Job responsibilities
Surveillance and Data Analysis
1. Identify surveillance needs within given lead areas, create surveillance system specifications, conduct complex statistical analyses and interpret surveillance data, making appropriate recommendations, develop automated routines and solutions and supervise / assure on the preparation, quality and delivery of routine and ad hoc surveillance reports.
2. Develop and utilise information and intelligence systems to underpin public health action, including outbreak and incident response, across disciplines and organisations, and lead collation and interpretation of relevant data to develop the most appropriate analyses from a range of sources.
3. Respond to complex or sensitive data requests including Parliamentary Questions.
Enhanced surveillance and Epidemiological Investigations
4. Where appropriate, lead and manage the technical and analytical (including data management) aspects of enhanced surveillance within the HCAI & AMR Division, e.g. write protocol of analytical studies, contribute to the data collection, develop questionnaires and train interviewers.
5. Analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data and research evidence from a range of sources to make recommendations and inform decision making which may have long term impacts;
Statistical and software skills
6. Apply a range of common statistical tests and algorithms and translate statistical processes into automated solutions where appropriate
7. Use common statistical/database/mapping/web tools such as Stata, R, ArcGIS, Access, SQL and SharePoint in routine reports, surveillance activities and the development of solutions and undertake complex analytical and programming tasks using common and specialist software packages to support data extractions, analysis and validation
Audit, Quality and Governance
8. Advise on quality and governance issues including information security for all aspects of surveillance work, evaluating existing systems, and use to improve standards and consistency across the team.
9. Contribute to the HCAI & AMR Division quality programme such as through audit and be responsible for the quality of data collected, stored and extracted and transferred.
Research
10. Project manage research studies, analysing datasets with appropriate methodology to answer research questions, supported by the systematic review of literature and with knowledge of how to develop a grant proposal, and apply for ethical approval.
11. Present at scientific conferences, programme area meetings and other for a and publish and present scientific papers on public health surveillance, respiratory viruses and infectious disease control in collaboration with health, public health, academic and other partners.
Management / workforce / HR
12. Effectively manage others and yourself: lead, supervise and motivate team members; effectively appraise, manage performance, and address HR/disciplinary issues for staff line managed; be recruiting manager for posts, update JDs, be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these.
Teaching / Training
13. Contribute to teaching/training programmes and activities (including to the development of teaching material and courses) on surveillance, epidemiology information science, data management, information governance and quality and support ongoing training activities within the team and Division.
Strategic thinking
14. 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 and undertake a lead role for a specific topic or function area, as requested by the Section Lead/Lead Epidemiologist.
Project management
15. Coordinate and lead projects such as the implementation of new systems and processes
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other specialist duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager and team.
Essential Criteria:
- Degree level (or equivalent qualification) in relevant subject (e.g. Public Health, Epidemiology, Biological sciences) or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area (in the maintenance, analysis of data)
- MSc in Epidemiology, public health or allied discipline or equivalent level of experience/education
- Completion of the Field Epidemiology Training Programme or equivalent training and experience
- Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reportin
Desirable Criteria:
- Training in research methods, infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance and/or public health
Selection Process Details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience, skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency-based
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 4 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 1000 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 some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
Pile 'meets all essential criteria' and 'meets some essential criteria' will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the lead criteria of:
- Degree level (or equivalent qualification) in relevant subject (e.g. Public Health, Epidemiology, Biological sciences) or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area (in the maintenance, analysis of data)
- MSc in Epidemiology, public health or allied discipline or equivalent level of experience/education
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessmentPlease do not exceed 1000 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 short R/STATA test -details to be confirmed to those securing an interview.
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
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
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 based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. 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, averaged over a month) based at our Colindale location.
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. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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 (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances 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.
