Job responsibilities
Surveillance and Epidemiology
1. Develop and utilise information and intelligence systems related to the projects to underpin public health action across the department and surveillance systems therein2. Have responsibility for the development and productivity of the information and intelligence system(s) related to the projects, including project management3. Undertake specialist and complex analyses of quantitative and/or qualitative datasets which will require selection of the best option from a range of possible solutions4. Analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data and research evidence from a range of sources to inform decision making5. Receive, interpret, provide and advise on complex epidemiological and statistical information about the health of populations to the National Health Service (NHS), Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and others
Specialist Advice and Evaluation
6. Communicate effectively and diplomatically research and other specialist information with colleagues from own or other disciplines and present findings at local, national and international meetings and conferences7. Write and/or contribute to national and local policy setting reports, as well as peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals, on the health of the populationResearch and Development8. Undertake literature reviews, evaluative research surveys, audits and other research as required
Teaching and Training
9. Assist in teaching and training courses run at Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, Colindale and outside, by producing presentation materials and assist in AMR & HCAI lectures.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the division.The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Management arrangements
The postholder will:
- Be responsible to the Section Leads in the AMR & HCAI Division through the Principal or Senior Scientist coordinating the projects.
- Manage staff working on work-areas within the AMR & HCAI Division, if required.
Professional development
- Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.
- Attend internal / external training events
- Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
Key working relationships
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include the following.
Internal: all UKHSA staff involved in the work of the AMR & HCAI Division.
External
- Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
- NHS England, Care Quality Commission (CQC), National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and other relevant national bodies
- AMR & HCAI Programmes and leads in Devolved Administrations
- Royal Colleges
- Professional and learned societies
- Data providers (clinicians, nurses, health advisers etc.) to ensure data quality and timely reporting, and internal and external data users.
Essential Criteria
- Primary degree in a suitable science subject (e.g. Microbiology, Biomedical Science, Public Health, Statistics)
- Scientific research work experience, particularly in public health
- Experience in data management, analysis and reporting
- Experience using spreadsheet (e.g., Microsoft Excel), database and statistical software (specifically R and Stata)
- Experience in interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data
- Experience in the preparation of scientific reports and presentations
- Ability to work as a team member, as well as independently and to deadlines
- Maintaining required levels of confidentiality
- Having a clear and organised approach to work with the ability to communicate and document methods clearly and succinctly
- Ability to liaise with a wide range of external collaborators including health service and academic professionals
- Ability to identify and solve problems
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance and prevention
- Experience of project management
- Experience of working in a public healthcare system or a national public health agency
Selection Process Details:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success profiles
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 12 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 1000 word supporting statement.
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 supporting statement 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
The pile 'meets all essential criteria' will proceed to shortlisting- please confirm
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the lead criteria of:
- Experience using spreadsheet (e.g., Microsoft Excel), database and statistical software (specifically R and Stata)
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 & assessment.
Please 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
Success profiles
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Behaviours, technical, experience, ability and strengths will be tested at interview.
There will be a Technical Test as part of the interview process- details will be sent to those candidates who secure an interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
Interview 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 CriteriaExternal: 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 Colindale.
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 CounterTerrorism 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.
