UK Health Security Agency

Senior Data Surveillance Scientist

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

UKHSA's local Health Protection teams provide a central part of how UKHSA works with partners to deliver its first function to protect the public's health. They deliver this through a range of core functions including surveillance and monitoring, operational support and advice, education, training and research.

The Senior Data Surveillance Scientist (SDSS) works as part of a dynamic analytical community and supports the regional health protection team (HPT) by providing the health protection intelligence function to delivery of an effective health protection service. As part of that dynamic analytical community, the postholder will work collaboratively with, and may rotate working with the Knowledge and Intelligence (K&I) function of the Health Improvement Directorate, the regional Health Protection function and the National Infection Services Field Services team to jointly enhance services and develop hubs of excellence in analytical services.

Main duties of the job

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.

(For full job responsibilities and duties please refer to the attached Job Description)

  1. Public Health Intelligence, Surveillance and Data Analysis
  2. Outbreak Support and Epidemiological Investigations
  3. Software and Statistical skills
  4. Audit, Quality and Governance
  5. Collaborative Working
  6. Research and Development
  7. Leadership / Management / Workforce / HR
  8. Teaching / Training
  9. Strategic Thinking
  10. Project Management
  11. Professional Development
  12. Communication and Key Working Relationships
  13. Other

About us

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
  • Range of health and wellbeing suppor

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

Details

Date posted

03 January 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£38,724 to £44,393 a year SEO

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

UKHSA01089

Job locations

UKHSA Nottingham

Seaton House, City Link

Nottingham

NG2 4LA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Location

This role will be based in Nottingham.

UKHSA offers hybrid working for its employees This role will be based at UKHSA offices in Nottingham and currently this requires working from an allocated UKHSA base location for 60%, from the beginning of 2024.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, against the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 1,250 words.

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. The sift selection panel will only consider relevant career history information from the last 5 years.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW:

This competition will involve an interview in person (Preferred).

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.

This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess your Strengths/Ability/ Experience/Technical skills.

There might be a task you need to complete as part of your interview, information will be shared with you before your interview.

Advert close: 17/01/2024 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.

Interviews:

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/

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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Location

This role will be based in Nottingham.

UKHSA offers hybrid working for its employees This role will be based at UKHSA offices in Nottingham and currently this requires working from an allocated UKHSA base location for 60%, from the beginning of 2024.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, against the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 1,250 words.

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. The sift selection panel will only consider relevant career history information from the last 5 years.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW:

This competition will involve an interview in person (Preferred).

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.

This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess your Strengths/Ability/ Experience/Technical skills.

There might be a task you need to complete as part of your interview, information will be shared with you before your interview.

Advert close: 17/01/2024 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.

Interviews:

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/

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 and Experience

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)
  • 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
  • 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 organizational, prioritisation and time management skills
  • 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

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
  • Experience in utilising Power BI
Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

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)
  • 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
  • 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 organizational, prioritisation and time management skills
  • 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

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
  • Experience in utilising Power BI

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).

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.

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

UKHSA Nottingham

Seaton House, City Link

Nottingham

NG2 4LA


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

UKHSA Nottingham

Seaton House, City Link

Nottingham

NG2 4LA


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

RPO Lead Recruiter

Daisy Zhang

ukhsa.recruitment@reed.com

Details

Date posted

03 January 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£38,724 to £44,393 a year SEO

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

UKHSA01089

Job locations

UKHSA Nottingham

Seaton House, City Link

Nottingham

NG2 4LA


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)