Working for DHSC
We offer a varied, exciting, challenging and rewarding working environment.
Previous experience in a government department is not essential: our staff have backgrounds in the voluntary, public and private sectors.
Jobs at the Department of Health and Social Care
We are currently recruiting to a variety of roles. Visit the Civil Service Jobs website for more details and to apply.
All Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) jobs are advertised on the Civil Service Jobs website. We also advertise in national and local media.
Vacancies on DHSC’s expert committees and other non-standard advisory roles are listed below. If there are no vacancies listed below, then we are not currently recruiting to any roles on our expert committees.
Vacancies on the boards of our arm’s length bodies are listed on the Public Appointments website.
DHSC values and promotes diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity for all.
Pay
We provide:
- a competitive salary that is reviewed annually
- the opportunity to earn performance awards
- an occupational pension when you join DHSC
Employee benefits and rewards
Employee benefits and rewards include:
- an employee discount scheme
- childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare scheme for eligible employees
- an employee assistance programme providing confidential advice, information and counselling
- the option to join a trade union
- an in-year award scheme for one-off exceptional personal or team achievements
- sick leave on full pay, followed by half pay, up to the maximum allowed by the relevant scheme
Flexibility
Flexibilities include:
- up to 30 days annual leave and 9 days public and privilege leave in a year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- time off to deal with emergencies, unexpected situations and certain other unplanned special circumstances
- paid time off for public service duties, for example if you are an armed forces reservist
- family-friendly policies, including flexible working patterns
- flexible working hours, subject to business needs
Family-friendly policies
Eligible employees are entitled to:
- maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
- paternity leave of up to 2 weeks full pay
Development and career opportunities
We offer:
- rewarding and challenging jobs to help you develop and reach your potential
- a comprehensive range of learning and development opportunities to help you develop your skills, knowledge and experience
Boards and committees
UK PharmaScan Oversight and Governance Committee - chair
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is looking to appoint a chair of the UK PharmaScan Oversight and Governance Committee (OGC). UK PharmaScan is a key part of the UK medicines architecture and the chair will oversee the development of a new UK PharmaScan system and will be required to work closely with policy makers, horizon scanning organisations, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and industry to ensure that UK PharmaScan is fully integrated into evolving plans for horizon scanning strategy in the UK.
The chair will be responsible for:
- setting the strategic direction for the future of UK PharmaScan to ensure that it remains fit for purpose in relation to UK horizon scanning activity
- championing UK PharmaScan and horizon scanning within the UK healthcare landscape and globally to the pharmaceutical industry
- providing oversight to the development and delivery of a new UK PharmaScan system, with support from members of the OGC
- contributing to the evolution of a more strategic and co-ordinated approach to horizon scanning across the UK
- chairing meetings of the OGC up to 4 times a year and involvement in the governance for delivery of the new UK PharmaScan, as required
We are looking for an individual with the following essential attributes:
- excellent leadership skills, with experience of chairing senior level boards or committees
- good understanding of the UK pharmaceutical market and NHS access environment, including horizon scanning
- track record of delivering results within the healthcare system
- understanding of technology and technology change programmes
The following is desirable:
- strong networks within key statutory organisations, including National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), NHS England, Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) and DHSC
The length of the appointment will be 3 years. The time commitment for the role is expected to be 2 to 3 days per month.
To apply, please send a CV and supporting statement to mbnicesponsorteam@dhsc.gov.uk
The closing date for applications is midday on 15 April 2025.
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition - members
DHSC is looking to appoint scientific and lay members to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). SACN is a UK-wide advisory committee set up to advise the UK governments on nutrition-related matters. SACN is made up of scientific specialists from a range of relevant disciplines and lay members.
We are aiming to recruit a minimum of 5 (up to 8) scientific members and one lay member.
Scientific members
Applications are sought from registered nutritionists, public health nutritionists, clinicians and researchers. We encourage applications from senior and mid-career scientists from the UK and internationally, in particular those with specialist knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
- practising paediatric clinician
- macronutrients particularly energy and/or protein
- dietary assessment (particularly mis-reporting)
- nutrition and sustainability and/or plant-based nutrition
- dental health
We would also be interested in applications from scientists with the following areas of expertise:
- international nutrition perspective (applicable to the UK)
- wider clinical expertise in adults
- nutrient-gene interactions
- food science expertise
- micronutrients
We are seeking applications from members of the scientific community with:
- a good understanding of the UK public health aspects of your area of expertise from the list above. This includes experience of working with diverse and vulnerable population groups
- a track record of significant achievement and personal effectiveness in one or more of the above specialist areas
- an ability to contribute robust technical views in the areas above
- high-level committee or board experience
Lay members
Scientific advisory committees have at least one lay member whose role is to challenge the committees to consider the needs of non-specialists and to ensure effective communication of the risk assessment advice.
We are seeking applications from members of the public with:
- committee or board experience
- experience of scrutinising complex documents, ensuring clarity and accessibility
- a general awareness of current food and nutritional issues and an appreciation of the wider public perceptions of these
- a track record of significant achievement and personal effectiveness
How to apply
More information on the roles, the criteria we are looking for, how to apply and how we will assess applicants can be found in the information pack for applicants.
You will be paid £300 per full day meeting with a time commitment of approximately 10 days per year. The majority of SACN meetings are held online via Microsoft Teams. Appointments are likely to be up to a maximum of 3 years in the first instance and will be determined by the Senior Responsible Officer for SACN.
DHSC values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, and both within and outside the UK. Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK. Applicants will be asked to declare any potential conflicts of interests.
If you have any queries or difficulties accessing any of the documents, contact sacn.recruitment@dhsc.gov.uk.
The closing date for applications is midday on 14 April 2025.
Monitoring form
DHSC values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
Complete the monitoring form as part of your application. You can complete it in Word or PDF.
Jobs in the NHS
If you’re interested in working for the NHS, see the NHS Jobs website.