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, Fungal, AMR, AMU & Sepsis 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, Fungal, AMR, AMU & Sepsis 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 job descriptions, 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.
Essential Criteria:
- MSc (or equivalent qualification) in Epidemiology, public health or allied scientific discipline or equivalent level of experience working on analysis of public health data
- 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 reporting
- Experience of interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, sensitive health data analyses
- Demonstrable experience of public health, health protection or epidemiology including experience of complex and/or sensitive health data analyses
- Experience of using epidemiological and statistical software packages
- Knowledge of health and social care environment, and roles and responsibilities within it including information flows in the NHS and allied services
- Experience of using epidemiological and statistical software methods and packages
- Understand of information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven presentation and scientific report writing skills
- Proficient in common statistical/database/mapping tools such as STATA, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc.
- Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders
- Able to work under own initiative, respond to sudden unexpected demands whilst maintaining a professional calm and efficient manner
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of teaching epidemiology and/or surveillance
- Experience of research activities with one or more first author publications in peer reviewed journals
- 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.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency-based
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 13 essential criteria, in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 750 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.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may complete an initial sift on the lead criteria of:
- MSc (or equivalent qualification) in Epidemiology, public health or allied scientific discipline or equivalent level of experience working on analysis of public health data
- Proficient in common statistical/database/mapping tools such as STATA, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc
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 750 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 single remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
There will be an R or stata Technical Test- details will be shared with those candidates invited to interview.
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 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 Scientific Campus in Colindale.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
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. 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.
Salary Information
Please note: 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.
