Senior Evidence Reviewer

Job description

Job responsibilities

As a Senior Evidence Reviewer your role will be to support the use of evidence to inform public health policy and guidance within UKHSA. You will work on rapid evidence reviews using systematic and rapid review methodologies, involving screening of studies, data extraction, critical appraisal and evidence synthesis. You will work within a review team, using software such as Endnote, Rayaan, EPPI-Reviewer and Microsoft Teams, across a range of review topics and timeframes for completing reviews will vary from several days to several months. You will also work on the development of processes and tools required to conduct rapid reviews, including methodological development (such as developing critical appraisal tools) and technological development (such as use of artificial intelligence to support the review process).

You will work matrix style with internal colleagues, both nationally and locally, and may work with external partners.

You will also support others wishing to produce or commission evidence reviews, and may support the delivery of training and capacity building.

Your core role will be to support the use of evidence within UKHSA by producing evidence synthesis products such as rapid reviews and evidence gap maps through working as part of the Science Evidence Review team.

Selection Process Details:

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based assessments

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed (14) essential and desirable criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1250 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets someessential criteria
• Meets no essentialcriteria

The following piles will be taken forward to shortlisting:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets someessential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following:

• Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience in public health or related field
• Experience of conducting systematic or rapid evidence reviews in public health or relevant field
• Experience in critical appraisal or risk of bias assessments

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

There will be a Technical Test included in the interview.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Selection Process (for apps via Trac)

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Eligibility Criteria - External

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

Location:

This role is being offered as hybrid working. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual workinghours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).

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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• First degree in a science subject.
• Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience in public health, epidemiology or related field

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Knowledge of review methodologies, including systematic and rapid reviews
• Experience of conducting systematic or rapid evidence reviews in public health or relevant field
• Experience in critical appraisal or risk of bias assessments
• Experience of writing reports
• Experience of presenting and interpreting public health evidence in a usable way

Desirable

• Experience of working within a policy or practice environment

Skills / capabilities/ behaviours

Essential

• Good oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Comprehensive skills in the use spreadsheets or databases and reference management software
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and maintain relationships with colleagues
• Ability to work to instruction and independently, and to use initiative
• Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines

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

Any Core HQ's

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU

Employer's website

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