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
National Cancer Board - co-chair
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is looking to appoint an independent co-chair of the reformed National Cancer Board (NCB). The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting and monitoring delivery commitments set out in the National Cancer Plan.
The National Cancer Plan for England (launched February 2026) is a 10-year strategy aiming to transform cancer survival rates to meet international standards by 2035. The National Cancer Plan has a significant number of delivery commitments agreed by ministers. One of the commitments is to set up the reformed National Cancer Board and recruit an independent co-chair.
As the co-chair you will work with the chair (Mark Cubbon) and members of the reformed NCB. The chairs will jointly take responsibility for providing leadership, overseeing that the commitments in the National Cancer Plan are achieved and providing updates to ministers.
As the co-chair you will be responsible for:
- providing strong leadership to co-ordinate and bring together relevant delivery partners in DHSC, NHS England and partners from across several organisations to help deliver the commitments and ambitions set out in the National Cancer Plan
- contributing to the effective implementation of the National Cancer Plan, agreeing goals, programme plans and objectives
- monitoring and reviewing performance against delivery milestones, including ensuring that risk management systems are robust and effective
- working collaboratively and constructively with board members to agree evidence-based recommendations and to shape the National Cancer Plan annual progress report
- chairing meetings of the NCB up to 4 times a year and involvement in the governance for delivery of the National Cancer Plan as required
Person specification
To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the following qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for the appointment, including:
- the ability to influence and provide challenge. We are looking for someone from outside the system who is confident in putting forward and supporting new ways of doing things
- the ability to effectively chair meetings and demonstrate excellent governance experience. We are looking for someone with strong executive chairing skills and experience of working on a wide-ranging programme
- a good understanding of the health sector. We are looking for someone who has strong knowledge of the health sector and a good understanding of cancer and of how the NHS works, to be able to provide credible challenge and provide ministers with clear and practical advice
It is desirable that you have strong networks within relevant statutory organisations across the health sector and cancer charities.
Time commitment and pay
It is anticipated that there will be a minimum of 12 days required over the course of the next 18 months. Ministers will determine the length of the appointment, which is expected to be up to 3 years.
NCB meetings will be held quarterly with 2 days per quarter preparation time and chairing the board, in addition to 4 days providing strategic support, including delivery of an annual review.
The annual pay is £6,900.
To apply, send a CV and supporting statement to ncb@dhsc.gov.uk.
The closing date for applications is 11:59pm on 16 April 2026.
Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment - members
DHSC is looking to appoint 4 members to the Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COM) as follows:
- 3 expert members
- a lay member
COM advises government on the mutagenicity of chemicals used in pesticides, pharmaceuticals and other products. It provides independent advice to government departments and agencies on the potential mutagenicity and genotoxicity of chemicals (whether they are likely to cause mutation in cells), from natural products to new synthetic chemicals used in pesticides or pharmaceuticals. It also advises on strategies and research for genotoxicity testing.
As a member of COM, you will be expected to contribute to the discussions of the committee working alongside recognised experts who assess other aspects of the detailed technical data on genotoxins under consideration. You must also consider detailed statements, conclusions and draft texts within your specialism if the need arises.
All candidates must be able to demonstrate:
- a strong track record of relevant, significant achievements at a senior level
- the ability to operate effectively on a national expert scientific committee where you can offer advice and constructive challenge and accept challenge from others
- sound judgement, with an ability to critically analyse a wide range of complex information and make evidence-based recommendations
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to gain the confidence of fellow committee members and of the committee’s stakeholders
In addition, for the expert member roles applicants must have a track record of achievement in one or more of the following fields:
- genetic toxicology
- carcinogenesis
- toxicokinetics and metabolism
- computational toxicology and quantitative structure activity relationships (QSARs)
- epigenetics and trans-generational effects
- reproductive or developmental toxicology
Lay member applicants must have:
- a good track record of communicating scientific issues to a non-technical audience
- experience in the assessment and interpretation of data, and strong analytical skills
For further information about the role and the criteria, see the candidate information pack below.
There is no pay for these roles. The time commitment is around 3 meetings per year.
If you require an alternative format, call Ralph Cabrega on 0113 254 5481 or Ben Jones on 0113 254 6557 quoting the reference EC1872.
The closing date for applications is midday on 30 April 2026.
Monitoring form
DHSC values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community. The boards of public bodies should reflect the population they are there to serve. Boards also benefit from fresh perspectives, and we are always keen to encourage candidates new to public appointments to consider applying for our roles.
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.