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The Health Foundation is an independent charity committed to bringing about better health and health care for people in the UK. Our aim is a healthier population, supported by high quality health care that can be equitably accessed. From giving grants to those working at the front line to carrying out research and policy analysis, we shine a light on how to make successful change happen.
We make links between the knowledge we gain from working with those delivering health and health care and our research and analysis. Our aspiration is to crate a virtuous circle, using what we know works on the ground to inform effective policymaking and vice versa.
We believe good health and health care are key to a flourishing society. Through sharing what we learn, collaborating with others and building people’s skills and knowledge, we aim to make a difference and contribute to a healthier population.
About the Data Analytics Team
We have a track record in using data to tackle real-world problems, through our in-
house programmes, our partnerships, and the work we do to support better analytics to improve health and care. Our mission is to ensure that analytics and data-driven technology benefits the health of everyone in the UK. We are committed to open analytics and to involving patients and the public in our work.
We know that there is enormous potential to use data to improve health and reduce health inequalities. Robust data and analysis are critical to efforts to improve health and care. Our analysis helps to signal where key health challenges lie, evaluate complex initiatives in health and care to support learning and improvement, and champion the use of data and analytics to inform health and care policy.
Health Foundation internships - overview
Health Foundation internships offer an exciting opportunity for people who are enthusiastic about health and public policy and who want to learn more. Postholders on our Internship Programme will work on projects spanning a broad array of topic areas in roles covering research, analysis, project management and writing.
Interns will have the opportunity to learn about health and care, health policy, and the use of data, research and evidence to bring about change. They will receive mentoring for the duration of the placement and will benefit from tailored development opportunities as well as on the job experience and skills developed as a result of their project work at the Foundation
This role is an excellent stepping stone and fantastic opportunity to gain a broad range of experience relevant to working in data analysis and policy in a supportive, creative and collaborative environment. In return, the intern will be expected to bring enthusiasm, curiosity and a flexible approach to their work.
Previous interns have been able to use the skills developed at the Health Foundation to gain employment in policy, programme management and strategy roles in a wide range of organisations including national and local government, think tanks, arms-length bodies such as NHS England and political roles. More information on what previous interns have been doing and their reflections on what they have learned during this experience is available in the advert for this role.
Benefits of the internship in the Data Analytics Team
The intern role will offer a range of opportunities including:
Understanding how to design a data analytics project that addresses a policy- relevant question in UK health and care
Developing skills needed to deliver data analytics projects using on-the-job learning with real-world data
A good understanding of how large organisations work and the importance of having a clear strategy, governance and internal processes.
Opportunities to network with external stakeholders in a range of organisations and develop professional contacts in the health sector and beyond.
Guidance on how to develop a career in health data science / data analytics.
Understanding of the data governance requirements that exist in the UK, as well as
data security.
Key responsibilities of the intern in the Data Analytics team
The intern will be allocated a mixture of tasks, having the opportunity to work on longer term projects as well as more reactive analytical work.
Key tasks and responsibilities will include:
- Scoping datasets and learning about the strengths and limitations of different data sources
Monitoring upcoming data releases from various sources to assist with the team’s reactive work.
Conducting quantitative analysis of public datasets and statistical publications to support various projects on health and care
Designing and producing data visualisations for a range of audiences
Providing other research and analysis support to the team as required, such as
conducting literature reviews or quality assuring data and code.
Contributing to the drafting of external reports, briefings and blogs, and to internal
updates and reports.
Providing project management support to senior staff and managing the development
of timelines, coordinating inputs from internal and external colleagues and identifying
and highlighting risks.
Participating in the continuous improvement of the Data Analytics team and the wider
Health Foundation. This will include proactively identifying opportunities to improve internal ways of working. Examples may include improving open analytics or drafting core briefings on areas of the team’s work to support internal communications across the organisation.
Providing advice and support, as appropriate, on other projects commissioned by the Foundation.
Ensuring that the Foundation’s commitment to social justice and responsiveness to cultural diversity is demonstrated in all activities the interns are involved in.
*Full-time team members work 37.5 hours per week and with hybrid working those hours can be done any time between 7am – 7pm. Core working hours are 10am – 3pm. For this role we would need a minimum of 1 day in our London office, in line with our hybrid working framework.*
Wider contribution
As with other staff at the Foundation, the postholder will be expected to contribute to corporate activities and initiatives, such as staff meetings, cross-Foundation leadership and development programmes and other corporate projects as necessary.
The post holder will at all times show a commitment to diversity and inclusion and will aim to embed our key behaviours – Working together, Achieving impact and Discovering and learning – in all aspects of their day to day delivery in the role.
We value equality, diversity and inclusion, and welcome applications from different backgrounds. We are also committed to making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have accessibility requirements.
Candidates should have the right to work in the UK at the time of appointment.
