Job summary
THIS POST IS FIXED TERM/SECONDMENT FOR 12 MONTHS DUE TO SECONDMENT COVER.
The post-holder will be a key member of scientific staff within the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) and the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC), which are based within the Public Health Wales Health Protection Division. They will work closely with senior scientists, senior epidemiologists, clinical team members, microbiologists, analysts, project support teams and other stakeholders, to develop new surveillance systems, expand on existing ones and provide analytical support during outbreak and major event situations. The post-holder will take a lead on discrete projects and reports and help ensure that analytical and reporting deadlines are met.
Main duties of the job
The Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) of Public Health Wales has provided system leadership and support for vaccination programmes across Wales since 2005. VPDP provides clinical, scientific and epidemiological advice to a range of stakeholders, which includes Welsh Government and Health Boards in Wales. VPDP is a multidisciplinary team including scientists, epidemiologists, clinicians, engagement specialists and project support specialists. VPDP leads on surveillance and epidemiological investigation on vaccine programmes, vaccine preventable diseases and acute respiratory infections, working closely with CDSC.
CDSC is the epidemiological investigation and surveillance arm of the Health Protection Division. It carries out surveillance of communicable disease and infections in Wales; provides support for the Health Protection Teams in outbreak investigation and control; provides health intelligence on communicable disease matters, supports environmental public health surveillance; and carries out applied research. CDSC has 5 specialty groups, and 4 cross-cutting groups: 1. Healthcare associated infections, antimicrobial resistance and bioinformatics, 2. Blood borne viruses, sexual health, TB and Inequalities, 3. Gastrointestinal and emerging infections and zoonoses, 4. Vaccine preventable disease and respiratory infection and 5. Field epidemiology, research and training.
About us
We are Public Health Wales - the national public health organisation for Wales. Our purpose is 'working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help all people in Wales live longer, healthier lives. With our partners, we aim to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.
Together, our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the main source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change.
Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit https://phw.nhs.wales/careers/
For guidance on the application process, please visithttps://phw.nhs.wales/working-for-us/applicant-information-and-guidance/
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A first degree in a scientific discipline
- Post graduate qualification in public health, epidemiology, statistics or related subject or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Strong background in a biological science or health related field
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience of scientific or information analysis work
- Experience of working with large or complex data sets
- Experience of producing written reports for publication and working to deadlines
- Experience of project based working
Desirable
- Experience of working in epidemiology, medical statistics, microbiology or public health
- Experience of communicating information to scientific audiences, external partners and the public
- Experience of research and development
Skills
Essential
- Skilled in use of data analysis and statistical software packages e.g. STATA, SPSS, R, Epidata
- Excellent analytical and epidemiological skills including statistical analysis and data interpretation
- Good IT skills including interrogating databases
- Excellent written communication skills, including report writing and presentation of data in appropriate formats
- Ability to plan and organise a number of concurrent projects.
- Ability to self-manage workload, work to agreed objectives, set priorities and meet deadlines
- Ability to contribute to and evaluate peer reviewed papers
Desirable
- Skilled in mapping and data visualisation software
- Ability to speak Welsh or willingness to learn
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of epidemiological principles
- A broad basic knowledge of information governance, data security and privacy issues
Desirable
- Knowledge of health service organisation in Wales
- Basic knowledge of Public Health
Personal Attributes/Other
Essential
- Able to work independently and as a member of a team, with high levels of motivation
- Able to engage with people at all levels
- Able to respond calmly to unpredictable work patterns and meet urgent deadlines
- Conscientious and pays attention to detail
- Flexible, adaptable and innovative approach to work
- Ability to maintain required levels of confidentiality
Other
Essential
- Commitment to continuous personal development
- Prepared to travel
- Willing to work flexible hours if required to meet the needs of the service
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A first degree in a scientific discipline
- Post graduate qualification in public health, epidemiology, statistics or related subject or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Strong background in a biological science or health related field
Experience
Essential
- Post graduate experience of scientific or information analysis work
- Experience of working with large or complex data sets
- Experience of producing written reports for publication and working to deadlines
- Experience of project based working
Desirable
- Experience of working in epidemiology, medical statistics, microbiology or public health
- Experience of communicating information to scientific audiences, external partners and the public
- Experience of research and development
Skills
Essential
- Skilled in use of data analysis and statistical software packages e.g. STATA, SPSS, R, Epidata
- Excellent analytical and epidemiological skills including statistical analysis and data interpretation
- Good IT skills including interrogating databases
- Excellent written communication skills, including report writing and presentation of data in appropriate formats
- Ability to plan and organise a number of concurrent projects.
- Ability to self-manage workload, work to agreed objectives, set priorities and meet deadlines
- Ability to contribute to and evaluate peer reviewed papers
Desirable
- Skilled in mapping and data visualisation software
- Ability to speak Welsh or willingness to learn
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of epidemiological principles
- A broad basic knowledge of information governance, data security and privacy issues
Desirable
- Knowledge of health service organisation in Wales
- Basic knowledge of Public Health
Personal Attributes/Other
Essential
- Able to work independently and as a member of a team, with high levels of motivation
- Able to engage with people at all levels
- Able to respond calmly to unpredictable work patterns and meet urgent deadlines
- Conscientious and pays attention to detail
- Flexible, adaptable and innovative approach to work
- Ability to maintain required levels of confidentiality
Other
Essential
- Commitment to continuous personal development
- Prepared to travel
- Willing to work flexible hours if required to meet the needs of the service
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
