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
Independent advisory panels for Part IX of the Drug Tariff - members
DHSC is looking to appoint members to the oral, dental, eye, ear and nasal products (ODEEN) independent advisory panel (IAP) for wave 1 renewals of Part IX of the Drug Tariff listings.
Members would need specialist knowledge of medical devices covering eye care, including eye drops and ointments and other eye care products. Please note that at this time we are seeking members to cover eye products only.
To date, medical devices for prescribing outside of hospitals have been listed indefinitely on Part IX of the Drug Tariff. DHSC is introducing renewals of listings and an enhanced assessment framework for products listed on Part IX of the Drug Tariff. As part of this enhanced assessment framework, DHSC is establishing IAPs. The role of IAPs is to review the quality of medical devices listed and to verify the placement of products in the recategorisation on the NHS Drug Tariff.
As a member of an IAP, you will play a key role in the independent assessment of medical devices in line with the enhanced assessment framework. You will score applications and attend virtual moderation meetings with the other panel members and the chairs.
To be considered, applicants need to demonstrate they have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment, including the:
- specialist experience listed above
- experience reviewing clinical evidence
- ability to contribute effectively to meetings, providing constructive challenge and contributions
- ability to work as an individual and as part of a team, with a positive and constructive style and good communication skills
The applicant should not be tied to a commercial company in their primary professional function.
The term of appointment will be up to 4 years (the work will be ad hoc work after the first period (July to August 2026) to assess new applications). Remuneration will be £225 per day - this is optional if for any reason you do not want payment. The estimated time commitment is around 3 to 15 days per year, but this is flexible based on the time you have available and commitment you would like to make. The majority of the hours will be across the first 2-month period in year 1 (July to August 2026). The time commitment will be less for the 3 remaining years of the 4-year appointment.
Further background information on the updates to Part IX of the Drug Tariff can be found on the NHSBSA website.
For further information see the candidate information pack below. To apply, email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to partix-consultation@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, call Amy Redhead on 0207 104 7088 quoting the reference VAC-1867M.
The closing date for applications is midday on 4 March 2026.
Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment - chair
DHSC 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 expertise in:
- cancer or medical toxicology
- environmental epidemiology relating to cancer
- risk assessment of potential carcinogenicity
In addition to the above, all applications must demonstrate:
- 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 judgment 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 per year with additional time for reading and preparation when required. There is no remuneration for this post but expenses will be paid in line with DHSC policy.
For further information, see the candidate information pack below. To apply, email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, call Karen Dinsdale on 0113 254 5625 quoting the reference VAC-EC1871.
The closing date for applications is midday on 10 February 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.