Careers
Public Health Wales is a purpose-driven, people-focused organisation. We set clear expectations about how we work, value compassion and collaboration, and take responsibility for how we work and the impact we have.
We exist to help all people in Wales live longer, healthier lives by protecting and improving health and wellbeing, reducing inequalities and supporting healthier futures for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.
What we do
At Public Health Wales, we work across disciplines to turn our purpose into action. Our teams collaborate across science, data and intelligence, policy, laboratory services, research and system leadership to address some of the most complex public health challenges facing Wales.
From shaping national policy on health inequalities, to protecting communities through a range of public health services, to using evidence and insight to support prevention, our work spans the full public health system and relies on collaboration across organisational and professional boundaries.
Across Wales and beyond, our work is informed by our role as a trusted voice in public health, with a clear focus on impact for the people and communities we serve.
What it’s like to work here
You’ll join an organisation where:
- Collaboration, trust and respect shape the way we work
- Diverse perspectives are valued and everyone is encouraged to speak up
- Learning, reflection and development are supported
- Flexible, agile working is the norm, balanced with accountability
With roles across many professions and levels, you’ll work on meaningful challenges and make a real impact throughout your career.
Our values and behaviours
- Working together
- With trust and respect
- To make a difference
Our values guide how we work and make decisions. Our Being Our Best behaviours set clear expectations for colleagues, people managers and leaders, helping us bring our values to life and create an inclusive, supportive environment where colleagues are encouraged to learn, improve and make a difference.
We’re looking for people who value compassion and collaboration, act with integrity, are open to learning, and are willing to challenge themselves and others respectfully to improve outcomes and make a positive difference.
How we work
Our values and behaviours are supported by practical ways of working that help people do their best work.
Flexible and inclusive ways of working
We recognise that people work best in different ways, and that flexibility looks different depending on the role and the service. Our approach to agile working, Work How It Works Best, focuses on finding the right balance between organisational and service needs, effective team working, and individual wellbeing.
We support a range of flexible working arrangements wherever possible and encourage open, ongoing conversations about what works best. Flexible working works best when it supports team connection, learning and wellbeing, and as needs change over time, we encourage regular discussion to help get the balance right.
Growing People and Teams
We invest in colleagues at every stage of their career, including those leading teams and services. This includes structured leadership and management development, support for team development and opportunities to build influence through people management, specialist roles, and roles that shape services, policy and outcomes across the wider system.
Our development offer supports colleagues to build capability and confidence over time through high-quality professional development and opportunities to learn through experience, collaboration with others and formal development.
Welsh language
We are proud to be a bilingual organisation and are committed to supporting the use and development of the Welsh language in everything we do.
Many of our roles offer opportunities to use Welsh in your day-to-day work, and some require Welsh language skills. We value these skills and support colleagues to develop
them through learning opportunities and our Welsh language staff network. Where relevant, Welsh language skills may be taken into account during recruitment, with full details outlined in each job advert and person specification.
Find out more about Welsh language at Public Health Wales
Staff diversity networks
Our staff diversity networks play an important role in building an inclusive culture at Public Health Wales. They provide peer support and safe spaces for colleagues and allies to connect, share experiences and support one another.
We currently have the following staff diversity networks:
- Enfys – LGBTQ+ network
- We Care – Carers network
- Women’s Network
- REACH – Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage network
- Porffor – Disabled staff network
- Ymlaen – Welsh language network
- Men’s Network
Members actively shape policy, practice and leadership thinking, and are part of how we listen, learn and improve as an organisation.
Our benefits and wellbeing
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your health, wellbeing and life outside work.
What we offer
- Flexible and hybrid working options
- Learning, development and career progression
- Health, financial and wellbeing support services, including a confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and access to the Stream financial wellbeing app
- Inclusive policies and supportive staff networks
- NHS pension scheme
- Generous annual leave
- Salary sacrifice benefits, including lease car and cycle schemes
Wellbeing and support
We support colleagues to maintain a healthy balance between work and life, with access to support that promotes physical, mental, emotional and financial wellbeing.
We aim to create an environment where people feel respected, listened to and supported, and are able to do their best work for the people of Wales.
Living and working in Wales
With vibrant cities, stunning landscapes and welcoming communities, Wales offers an excellent quality of life.
Whether you’re drawn to coastal living, mountain views or city culture, Wales makes it easy to balance work with life.
Why Wales?
- Strong communities and rich culture
- A bilingual nation with a distinctive identity
- Lower average housing costs compared to many other UK regions
- Easy access to countryside, coastline and cities
- A growing capital city in Cardiff with excellent transport links
Public Health Wales roles are based across the country, offering opportunities to live and work in locations that suit you.
If you’re considering relocating, you can find out more about living in Wales on the Welsh Government’s Thinking of moving to Wales? website.
To explore roles and different types of career opportunities at Public Health Wales, you can sign up for job alerts to be notified when new opportunities become available at Public Health Wales.