Senior Data Surveillance Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

The SDSS is responsible for the surveillance systems across specific topic areas, and leads and supports the data collection, validation, and production of routine surveillance intelligence in these areas. This includes developing and maintaining effective health surveillance databases, developing and delivery of routine and bespoke reports and supporting the use of HPZone (a national UKHSA web-based incident management system). The SSSHP will analyse and interpret surveillance data and develop automated routines and solutions as well as overseeing and responding to more complex or sensitive data requests. This will be through their application of, and expertise in, analytical, statistical, database, mapping and web tools. They will provide expert advice on information governance and quality and evaluate surveillance systems.

This role can be worked from our UKHSA Cambridge office (CB2 0SR) or our UKHSA Mildenhall office (IP28 7JX), candidates will need to live a commutable distance from either one of these offices. Hybrid working is available, subject to line manager approval and business needs. Some infrequent business travel will be required.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Salary Bandings:

Cambridge (Outer London): £40,721 - £46,231

Mildenhall (National): £38,724 - £44,393

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability (1000 words max). This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve an interview by video.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5-minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidates experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

1. Changing and improving
2. Making effective decisions
3. Leading and communicating
4. Collaborating and partnering
5. Delivering at pace

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on the 15th of November 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: From the 16th of November 2023

Interviews: w/c 27th of November 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email:Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• First degree (relevant subject) or demonstrable equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area (in the maintenance, analysis of data)

Desirable

• Higher qualification in Epidemiology, information science, public health or allied discipline or equivalent level of experience/education

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Knowledge / experience in data management and epidemiology for outbreak investigations
• Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis and interpretation including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting
• Demonstrable experience of public health, health protection or epidemiology
• Experience in all aspects of the design, development, implementation and maintenance of systems including understanding of information governance issues
• Awareness of relevant infectious disease epidemiology, and information flows in the NHS and allied services
• Experience of overseeing and ensuring the successful delivery of projects relating to information systems and management

Desirable

• Experience of research activities including statistical analyses & peer reviewed publication
• Knowledge and experience of common statistical tests and modelling, including time trend analysis, survival analysis, regression, logistic regression, and perform multivariable analysis

Skills and capabilities

Essential

• Ability and skills to develop automated routines, reports and solutions as required
• Proficient in the use of some of the following: spreadsheets, databases, GIS, statistical software (e.g. R, Stata, SAS, SPSS) Experience of maintaining code using R or an alternative statistical package.
• Ability to apply a range of common statistical tests and algorithms including time trend analysis and an understanding of exceedance
• Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail with proven report writing & presentation skills
• Good organisational, prioritisation and time management skills

Desirable

• Experience in utilising Power BI

Equality and diversity

Essential

• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Cambridge or Mildenhall

Cambridge

CB2 0SR

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)