JOB PURPOSE:         

• To lead London Councils’ work to shape the role of London local government in new Integrated Care Systems.

• To lead London Councils work to shape borough-based partnerships, including models of governance, managerial leadership, budget pooling and prioritisation of outcomes.

• To lead the development and delivery of systems and processes which ensure that –

  • Borough leads are connected and working collaboratively to develop models of place partnership working.

  • Local government leadership across different ICSs are connected to share intelligence and emerging issues.

  • Knowledge of established and innovative models of place and neighbourhood collaboration and integration are shared system wide.

  • London local government has a stronger, more coherent voice on place partnership.

• To play a key role in supporting the Executive Lead for Health and Care, and London Health Board Leaders as necessary.

Principal Accountabilities

• To lead London Councils’ work on influencing health integration policy, working with colleagues across the organisation to ensure this contribution is integrated with other London Councils’ policy development.

• To manage the day-to-day operation of London Councils’ work to support the development of borough-based partnership models – overseeing technical analysis, policy development, and influencing work in areas relating to local government finance and funding.

• To build effective working relationships and be an ambassador for the organisation with London Health Board Leaders, Chief Executive ICS Leads, service directors and other officers, civils servants, GLA officers, business and voluntary sector groups, opinion formers and other partners to advance London Councils’ policies and positions.

• To identify, lead and commission research and analysis that can augment London Councils’ lobbying in order to influence decisions made by ICSs, the NHS and Government on the development of ICSs and borough-based partnerships.

• To draft reports for consideration by London Councils’ Leaders’ Committee, Executive, Portfolio Holders and other forums of London Councils, and strategic submissions and consultation responses to Government and other national bodies.

• To provide detailed technical and strategic advice on complex health integration matters to colleagues in London Councils, leading members and officers in member boroughs.

• To support appropriate member and officer regional networks.

• To effectively manage financial and other resources for projects under their control ensuring that these are delivered on time and within budget.

• To support the Strategic Lead for Health and Care in ensuring that the Corporate Management Team is fully informed of relevant policy issues.

• To deputise for the Strategic Lead for Health and Care in their absence.

• To represent London Councils on policy discussions with stakeholders ensuring the needs of member authorities are represented in discussions with Government Departments and external bodies.

• To provide ministers, members, officers, MPs, journalists, and others with appropriate briefings on relevant policy issues on a timely basis; and act as a communications champion, supporting the work of the Communications team and London Councils’ wider communications strategy across all areas of London Councils activity.

• To provide leadership to allocated staff, including managing, recruiting and developing teams, and directly supervising the work of staff allocated to other projects and programmes.

• To develop staff using coaching and other activities to support the development of team members, providing feedback to staff through 121 and other supervisory activities.

• To encourage the development of service and employment policies and practices which reflect and value the diversity of London’s communities and promote an inclusive society.

• To adhere to London Councils’ corporate policies, procedures, regulations and protocols.

• To take care at all times to uphold health and safety at work for self and others. To observe London Councils’ Health and Safety policy and related procedures at all times.

• To uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in line with the expectations of a local government officer and to lead staff to adhere to such standards in order to uphold the reputation of London Councils and local government in London. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Head of Health Integration  

Qualifications and experience

• Experience of working in local government and/or the NHS in related field related to integrated working, potentially including adult and children’s services, public health or in a health or social care commissioning role

• Experience of leading a team

• Demonstrated experience of creativity in policy development

• Experience of successfully managing and delivering major policy projects

• Experience in analysing and presenting complex information to both a technical and non-technical audience

• Experience of working on major projects involving co-ordination across an organisation

• Experience of managing people to achieve high levels of performance

• Experience of working effectively within a complex political environment with an understanding of the political sensitivity

• Experience of undertaking qualitative and quantitative research, financial modelling and statistical analysis; and

• Evidence of continuously improving staff skills and knowledge.

Knowledge

• In depth knowledge of the national policy agenda in relation to the integration of health and care, including the NHS Long Term Plan, the Health and Care Act, the legal scope and structures of Integrated Care Systems and place partnership models

• In depth knowledge of Local Government, preferably the London local government family, its governmental structure and London Councils’ role within it

• In depth knowledge of NHS structures and accountabilities, including the role of the NHS London Region, London’s five Integrated Care Systems and Primary Care Networks

• Good understanding of current policies impacting on London’s boroughs, and the key issues they face

• Understanding of the interface between research, policy and politics

• An awareness of the decision-making process within London boroughs and the role of elected members and officers.

Skills and Abilities

• Highly developed oral and written communication skills, with evidence of successful persuasion through clear reports, consultation responses, briefings and other documents on complex policy and/or financial issues

• Strong influencing and negotiating skills with evidence of success in leading and conducting high level influencing, lobbying and negotiating with Government, Regional Government and others in key policy areas

• Relationship building skills, and evidence of the ability to build networks of contacts within local and central government, member organisations, the academic/research world, the media and professional advisers

• High level analytical skills, and demonstrated experience implementing innovative solutions to complex problems

• Ability to lead and manage permanent and temporary teams of people working on complex policy projects, including ability to direct the writing by others of papers, presentations, consultation and other documents

• Ability to manage staff to secure necessary outcomes. Able to provide effective feedback on their performance and identify opportunities for their development through appraisal and other supervisory activities, and to coach staff to improve performance

• Excellent organisational skills, including prioritisation, project and programme management, and exemplary time management skills

• Excellent ICT skills.

Personal Characteristics

• Strong leader who can achieve performance and results through others

• Innovative and creative thinking

• Political sensitivity and ability to work effectively with members

• Highly influential as a result of a range of oral written and other skills

• An inclusive team player

• Outstanding interpersonal skills to relate effectively to London Councils’ elected members, partners, colleagues and staff

• Sensitive to and able to work effectively with media.

Other factors

• Personal commitment to the value of diversity, inclusion and the promotion of equality of opportunity

• This is a politically restricted post, under Section 2 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.