Job Description

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.



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



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.



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



Selection Process



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.