Job responsibilities
The post holder will be responsible for the day to day management of the information function within the Environmental Epidemiology Group including the line management of information staff and would be required to:
Cluster and outbreak support and epidemiological investigation
- Oversee the information and data management to support a cluster or outbreak or epidemiological investigation
- Provide expert advice on information governance aspects of information management and response
Surveillance
- Identify surveillance needs within Environmental Public Health Tracking and EPHSS
- Develop and oversee surveillance systems (where appropriate) and advise on information management and governance issues
- Evaluate existing surveillance systems through audit
- Oversee and respond to more complex or sensitive data requests and identify common themes or issues to be addressed
- Analyse and interpret surveillance data, developing automated routines and solutions
- Manage/supervise information staff in the development of outputs and statistical analysis
Research
- Advise on the information governance aspects of a study database
- Contribute to scientific papers on public health surveillance, clusters, outbreaks and environmental public health
- Analyse datasets with appropriate methodology to support research
Statistical skills
- Apply a range of common statistical tests and algorithms including time trend analysis and to support analyses
- Translate statistical processes in to automated solutions where appropriate
Software skills
- Use common statistical/database/mapping/web tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, network analysis, SQL, SharePoint etc. in routine reports, surveillance activities and the development of solutions
- Undertake complex analytical and programming tasks using common and specialist software packages to support data extractions, analysis and validation
Communication
- Present internally and externally to partners on lead area / specialty
- Manage partnership arrangements and relationships with stakeholders in the development of surveillance and data needs
- Present at scientific conferences, programme area meetings and other fora.
Teaching
- Teach colleagues on all aspects of data, information management and governance
- Teach colleagues and stakeholders on surveillance and epidemiology, and develop teaching material and courses
Strategic thinking
- Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders and partners
- Actively engage in meetings with internal and external colleagues
- Identify potential problems and seek to resolve
- Undertake a lead role for a specific information management function or area, on behalf of the Department as a whole
Quality and governance
- Advise on all aspects of information governance including information securityContribute to the quality programme e.g. through audit (from an information management perspective) and produce recommendations
- Be responsible for the quality of data collected, stored and extracted and transferred
Workforce / HR
- Be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these
- Lead and motivate team members
- Effectively appraise, manage performance, and address
HR/disciplinary issues for staff line managed
- Supervise other team members
- Be recruiting manager for relevant posts
Project management
- Coordinate and lead projects such as the implementation of new systems and processes
Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.
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
You willbe required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 8essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of
- an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- a 1500word 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.
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.
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 essential criteria
Please note that only those candidates meeting all the essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Knowledge and understanding of concepts around statistical and epidemiological analyses, interpreting the results, evaluating the implications and making recommendations
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a face to face interview which will be held at our office in Chilton, Oxfordshire. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
There will be a presentation.
Eligibility Criteria
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 based at one of our Scientific Campuses. 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 working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averagedover a month) working at one of UKHSA's scientific campus sites in Colindale, Porton Down or Chilton.
Please note that there would a requirement for the successful candidate to be in the Chilton offices once a week on Thursdays.
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 Counter Terrorist Check clearance.
For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.