Policy – International Leadership Body

Position description

We are recruiting a Band 8D post to lead the analytics and strategy of the NHS’ international work on net zero health care. This work is part of the NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Greener NHS programme, which sits within the Primary Care, Community Services and Strategy Directorate. 

The Greener NHS programme launched in January 2020 and is responsible for driving forward the system’s world-leading commitment to deliver a net zero health service by 2040. Health system engagement has been growing rapidly, with 52 countries having committed to the UNFCCC COP26 low carbon sustainable health systems initiative and 18 countries now with net zero health service targets. 

To meet the NHS net zero commitment and to support other countries in their commitments, the WHO and the NHS are collaborating to form the Global Net Zero Health Systems Leadership Initiative. The objectives of this initiative are to: 

• Provide technical support to, and share expertise among, countries that have committed to the COP26 health initiative on low carbon sustainable healthcare systems; and
• Bring together a selection of committed healthcare systems from around the world to secure appropriately ambitious decarbonisation commitments and annual emissions reductions, while supporting regulatory and policy alignment.

This role is critical for the achievement of the NHS Net Zero target and for the decarbonisation of healthcare systems around the world. We are seeking a highly motivated, and well qualified professional to lead all activities of the Global Net Zero Health Systems Leadership Initiative, which include: 

• Sharing learningbetween healthcare systems, creating a new forum for healthcare professionals with toolkits, technical guidance, webinars, fellowships and exchanges, and an annual conference;
• Supporting policy alignmenton relevant issues, including the development of shared standards, metrics and indicators of progress, and alignment between regulatory agencies
• Strengthening procurement practicesby coordinating mutual support between national healthcare systems with similarly ambitious procurement policy, coordinating research and innovation funding, and considering purchasing at scale in bespoke situations;
• Coordinating innovation fundingto fill research and evidence gaps in the delivery of low-carbon healthcare;
• Providing technical support to countriesvia different mechanisms, such as online trainings, webinars, online and face to face meetings.

To meet the demands of this role, the post holder will need: 

• Experience managing delivery of a high-quality analytics / analytical service, in a high-pressure environment, operating at pace, and working across organisational boundaries and a range of domains.
• Delivering impactful analysis / analytics using large administrative data sets which might include activity, workforce and financial data.
• Leading consultancy projects to meet analysis / analytic needs of customers.
• Improving processes and products (data and analytics related)
• Experience of strategic and operational programme delivery in healthcare, or similar fields.
• Experience of climate change or sustainability and an understanding of the links between climate change and health and strategies to deliver a net zero health service.
• Experience developing and delivering complex national programmes with demonstrable impact.

This is an exciting time to join the programme, following the commitment by the NHS to become the world’s first Net Zero national health system. This commitment and multiyear plan (detailed within ‘Delivering a ‘Net Zero’ National Health Service’) reflects growing evidence of the health impacts of climate change and air pollution, alongside recognition that it is not enough for the NHS to treat the problems caused by air pollution and climate change – from asthma to heart attacks and strokes – it needs to play a part in tackling them at source. The Greener NHS programme works closely with both corporate and regional teams across NHS England and NHS Improvement, with local health systems, Trusts and other stakeholders. We are uniquely placed to understand and reduce the environmental impacts of health and care and save thousands of lives and hospitalisations across the country. 

The role, working alongside a skilled, passionate and friendly team, is based in NHS England and Improvement’s London office. The post holder will also work closely with the WHO Climate Change and Health Unit in the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health. 

International travel to the WHO headquarters in Geneva, to partner countries, and to international meetings (such as the annual UNFCCC COP) will be required from time-to-time.

Application instructions

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