SARAH STEVENSON (BSC, MPH)

Innovative, natural communicator, knowledgeable, adaptable and leader have all been words that colleagues and managers have used to describe me throughout my career. I have international Public Health experience, working in NZ, Australia and the UK. I have a MPH (distinction), BSc (Nutrition). My extroverted communication style supports strong working partnerships, and my logical academic approach underlays the quality product my work produces. My genuine passion to see the health and wellbeing of the population improve by strategic public policy and a supportive environment, effective health and social service provision paired with community development is at the heart of my career.

EXPERIENCE

Health Improvement Specialist at Cambridgeshire County Council (United Kingdom)

March 2014 - Present (1 year 1 month)

This is a dynamic role that includes commissioning, and monitoring contracts relating to public health nutrition (healthy eating), weight manangement (Tiers 1, 2 and 3), NCMP and obesity prevention. Working with colleagues on joint approaches to wider public health issues in areas of tobacco control, smoking cessation (CamQuit), health checks, motivational interviewing and behaviour change, healthy start, breastfeeding, physical activity and sexual health services. Within this role I have been involved with joint strategic needs assessments (JSNA), authoring county wide strategies (eg. obesity and breastfeeding) and contributing to others (eg. public mental health and integrated public health strategy), conducting community impact assesments and applying social marketing principles, community consultations, the competitive tender process to commission both large integrated services and smaller scale targeted services and leading on innovative public health projects. I represent Public Health on a variety of area partnerships and health and well-being groups. This role draws on my strengths as a strategic thinker who can connect well with others to result in momentum towards public health outcomes.

Health Improvement Advisor at Toi Te Ora- Public Health Service (New Zealand)

January 2011 - February 2014 (3 years 2 months)

This role included leading sustainable public health work in various areas including; nutrition, obesity, physical activity, alcohol and drugs and tobacco control. Utilising epidemiological data and needs assesments to develop a strategic response to public health issues.

Health Promotion Coordinator at Rotorua Area Primary Health Service (New Zealand)

July 2010 - December 2010 (6 months)

Lead on Health Improvement in primary care, including writing the first health promotion strategy for the region. Primarily working with GP surgeries to make every contact count, offer brief intervention and improve efficiencies and ways of working, including IT solutions and behaviour change models.

Senior Public Health Nutritionist at Queensland Health (Austrailia)

February 2008 - April 2010 (2 years 3 months)

Key role in the management and development of public health weight management services, managing a team of ten programme coordinators to facilitate the delivery of a cost effective community weight management service across Southern Qld.

QUALIFICATIONS

Masters of Public HealthUniversity of Wollongong (Austraila)2008 - 2010

Bachelor of Science, Human Nutrition.Massey University (New Zealand)2002 - 2005

EXAMPLE OF A PUBLISHED RESOURCE:

Growing Healthy Communitites: Food Security Toolkit for Local Authorities (New Zealand)

SARAH STEVENSON’S TOP 5 STRENGTHS

Gallup Strengths Finder Test results www.strengthsfinder.com

WooWinning Others Over. A friendly nature that others are drawn to.StrategicThe strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It’s a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large.RelatorDescribes your attitude toward your relationships. You find deep satisfaction in working hard with others to achieve a goal.AchieverPeople strong in the achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction of being busy and productive.FocusPeople with the focus can take direction, follow through, and make the corrections necessary to stay on track.

REFERENCES:

NB: contact details will be given as required with permission

Mark Watson Relationship to applicant: Contracts Manager (interim) at Cambridgeshire County Council

Jennifer Murray Relationship to applicant: former Health Improvement Manager at Toi Te Ora- Public Health Service