Job responsibilities
One of the key programmes of work requiring robust economic evaluation is the mSCAPE programme. mSCAPE is an internationally leading programme to pilot the use of clinical metagenomic data for public health surveillance and biosecurity. It was publicly launched on 30 January 2025 and is now live, receiving data from the NHS sites to a new central data platform. It works in partnership with three universities and the NHS Genomics Network of Excellence rollout of diagnostic metagenomics.
The aims of the programme are to evaluate the use of metagenomics for public health surveillance, to rapidly detect new viruses or bacteria that may be a threat to public health. Whilst traditional molecular diagnostics may identify parts of a viral or bacterial genome by e.g. polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and whole genome sequencing (WGS) sequences the genome of a particular known viral or bacterial pathogen, metagenomics sequences all the genetic material present in a particular sample. This technique is therefore pathogen agnostic and provides an important and exciting opportunity to identify novel pathogens.
As part of the evaluation of the use of this technique for public health surveillance, an understanding of the economic costs and benefits is crucial. You will lead a value for money evaluation for the next phase and expansion of the project over 25/26 and 26/27. This may include literature reviews of existing studies, and undertaking primary research to establish the cost benefit of this approach. This evaluation will then be used to develop a business case for future development and use of this technology.
The role will also provide support to the wider Pathogen Genomics programme and projects as required, including projects developing metagenomics diagnostic services, and environmental surveillance.
The type of work you can expect to lead and support on includes:
- Developing robust economic cases using the latest evidence for UKHSA projects and programmes
- Managing stakeholders including within the Department for Health and Social Care
- Producing cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis to guide UKHSA decision-making in reducing the spread of infectious diseases
- Producing materials to build the agencys capability to produce economic cases, including training materials, templates and bespoke guidance.
- Communicating your work with senior stakeholders and Ministers in a clear, convincing manner
- Establishing quality assurance processes and providing advice on analysis and research produced by others
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Lead a work programme building UKHSAs economic evidence base
You will apply existing methods, and identify new approaches, to provide insight to important health questions. There will be some scope for the postholder to shape this work according to their interest, while also meeting the likely future demands of the programme team. It could include looking at new ways to value the benefits of surveillance programmes or the importance of building resilience. You will demonstrate an ability to manage projects and stakeholders across an organisation, and bring a strong intellectual curiosity with an interdisciplinary approach.
Develop Economic Cases for projects and programmes
You will work across the organisation on developing economic cases for key genomics projects and programmes as part of the standard HMG five-part business case process. Mostly focused on applying your knowledge of economics and Green Book guidance to assess benefits and costs of different options and help the organisation come to a preferred approach. You will need to provide advice and quality assurance to some cases primarily written by other teams while for other cases you will take the lead on drafting.
Provide analysis, insight and challenge
You are open to learning more about the health domain from other experts while demonstrating the value that economics can bring to public health questions. You will need to develop clear high-quality analysis and be willing to challenge that of others.
Build the Economic profession at UKHSA
All the while, you will be at the forefront of building the role and reputation of the economic profession within UKHSA. Working with experts across multiple fields, you will showcase the value of economics to all colleagues as well as contributing to building an inclusive and welcoming community of economists.
Essential Criteria
- Experience in cost-benefit and/or cost-effectiveness analysis, particularly relating to health interventions
- Knowledge of health economics and experience in applying it to provide insight into complex health problems.
- Ability to work at pace to deadlines across multiple projects
- Ability to effectively communicate the results of analysis to senior stakeholders and decision-makers
- Good interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain key stakeholder relationships
- A first or second class honours degree in economics or related field (or equivalent qualification) or a postgraduate degree in a relevant numerate discipline.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience with developing Green Book-compliant business cases including knowledge of best practice.
- Experience in line management, including managing specialists such as economists
- Experience in running and leading research programmes and/or managing projects across an organisation
- Experience or knowledge of public health surveillance or interventions for infectious diseases especially those using genomics e.g. through work on global emerging pathogens, acute respiratory & imported diseases or other biosecurity issues.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 6 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
If longlisting is used, the pile meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may complete an initial sift on the lead criteria:
- Knowledge of health economics and experience in applying it to provide insight into complex health problems.
- Ability to effectively communicate the results of analysis to senior stakeholders and decision-makers
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.
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success Profiles
You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.
Behaviours and technical skills will be tested at interview.
Technical ability will be assessed via a presentation. You will be asked to prepare and present a 510 minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be
- Seeing the big picture
- Making effective decisions
- Communicating and influencing
- Delivering at pace
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 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 any of our Core HQs. 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) working at one of UKHSA's core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).
Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
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.
Salary Information/Bands
Grade 7
- National £56,185 - £66,581
- Outer £58,340 - £68,574
- Inner £60,494 - £70,566
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
