Role description

Overview and context  

The PHEL role is undertaken by an individual employed by a local authority in England, holding a position that requires strong leadership skills. This may include, for example, a role in senior public health, policy, or community development.  

PHELs are funded 0.1FTE to undertake the responsibilities associated with the role (outlined below).  

PHELs work across an area consisting of several local authorities. There is an ambition for PHELs to be distributed in such a way that will positively reach and engage all local authorities in England. Collectively this will comprise of PHELs from local authorities at different stages of their research journey to ensure representation, build capacity, and that engagement is valuable and appropriate to all.   

It is not essential that the PHEL has established relationships across local authorities and networks prior to applying, however they must demonstrate the ability to develop these over the funding period.  

PHELs benefit from involvement in SCPH projects, training and development opportunities and national networking activities.  

PHEL role description  

The PHEL role builds connections between local authorities, HDRCs, Local Authority Research Practitioners (LARPs), the SCPH, and other partners. Promoting the benefits of being a research-active organisation, it links local government with public health research supporting infrastructure and encourages partnerships that help to build stronger connections with expertise and resources. 

The role will build capacity across local authorities and key partners and will involve strong and regular access to stakeholders at all levels, especially elected members, chief executives, directors and board level across the local authority to generate enthusiasm and support for a research culture and evidence-based decision making.   

Role requirements    

1. Strong interpersonal and motivational skills, providing robust and visible leadership. Able to work with and influence stakeholders at all levels (including the local authority workforce, elected members, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) representatives, and the public; and the SCPH, NIHR and other research funders and organisations).  

2. Can apply a strategic approach, identify gaps, and recognise opportunities for growth.  

3. Can identify, develop, and maintain effective relationships with partners and stakeholders, including senior leaders, local authority colleagues and the public, to promote and support research in local government.  

4. Can demonstrate added value of the PHEL role, above and beyond the work being undertaken as part of the post-holder's substantive role.  

5. Commitment to championing public and community partnerships (PCP) and research inclusion (RI), key components of research-active organisations. This includes fostering an inclusive environment, engaging the strengths of diverse people and communities, to help to improve the relevance and quality of research and practice.  

6. Be an ambassador for the NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health by signposting to the support on offer and by bringing colleagues together to collaborate on SCPH projects for the overall benefit of the wider research community.  

Key responsibilities:  

• Provide leadership and advice on developing opportunities for public health research, becoming a key contact for the local authorities in their specified geography.  

• Champion a culture where the use of research evidence is at the centre of decision making in local government.   

• Identify and enable opportunities for research collaboration within and between local authorities, regionally and nationally.   

• Use new and existing networks to promote and facilitate access to the support available from the SCPH, wider NIHR infrastructure and opportunities for research funding and training.   

• Foster an inclusive environment, engage the strengths of diverse people and communities to improve the relevance and quality of research and practice.    

• Support the achievement of the SCPHs strategic priorities by sharing expertise, local knowledge, and examples of good practice, and participate in relevant SCPH regional and national networks and events.  

Benefits for the PHEL and their employing local authority  

• Builds long-term, stronger partnerships to support public health research locally and across England, with the potential to be self-sustaining beyond the lifetime of the funding   

• Increases research collaboration between local authorities, their communities, and other stakeholders by identifying opportunities for research that contributes to shared priorities.   

• Demonstrates the role of the organisation in championing a research culture and in supporting the development of capacity and capability for research within their own and surrounding local authorities   

• Funding facilitates PHELs personal development with new skills, knowledge and experience being retained within the organisation  

• Direct opportunity to shape SCPH plans, ensuring support offerings to local authorities are appropriate, impactful, and accessible to colleagues at various stages in research.