Birmingham (Core HQ), Nottingham (Supporting Hub)
Job Summary
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Health Protection in Regions
This role is within the Health Protection in Regions Directorate, which forms part of the Chief Medical Advisor’s Group of UKHSA. Health Protection in Regions deliverexpert, trusted, andresilient health protection services, protecting societyfrom harm frominfectious diseases and environmentalhazards locally, nationally, and across the globe. This becomes reality with collaboration and coordination of data, information, and support from across the Group, Agency, and wider health family.
Field Services Division
The Field Services Division was established to provide a national comprehensive service which is geographically dispersed and integrates epidemiological, microbiological, data science and other public health capacity and skills to consistently deliver high-quality disease surveillance, public health intelligence and outbreak response.
Field Services provides an effector arm for UKHSA, supporting the translation of evidence into practice as well as having a role in strengthening disease surveillance and outbreak response through closer links with the NHS and other partners. It also maintains valuable links to academic centres to support the advancement of the evidence base for health protection and provides effective leadership and coordination of the UKHSA field epidemiology training function.
Job Description
Specific duties of the role may vary depending on the site and teams/functions.
The post will involve supporting outbreaks and epidemiological investigations through collecting, extracting and analysing data and managing, maintaining and updating databases. The post holder will contribute to surveillance activities through adapting and developing routines and undertaking basic descriptive analysis to support the production of routine surveillance reports.
The post holder will also be required to undertake basic statistical tests and use common statistical, database and mapping software and tools to support analysis such as producing tables, graphs, maps etc. and running queries.
Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities
Outbreak support and epidemiological investigation
- Where appropriate, support the maintenance of outbreak and incident databases, the development of data extraction tools and automated routines and undertake basic descriptive and trend analysis
- Contribute to the production of outbreak reports
Surveillance
- Adapt and develop automated routines to support surveillance activities, following and advising on Standard Operating Procedures and contribute to and support the production of routine surveillance reports including basic descriptive analysis
- Respond to routine data requests
Research
- Adapt queries and undertake basic analysis of data to support research
Statistical Skills
- Undertake basic statistical tests, under guidance
Software Skills
- Use common statistical/database/mapping tools as part of pre-defined routines
- Undertake basic analytical skills using common software packages to support analysis such as producing tables, graphs etc. and running queries
Quality and governance
- Be aware of, and comply with, information governance guidance including for example the secure storage and transfer of PII
- Support audit through data extraction and basic analysis
Workforce and HR
- Be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these.
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- The post holder will identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with their line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
- To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. safeguarding, fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
OTHER DUTIES
- 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 directorate.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization.
COMMUNICATION AND KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The Post Holder Will Build And Maintain Effective Working Relationships And Communicate Regularly With a Wide Range Of Individuals, Clinical And Non-clinical, Internal And External To UKHSA. This May Include:
- Field Services and Field Services staff
- Information and system specialists
- Health Protection in Regions Group staff Science Group staff including: Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards
- NHS England
- NHS Trust staff
- Laboratory staff i.e. microbiologists and laboratory managers
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities staff (OHID) including Knowledge and Intelligence Teams
- Local authorities
- Community staff
- Academia
- Other professional scientific, information and administrative staff in a number of organizations
- Agencies contributing to environmental hazards surveillance
- Members of the public.
Specific duties of the role may vary depending on the site and teams/functions.
The post will involve supporting outbreaks and epidemiological investigations through collecting, extracting and analysing data and managing, maintaining and updating databases. The post holder will contribute to surveillance activities through adapting and developing routines and undertaking basic descriptive analysis to support the production of routine surveillance reports.
The post holder will also be required to undertake basic statistical tests and use common statistical, database and mapping software and tools to support analysis such as producing tables, graphs, maps etc. and running queries.
The Post Holder Will Build And Maintain Effective Working Relationships And Communicate Regularly With a Wide Range Of Individuals, Clinical And Non-clinical, Internal And External To UKHSA. This May Include:
- Field Services and Field Services staff
- Information and system specialists
- Health Protection in Regions Group staff Science Group staff including: Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards
- NHS England
- NHS Trust staff
- Laboratory staff i.e. microbiologists and laboratory managers
- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities staff (OHID) including Knowledge and Intelligence Teams
- Local authorities
- Community staff
- Academia
- Other professional scientific, information and administrative staff in a number of organizations
- Agencies contributing to environmental hazards surveillance
- Members of the public.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Degree (or equivalent qualification) or relevant experience in the maintenance and analysis of data
- Analytical skills and experience of basic statistical tests including performing basic descriptive and trend analysis
- Experience of report writing
- Experience of maintaining, analysing and interpreting data using common software packages such as Microsoft Office
- Experience and understanding of Standard Operating Procedures
- Knowledge/experience of working in an NHS environment and/or epidemiology / public health
- Good oral and written communication (including presentation) skills
- Ability to produce work of high quality and accuracy to deadlines including when under pressure
- Good organisation, prioritisation and time management skills and able to work in a multidisciplinary team, as well as on own initiative
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Desirable Criteria
- Knowledge and experience of common statistical/database/mapping software and tools
- Understand information governance issues including an awareness of data protection and confidentiality requirements
- Ability to adapt queries and undertake basic analysis of data to support research
- An interest in public health, infectious disease epidemiology and control and statistical analysis
Alongside your salary of £27,275, UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,901 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
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 assessments
You Will Be Required To Complete An Application Form. You Will Be Assessed On The Listed 10 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
Piles 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:
- Analytical skills and experience of basic statistical tests including performing basic descriptive and trend analysis
- Knowledge and experience of common statistical/database/mapping software and tools
- Knowledge/experience of working in an NHS environment and/or epidemiology / public health
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
Competency based
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
You will be asked to undertake additional tasks as part of the interview which aim to test knowledge of coding using R and interpretation of data. Details of the tasks will be shared at the start of the interview.
Interviews will be held week commencing 30th June. Please note, these dates are subject to change.
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 locations in Birmingham and Nottingham. 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 our office at either Birmingham or Nottingham.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
International Police check
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
Internal Fraud check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.
Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : Lisa Tweedie
- Email : lisa.tweedie@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Further information
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7234734