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.