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
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 4 February 2026.
Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens - chair
DHSC is looking to appoint a chair to the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP). The chair leads ACDP in the provision of the scientific risk assessment and mitigation advice on the risks posted to public health by dangerous pathogens, both known and newly emerging.
The main areas of responsibility are to:
- provide leadership to the group to ensure that it works to achieve ACDP’s objectives in a way that reflects the highest standards in public life and the most recent clinical and scientific advice
- establish and manage appropriate subgroups
- take personal responsibility for the effective functioning of ACDP and to be responsible to members of ACDP and its subgroups and other interested parties for communicating the committee’s advice
- provide briefing and advice on hazards and risks from exposure to pathogens
Candidates must be able to demonstrate they have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment. They must have a strong career track record of leadership and relevant, significant achievements at a senior level. They must demonstrate the ability to lead a national committee, where all views are captured and explored, and recommendations reflect the collective opinion of the committee. They must have sound judgement, with an ability to critically analyse a wide range of complex information to make evidence-based decisions. Finally, they must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to gain the confidence of fellow committee members and of the committee’s stakeholders.
The time commitment for the role is approximately 3 meetings per year plus subgroup meetings which all require additional time for reading and preparation. There is no remuneration for this role, but expenses will be paid in line with DHSC policy. The proposed length of term for new appointments is generally 3 years.
For more information, please 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 Ralph Cabrega on 0113 254 5481 or Rachael Gingell on 020 7484 9424 quoting the reference VAC-EC1868.
The closing date for applications is midday on 2 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.