The Public Health Foundation Programme is aimed at people with limited public health work experience who are considering a postgraduate degree or career in public health. Public Health Programme Assistants can gain first-hand experience in a fast-moving Public Health team in a local government setting during a full-time short-term placement.
About the programme
The programme provides a broad experience of public health functions and allows the Public Health Programme Assistant to:
- develop an understanding of public health and experience within a local public health operational environment
- develop core skills and provide both operational and technical support to the department in delivering a range of projects and programmes
- support the equitable and evidence-based delivery of council, NHS, and other services to promote better health and wellbeing and to reduce health inequalities in Southwark
About the role
The post-holder will report to a Public Health Policy and Programme Officer or Health Intelligence Analyst, with appropriate senior support provided by the relevant Senior Programme Manager or Consultant. Some of the projects undertaken by Public Health Programme Assistants in the past have included:
- Supporting the development of the Cook and Eat project, which improves the asylum seeker and refugee population groups access to healthier food
- Supporting commissioning and delivery of a targeted male suicide prevention campaign through outreach, media and peer-led mental health initiatives in Southwark
- Co-producing and commissioning creative mental health interventions to combat health inequalities experienced by vulnerable groups who are at higher risk of severe mental health conditions and social isolation
- Providing support on the Southwark Maternity Commission with report writing, needs analysis and action planning
- Supporting the evaluation of enhanced NHS Health Checks in Southwark, focusing on cancer screening and lung health through quantitative data analysis, conducting interviews and qualitative analysis of it plus partnership working
Please refer to our frequently asked questions (PDF, 148 KB) for more information.
Autumn 2025 Recruitment
Recruitment for the next round of the Public Health Foundation Programme will take place in July 2025.
The current recruitment timetable (subject to change) is as follows:
- Advert opens: Wednesday 16 July 2025
- Advert closing date and time: Wednesday 23 July 2025 at 11.59pm
- Interview date: Monday 11, Tuesday 12 or Wednesday 13 August 2025 (in person at 160 Tooley Street, London SE1 2QH)
You can find the job advert on our Southwark Jobs website.
Information webinar
We're offering an online information session about the programme on Thursday 17 July between midday and 12.45pm.
Join this information session if you want to:
- learn more about the role and the programme
- get some tips on writing a good application
- have an opportunity to ask questions