporate-services-officer-67529
📍 Featured Opportunity
Research, Policy and Advocacy Officer
Organisation: Global Action on Men’s Health
Closing: 20 July 2026
Ideal for applicants interested in research, policy, advocacy and evidence-informed decision-making. A good example of the opportunities available outside traditional NHS public health roles.
Apply: https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/global-action-on-men-s-health/research-policy-and-advocacy-officer/1074881
📍 Featured Opportunity
Policy Officer
Organisation: Blood Cancer UK
Closing: 23 July 2026
A policy and public affairs role focused on influencing governments and health systems to improve outcomes for people affected by blood cancer. Suitable for applicants with experience in policy, research or stakeholder engagement.
Apply: https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/blood-cancer-uk/policy-officer-x2-england-and-wales-and-scotland-and-northern-ireland/1074903
📰 In Brief
Public Health Scotland publishes the latest Viral Respiratory Diseases Surveillance Report
The latest surveillance report summarises COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory virus activity across Scotland, providing a practical example of national public health surveillance in action.
Read: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/viral-respiratory-diseases-in-scotland-surveillance-report/viral-respiratory-diseases-in-scotland-surveillance-report-9-july-2026/
UKHSA publishes weekly respiratory surveillance updates
UKHSA continues to publish national surveillance reports covering influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses. These reports are useful reading for anyone interested in epidemiology, surveillance or health protection careers.
Read: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season
Faculty of Public Health upcoming events
FPH has several upcoming webinars and events covering healthy places, environmental health and public health leadership.
View events: https://www.fph.org.uk/events-courses-exams/
🎓 Skill of the Week
Stakeholder Engagement
Across this week’s featured roles, employers are looking for professionals who can build partnerships, influence decisions and work effectively across organisations.
Free learning opportunity
Faculty of Public Health webinar: Public Health and Environmental Health: Collaborating for Healthy Places
https://www.fph.org.uk/events-courses-exams/
💡 Career Insight
Public health careers extend far beyond the NHS
This week’s opportunities include local government and charities alongside traditional public health employers. Broadening your search beyond NHS organisations can uncover careers in policy, advocacy, research and programme delivery that still have a significant impact on population health.
✍️ This Week’s Application Tip
Avoid repeating the person specification.
Instead of writing:
Excellent communication skills.
Show evidence.
For example:
Presented surveillance findings to multidisciplinary stakeholders, translating complex data into clear recommendations that informed service planning.
Recruiters score evidence of what you’ve done, not statements about what you can do.
📚 PHCH Resource of the Week
Public Health Role Targeting Tool
Not sure which public health roles best match your experience?
The free Public Health Role Targeting Tool helps you identify suitable career pathways and broaden your job search beyond familiar job titles.
Access it here: https://www.publichealthcareershub.com/resources
Until next Friday,
Keep building evidence. Keep applying strategically.
— Public Health Careers Hub