Job Description

Details

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Reference number

435017
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Salary

56,185 - 70,566
per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Grade 7#

Contract type

Permanent#

Type of role

Science#

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time#

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf)

About the job

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Job summary

The purpose of this role is to lead a series of rapid evidence reviews and knowledge mobilisation activities to support the provision of evidence-informed public health advice and guidance. You will lead a small review team, using systematic and rapid review methodologies including screening of studies, data extraction, critical appraisal and evidence synthesis.


You and your team will produce reviews and other outputs across a range of review topics based on identified priorities, using software such as Endnote, Rayaan and Microsoft Teams. The team will work both to agreed priorities and responsively, and timeframes for completing reviews will vary from several days to several weeks.


You will work on methodological developments (for example, developing critical appraisal tools) and lead the development and use of strategies to support the translation of evidence, for example providing tailored evidence messages, and producing evidence summaries - ensuring that outputs are timely and useful.



You will also support others wishing to produce or commission evidence reviews, sharing tools, methods and guiding the production of robust and standardised outputs. You will work matrix style with colleagues working on the provision of advice and guidance, both nationally and locally, and with external partners involved in evidence synthesis work.

Working for your organisation

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.


Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

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Job description

Lead the delivery of rapid evidence reviews and other outputs, ensuring they are appropriately planned, delivered on time, to high quality standards and in an efficient manner Work with colleagues in advice, guidance or policy roles to identify priority topics and develop answerable questions Establish and work within a standardised process to produce rapid evidence reviews and other outputs, such as evidence summaries and briefings Ensure the quality of work through internal and external quality assurance processes, including (but not limited to) internal quality assurance processes and independent peer review Lead the publication of rapid evidence reviews, working with the communications team and guidance colleagues and including publishing in peer review journals Ensure that evidence is provided in a timely and useful manner, whilst also being robust and transparent Ensure that research gaps are identified and shared to support the generation of new evidence Lead the engagement of expert and topic advisors in evidence review processes, and initiate advisory groups if necessary Develop and implement standardised rapid review methodologies that can be used across the organisation Develop mechanisms to gather user feedback and use this to improve the quality and usability of outputs Provide support and advice to others working on evidence reviews, and ensure the methodological quality of their work Develop and implement tools and resources (including capacity building) to support others working on rapid evidence reviews Ensure adequate consideration of inequalities is built into all evidence review work Share information and conduct regular communication with partners as appropriate and report on progress to relevant governance groups

Other

There may be line management responsibility for SEO and HEO posts.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training. Undergo a programme of on-going development and education, including the annual appraisal process, to build on existing knowledge and develop skills to meet the behaviours and competencies required to undertake the role.

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:


Internal

Senior Medical Advisors All Hazards Public Health Clinical Response Guidance team UKHSA Knowledge & Library Services Research governance and operations team Behavioural science team Communications team Health inequalities team Relevant committees and working groups Expert/Senior Topics advisors across UKHSA Other colleagues working on evidence synthesis and knowledge mobilisation across the organisation

External

Department of Health and Social Care and other government departments Other organisations with an evidence synthesis role (such as NICE, Cochrane, the What Works Centres) Colleagues working on evidence synthesis within other countries (including the Devolved Administrations) Universities

This list is not exhaustive.

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Person specification

Essential Criteria

Educated to first degree level (in a health or science subject) or equivalent experience in an appropriate scientific or technical specialist area relevant to the role Post-graduate degree (in a health or science subject) or equivalent experience in an appropriate scientific or technical specialist area relevant to the role Knowledge and experience in conducting systematic or rapid evidence reviews using appropriate methods and tools Critical and analytical scientific skills, including scientific literature reviewing and experience of applying basic epidemiological and statistical knowledge Understanding of quality assurance procedures and working to best practice processes Experience of project management and an appreciation that tasks are expected to be delivered at pace, with competing priorities but always delivered in an assured and professional manner Experience of managing others Prioritise own work effectively and to direct activities of others, including responding to sudden or unexpected demands Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables Excellent communication skills (written/oral) - strong written skills to summarise scientific issues for scientific and lay audiences; strong oral skills to represent the team in a range of settings Plans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances Skilled at building and managing relationships with internal and external colleagues

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 56,185, UK Health Security Agency contributes 16,276 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%

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift


You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

an application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) a 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.


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.


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

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.



Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

Knowledge and experience in conducting systematic or rapid evidence reviews using appropriate methods and tools Critical and analytical scientific skills, including scientific literature reviewing and experience of applying basic epidemiological and statistical knowledge

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and 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


You will be invited to a remote interview.


Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.


You will be required to prepare a 10 minute presentation as part of the interview. The details of this will be "Please present, with a worked example, how you would curtail systematic review methods to produce a rapid review within 2 weeks, to inform public health response to a disease outbreak".


Interviews will be held week commencing 17th November 2025. 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.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ's in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf).


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).


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).

Salary Details

Civil Service Grade 7:

National 56,185 - 66,581 Outer 58,340 - 68,574 Inner 60,494 - 70,566

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

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.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.


The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

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)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.


Link below:


Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers

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

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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) 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
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Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .
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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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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 : Jon Payne Email : jonathan.payne@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


https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/London/Birmingham_Leeds_Liverpool_London/UK_Health_Security_Agency/Science/Science-v7576309?set-locale=en-gb&_ts=1