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
National leadership appointments
National leadership appointments are made by the Secretary of State and ministers to provide independent leadership on issues of national importance. Appointees bring together partners across government and beyond, drive delivery, provide constructive challenge and act as visible champions for improving outcomes for the public.
National Dementia Tsar
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is seeking to appoint a National Dementia Tsar to provide visible national leadership and drive improvements in dementia outcomes.
Dementia is one of the most significant health challenges facing the country. This role plays a part in supporting the Prime Minister’s commitment to fix the adult social care system. With the full weight of the government behind it, the role will provide the leadership, focus and accountability needed to drive change with urgency, ambition and sustained focus.
This senior strategic appointment will set clear direction, bring partners together and accelerate delivery across government, the NHS, social care, research, life sciences and the voluntary sector.
Job purpose
You will be responsible for:
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providing visible, authoritative leadership to create a coherent dementia improvement agenda across prevention, timely diagnosis, treatment, care, support, research, innovation and community inclusion
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convening and leading a dementia council to drive a step-change in dementia outcomes, working collaboratively across government, the NHS, social care, local government, industry, academia, the voluntary sector, life sciences and civil society
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driving immediate improvements while setting long-term priorities for a modern, transformed approach to dementia
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driving delivery of the frailty and dementia modern service framework (MSF) priorities, working with the co-chairs of the MSF
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holding the government to account and providing constructive challenge on the delivery of dementia goals and commitments, with direct lines to the Secretary of State
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championing the voices of people living with dementia, families and unpaid carers, and acting as an independent public spokesperson on dementia
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building new partnerships between government, business, academia and civil society or others to support innovation
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leading a cross-Civil Service team to develop and deliver policy
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working with the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network Specialty Lead for dementia and neurodegeneration to ensure strategic oversight of embedding dementia research into routine health and care practice
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publishing an annual report on progress against key workstreams
Person specification
We welcome applications from talented individuals from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Candidates must demonstrate the skills, judgement and credibility to:
- operate at national level
- influence complex systems
- command the confidence of people affected by dementia
- hold public institutions to account
Essential criteria
You must have:
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distinguished senior leadership and delivery experience in national government, health, social care, public policy, local government, research, regulation, life sciences, public service reform or a related field
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the ability to set a clear vision, unite diverse interests, build senior coalitions and secure practical commitments
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evidence of influencing national policy, system reform or major public service delivery
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excellent communication skills, including the ability to speak with authority in public, parliamentary, professional and community settings
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a commitment to involving people living with dementia, families and unpaid carers in decisions that affect them
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experience of using research and evidence to drive change and influence operational practice
Desirable criteria
Ideally, you should also have:
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experience of chairing high-profile boards, commissions, inquiries, reviews, taskforces or national partnerships
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experience of working with research, life sciences, diagnostics, digital innovation or implementation science
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personal or professional insight into the impact of dementia on people with lived experience, families and unpaid carers
Time commitment and remuneration
You will be supported by the Senior Civil Service, a dedicated secretariat staffed by DHSC, various policy and delivery teams, and a dementia council providing specialist advice and insight.
The role reports directly to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
The post will be a 2-year appointment, with the possibility of extension.
The post is designed as a full-time post. However, we recognise that exceptional candidates bring diverse experience and circumstances, and will consider flexible approaches to working arrangements, including part-time hours.
Remuneration is £660 per day.
Selection process
To apply, email your CV and supporting statement (maximum 1,250 words) to dementia.appointments@dhsc.gov.uk.
The closing date for applications is 11:59pm on Thursday 8 October 2026.
Boards and committees
Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment - chair
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is looking to appoint a new chair to the Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC).
COC is an expert advisory committee that provides independent scientific advice to government departments and agencies on matters concerning carcinogenicity risks to humans and advises on whether substances are likely to cause cancer.
As chair of COC, you will provide leadership to the committee to ensure that it works to achieve COC’s objectives in a way that reflects the most recent clinical and scientific advice while maintaining the highest standards in public life.
All applicants must be a recognised scientific or medical expert with a track record of national or international achievement relevant to risk assessment for carcinogenicity and chemicals in the environment or food. This may be through an expertise in cancer or medical toxicology, environmental epidemiology relating to cancer or risk assessment of potential carcinogenicity.
In addition to the above, all applications must demonstrate:
- the ability to lead a national expert scientific committee or advisory committee where you ensure all views are captured and explored and recommendations reflect the collective opinion of the committee
- a strong career track record of leadership and relevant, significant achievements at a senior level
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to gain the confidence of fellow committee members and of the committee’s stakeholders
- sound judgement with an ability to critically analyse a wide range of complex information to make evidence-based decisions and articulate scientific issues and information clearly, comprehensively and concisely
- a commitment to public health issues and public service values
The term of appointment will be 3 years with a time commitment of around 3 meetings a year with additional time for reading and preparation when required. There is no payment for this post, but expenses will be paid in line with UKHSA policy.
For further information see the candidate information pack. To apply, email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, call Ralph Cabrega on 0113 254 5625 quoting the reference VAC EC1875.
The closing date for applications is midday on 18 September 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.