Chief of Staff - Band 8d

ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY

The Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation. The Chief of Staff is a senior strategic leadership role operating at the heart of the organisation and across the wider system. The postholder will act as a trusted partner to the Chief Executive and Executive Team, supporting them to lead effectively across internal and external agendas. The role spans strategy, governance, delivery and influence, with a particular emphasis on external engagement, political interface, system working and executive coordination. The Chief of Staff will ensure the organisation is well-positioned, well-connected and effective in its relationships with system partners, including local government, elected representatives and the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. The postholder will support prioritisation of executive business, provide high-quality advice and briefings, and translate national policy and system expectations into clear, actionable recommendations for the Executive Team and Board. The role will also provide leadership for the External Affairs and Policy function, ensuring consistent and effective engagement across the system and supporting improved decision-making and organisational performance. As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the Executive Director Corporate Services in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan: From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning. From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health. From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence-based improvement.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:

• Policy and service development
• Analysis of complex qualitative and quantitative data relating to organisational performance, system engagement, political context and external affairs
• Taking high-level policy commitments from NHS strategies, including the ICB strategy and the 10 Year Health Plan, and turning them into programmes that will deliver improved outcomes and sustainable services for the local population
• Development and oversight of relevant ICB policies
• Use research and innovation to inform service improvements or performance management
• Strategy and analysis Use of complex health data sets, including those relating to performance across activity, finance and quality to inform decision making
• Analysis of large volumes of complex qualitative and quantitative data relating to external affairs
• Turning analysis into useful insights that can inform decision making
• Present highly complex data, information and insights, including qualitative and quantitative data, through clear and simple written and verbal briefings
• Use of Population Health Management methodologies and tools to inform projects and programmes that will improve outcomes for patients and sustainability of health services
• Planning and organisation Develop project and programme plans to drive delivery of complex programmes relating to executive priorities and external affairs
• Develop and oversee annual business plan for the Chief of Staff and External Affairs function
• Manage delivery against agreed project / programme plan, ensuring appropriate governance, risk management, escalations and reporting
• Develop and oversee annual business plan for External Affairs team
• Communications and Partnerships Work collaboratively, modelling inclusive, respectful and compassionate leadership Listen effectively to a broad range of perspectives, including staff, patients and the public, to inform decision making Manage complex and contentious situations with stakeholders Build strong, trust-based relationships across the ICB, with NHS providers, local government, VCFSE partners and communities as needed Effective engagement with patients and the public as required Work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams to enable the collective ownership and delivery of complex programmes that are seeking to improve outcomes, reduce inequalities and deliver a sustainable health and care system Sharing complex and challenging information which may relate to service performance or staffing Manage conflict, find compromise and build consensus where needed to drive progress in delivery
• Financial and resource management Responsible for management of budget for the External Affairs and Chief of Staff function, including budget setting and accountability for delivery Ensures effective commissioning of relevant services Team management and capability building Develop and lead the External Affairs team of 2 people, including overseeing recruitment, onboarding, development and performance management of team members Support staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transition Support the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB Blueprint Work collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangements Maintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transition Act as Information Asset Owner (IAO) where nominated to do so by the Executive or senior leadership team, taking responsibility for the management of information assets created and utilised by the team Other Use initiative and work autonomously to deliver on requirements of the role Primarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetings Able to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel) Flexibility and evolving responsibilities As the ICB continues to evolve, all senior leader portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organization, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the health and care system.

• Chief Executive and Executive Team
• ICB senior leadership and Board members
• Chief Executives Office
• Local Authority leaders and senior officers
• Members of Parliament and elected representatives
• NHS Providers and system partners
• VCSE sector organisations and networks
• NHSE regional and national teams
• Communications, Strategy and Corporate Governance teams