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
Health Data Research Service - chair
The Health Data Research Service (HDRS) was announced by the Prime Minister in April 2025. It will be a new government-owned company set up to deliver a world-class service that will transform access to the UK’s health data. This is an ambitious and unprecedented initiative backed by up to £600 million of funding from the UK government and the Wellcome Trust, which will seek to make the UK’s health data assets interoperable and securely available to researchers to support innovations in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. We’re now beginning recruitment for senior positions to ensure the successful introduction of the service.
The chair will oversee the appointment of a board and chief executive, and the set-up, development and early implementation phase of the HDRS, ensuring that this pioneering organisation is set up for success. The chair will bring strategic oversight and experience in corporate governance, and will steer the early direction of the organisation, ensuring strong board leadership.
The role requires a combination of commercial awareness and financial discipline, data policy and sound governance, to deliver a step change in the UK’s provision of health data for research, driving a revolution in data-driven discovery and innovation.
The role is part-time (approximately 77 days a year) and paid at £50,000 a year plus expenses. The appointment will run from autumn 2025 to autumn 2028. The chair will report to the Department of Health and Social Care Permanent Secretary, so this role is accountable to ministers.
Green Park is managing the recruitment process for this role. See the application pack for details of how to apply. If you require further assistance when making this application, please email Laura Blight (laura.blight@green-park.co.uk) and/or Darcie Stumpf (darcie.stumpf@green-park.co.uk) from our Executive Search partners, Green Park.
If you require an alternative format, please email dhscscsrecruitment@dhsc.gov.uk.
The closing date for applications is 11:59pm on 21 September 2025.
UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board - independent chair
The UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership (PPL) Advisory Board is seeking an exceptional individual to lead the next phase of its ambitious programme to transform pharmacy professional leadership across the UK. As independent chair, you will steer a collaborative, independent board bringing together existing professional leadership bodies and specialist professional groups to deliver the recommendations of the UK Commission on Pharmacy Professional Leadership. This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future voice of pharmacy, supporting the development of new standards, driving improvements in patient care and ensuring the pharmacy professions are equipped to meet evolving healthcare needs.
We are looking for an experienced leader with a distinguished track record in UK healthcare at national level, excellent governance expertise and the credibility to inspire confidence across a diverse professional landscape.
The role is part-time (4 to 6 days per month) and remunerated at £2,000 per month plus expenses. The appointment will run from September 2025 to March 2027. For further information, please see the candidate information pack below. If you require an alternative format, please email dhscscsrecruitment@dhsc.gov.uk.
To apply, please email your CV and a supporting letter in one document to england.cpho-office@nhs.net quoting ‘UK PPL Advisory Board’ in the subject line.
The closing date for applications is 11.59pm on Tuesday 5 August 2025.
Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) - members
DHSC is looking to appoint 4 new expert members to the Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC).
The 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 a member of the COC, you will contribute to the discussions of the committee, working alongside other recognised experts assessing the current issues under consideration while assisting in drafting advice appropriate for wider dissemination to the general public. You will also contribute to the work of COC sub-groups and show a commitment to public health issues and public service values.
You must be able to demonstrate that you have excellent communication skills, sound judgment and sensitivity, together with a strong team approach. You must have excellent analytical skills and the ability to articulate scientific issues and information clearly, comprehensively and concisely. A commitment to public health issues and public service values is essential.
All candidates must be a recognised expert with a track record of national or international achievement in one or more of the following:
- epidemiology - in particular relating to chemical or environmental exposures
- pathology - assessment of chemicals for potential carcinogenicity
- genetic toxicology, cancer biology, cancer toxicology or chemical risk assessment for potential carcinogenicity, including use of new test methods for chemical carcinogenicity
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 please see the candidate information pack below. To apply please email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, please call Karen Dinsdale on 0113 254 5625 quoting the reference ‘VAC - EC1865’.
The closing date for applications is midday on Wednesday 27 August 2025. DHSC values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) - chair
The Department of Health and Social Care is looking to appoint a new chair to the Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC).
The 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 recognised scientific or medical experts with a track record of national or international achievement relevant to risk assessment for carcinogenicity and chemicals in the environment or food, which may be through an expertise in one of the following:
- cancer or medical toxicology
- environmental epidemiology relating to cancer
- risk assessment of potential carcinogenicity
In addition to the above, all applications must demonstrate:
- the ability to chair effective meetings, in particular with a number of experts with knowledge and experience in different complimentary fields, to facilitate discussion among members relevant to the overall purpose of the discussion and to sum up the discussion accurately and succinctly
- excellent communication skills, including to a number of audiences and being able to present consensus views on committee consideration
- sound judgment and sensitivity, together with a strong team approach
- excellent analytical skills and the ability to 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 please see the candidate information pack below. To apply please email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, please call Karen Dinsdale on 0113 254 5625 quoting the reference ‘VAC - EC1864’.
The closing date for applications is midday on Tuesday 16 September 2025. DHSC values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
Monitoring form
DHSC values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
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.