Head of Obesity Action Scotland
The Role
- To lead a health-focused unit hosted in a Medical Royal College that aims to change the way Scotland tackles obesity prevention and healthy food policy.
- To challenge the understanding of a healthy diet, obesity (and what a healthy weight looks like) and associated risks with key groups, decision makers and individuals in public policy, media, health and beyond
- To identify and challenge the public and private sector interests that directly shape the obesogenic
environment to identify and influence action required. - To shape the political and policy agenda through direct engagement with senior decision-takers to
enable the change needed to deliver population health measures. - To develop and inspire a successful, engaged team that can deliver agreed aspirations.
- In conjunction with and as directed by the Steering Group, to lead, develop and monitor programmes of work, overseeing delivery and ensuring that programmes are evidence-based, outcome-focused, fully aligned with strategic priorities, seeking to promote a healthy diet and thus change the prevalence and profile of overweight and obesity in Scotland.
About You – Knowledge, Experience and Skill Set Required
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject;
- Successful leadership experience in a specific subject of public interest, influencing policy
makers; - Excellent networking, communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills;
- Understanding of the relationship between determinants of health, food and drink, nutrition
and commercial factors; - Excellent written communications and experience of report writing;
- Confident, strategic thinker and problem solver with the ability to analyse complex issues and
offer a choice of solutions; - Ability to operate at a strategic level able to articulate the organisation’s vision and direction as
well as giving support at operational level to achieve objectives and outcomes; - Ability to manage the interface between the external environment and internal operation, to
gather critical intelligence and be accountable for outcomes; - Ability to develop, manage and execute effective public affairs and communications strategies;
- Ability to undertake financial planning and identify and respond to income generating
opportunities; - Strong ethical sense in conducting relationships between stakeholders in the health sector and
food industry; - High level understanding of the use of research and evidence in shaping, influencing and
developing policy and practice; - Demonstrable experience in overseeing the development and delivery of programmes that
influence policy, and communication strategies; relationship building and ability to articulate
key messages and outcomes; - Knowledge of how people learn and ability to design and facilitate dynamic learning
opportunities;
Desirable
- Previous work in a public health field;
- Previous experience in food policy or nutrition related subject area;
- Previous work in engaging with media and communications;
- Awareness of human rights, equality and inclusion issues as they affect people who experience
disadvantage - Knowledge of the healthy food and anti-obesity policy context in Scotland and awareness of the
UK, European and international context.