Job summary
Public Health Wales provides integrated health protection services to the people of Wales, through information, advice and taking action to protect people from communicable disease and environmental hazards. Services are delivered through health protection teams, a range of national health protection programmes, the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC), the environmental health protection team and a national network of microbiology/ reference/ specialist laboratory services.
The Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) is the epidemiology and surveillance branch of the Health Protection Division. This post is a senior role in CDSC with a responsibility to lead departmental work supporting routine surveillance, field epidemiology investigations, and provide management and support to the field epidemiology team. The post holder will lead a team of epidemiologists and analysts to maintain existing outbreak response and surveillance systems, develop new systems, supervise field epidemiology investigations, manage the outbreak rota, and engage in teaching and research.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will have advanced knowledge in the field of health protection and communicable diseases. They will use highly developed skills in epidemiology, research and scientific communication to generate and lead epidemiological work, and communicate findings to stakeholders, including the public, health professionals within Public Health Wales, the NHS, Health Boards and Welsh Government.
The post holder will have a role in developing and delivering training on a variety of scientific topics. To do this the post-holder will be required to liaise with individuals from varied backgrounds in a range of organisations.
The post holder will be required to line manage and/or co-ordinate work of junior team members. They will be required to train staff, supervise or mentor junior staff and demonstrate specific tasks or work as required to others.
The post holder will contribute to Public Health Wales's Research Strategy by identifying knowledge gaps in healthcare settings, and undertaking research & development activities that may include the preparation of applications for funding. They will be expected to work within any budgets set by the department but will be expected to make recommendations on the most appropriate allocation of resource.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
Public Health Wales is the National Public Health Institute in Wales. Our vision is 'Working to achieve a healthier future for Wales' where we play a pivotal role in driving improvements in population health and well-being, reducing health inequalities, improving healthcare outcomes, protecting the public and supporting the development of health in all policies across Wales. 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, the benefits we offer and guidance on the application process, please visit https://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.
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.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An undergraduate degree, or equivalent, in a numerate, scientific or health related discipline.
- A Masters qualification in epidemiology, Public Health or related field or equivalent experience
- Demonstrable advanced training/ experience in public health, health protection or epidemiology
Desirable
- Evidence of qualification/training in programme or project management
- Evidence of management / leadership training
Experience
Essential
- Clearly able to demonstrate a rich experience of utilising large and highly complex public health and related datasets to answer epidemiological / public health related questions and of the design and development of surveillance systems
- Experience of field epidemiology investigation methods
- Experience of complex team work planning tasks
- Experience of working in public health, NHS or a related area
- Experience of communicating information to clinical and non-clinical staff, external partners and the public
- Experience in the training and development of others
- Writing peer-reviewed publications
- Presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc
- Experience of writing in a range of styles from brief summaries through to in-depth technical reports
Desirable
- Experience of research and development
- Experience in line management, staff development and training
- Experience in programme or project management
Skills
Essential
- Highly numerate with advanced skills in epidemiological and statistical analysis and interpretation of data
- Report writing skills
- Excellent computer literacy skills including advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications
- Able to engage and negotiate with stakeholders to understand and deliver service requirements
- Ability to develop and deliver complex presentations to large audiences
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate at local, regional and national level
- Evidence of people management skills
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to meet tight and challenging deadlines, managing complex and multiple pieces of work
- Field investigation skills including interviewing patients and site visits
Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced knowledge of epidemiological principles and their application to communicable disease surveillance and control
- Knowledge and experience of specialist computer software, such as R studio, SQL, Statistical or GIS systems, for the production of complex epidemiological analyses of public health and related data.
- Clear understanding of current and ongoing issues in health protection and epidemiology
- Knowledge of data security and confidentiality issues
- Knowledge and experience of statistical techniques and procedures, and their application in the field of public health epidemiology and surveillance
Desirable
- Knowledge of management and development techniques
- Knowledge of data science approaches
- Knowledge of bioinformatics and genomics
Personal Attributes (Demonstrable)
Essential
- Able to act independently, with some guidance from line manager, based on sound understanding of general policies and principles as well as being a member of, and contributing to, the all Wales team
- Conscientious and proven team worker with the ability to engage with people at all levels
- Able to multi-task in a fluid environment, able to prioritise, plan and manage workload, managing complex and multiple pieces of work/projects and working to deadlines
- Able to lead and to support team members especially when they are placed under pressure
- Able to deal with personnel issues and performance management
- Able to negotiate effectively with service users who may be perceived as difficult
Desirable
- A willingness to further develop and lead others in adapting to change
Other
Essential
- Willingness to travel to and attend meetings
- Flexible approach to work to meet the needs of the service
Desirable
- Travel between sites where necessary
- Welsh speaker
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- An undergraduate degree, or equivalent, in a numerate, scientific or health related discipline.
- A Masters qualification in epidemiology, Public Health or related field or equivalent experience
- Demonstrable advanced training/ experience in public health, health protection or epidemiology
Desirable
- Evidence of qualification/training in programme or project management
- Evidence of management / leadership training
Experience
Essential
- Clearly able to demonstrate a rich experience of utilising large and highly complex public health and related datasets to answer epidemiological / public health related questions and of the design and development of surveillance systems
- Experience of field epidemiology investigation methods
- Experience of complex team work planning tasks
- Experience of working in public health, NHS or a related area
- Experience of communicating information to clinical and non-clinical staff, external partners and the public
- Experience in the training and development of others
- Writing peer-reviewed publications
- Presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc
- Experience of writing in a range of styles from brief summaries through to in-depth technical reports
Desirable
- Experience of research and development
- Experience in line management, staff development and training
- Experience in programme or project management
Skills
Essential
- Highly numerate with advanced skills in epidemiological and statistical analysis and interpretation of data
- Report writing skills
- Excellent computer literacy skills including advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications
- Able to engage and negotiate with stakeholders to understand and deliver service requirements
- Ability to develop and deliver complex presentations to large audiences
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate at local, regional and national level
- Evidence of people management skills
Desirable
- Evidence of ability to meet tight and challenging deadlines, managing complex and multiple pieces of work
- Field investigation skills including interviewing patients and site visits
Knowledge
Essential
- Advanced knowledge of epidemiological principles and their application to communicable disease surveillance and control
- Knowledge and experience of specialist computer software, such as R studio, SQL, Statistical or GIS systems, for the production of complex epidemiological analyses of public health and related data.
- Clear understanding of current and ongoing issues in health protection and epidemiology
- Knowledge of data security and confidentiality issues
- Knowledge and experience of statistical techniques and procedures, and their application in the field of public health epidemiology and surveillance
Desirable
- Knowledge of management and development techniques
- Knowledge of data science approaches
- Knowledge of bioinformatics and genomics
Personal Attributes (Demonstrable)
Essential
- Able to act independently, with some guidance from line manager, based on sound understanding of general policies and principles as well as being a member of, and contributing to, the all Wales team
- Conscientious and proven team worker with the ability to engage with people at all levels
- Able to multi-task in a fluid environment, able to prioritise, plan and manage workload, managing complex and multiple pieces of work/projects and working to deadlines
- Able to lead and to support team members especially when they are placed under pressure
- Able to deal with personnel issues and performance management
- Able to negotiate effectively with service users who may be perceived as difficult
Desirable
- A willingness to further develop and lead others in adapting to change
Other
Essential
- Willingness to travel to and attend meetings
- Flexible approach to work to meet the needs of the service
Desirable
- Travel between sites where necessary
- Welsh speaker
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).
