Job Description

Details

-----------

Reference number

425494

Salary

58,589 - 68,344
per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

Infectious Disease Transmission Modelling

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

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

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

------------

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

Location

------------


This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Core HQ in Canary Wharf, London.




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).

About the job

-----------------

Job summary

This permanent post will lead on transmission-dynamic modelling and cost-effectiveness analysis of gonorrhoea vaccination, which will be a growth area in the coming years. The UK is the first country to implement a national gonorrhoea vaccination programme, using 4CMenB, which has been found to be partially-protective. Gonorrhoea-specific vaccines are in development, as well as vaccines against other STIs.


The postholder will develop models to evaluate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of vaccination programmes to support the requirements of JCVI in the provision of national vaccination policy recommendations. The role will include analysis of complex data to obtain parameters for models, writing, checking and documenting model code, compilation of scientific reports and scientific publication.


This is a key post contributing to UKHSA's capacity and capability in transmission-dynamic modelling and health-economic evaluations to further understanding and inform decision-making. As well as requiring specific technical expertise, this post requires broad scientific knowledge and involves substantial interdisciplinary working (e.g. with medical, clinical, and scientific staff) within UKHSA and in other organisations, nationally and internationally.


The work done by the post holder will help shape future policy making and scientific advances in this field. Hence it carries considerable potential for original scientific work and requires a high degree of personal motivation.

Job description

The post is located in the Modelling and Economics Unit, which is part of the Statistics, Modelling and Economic Department (SMED) of the Modelling Division. The SMED is a dynamic and stimulating group comprising infectious disease modellers, statisticians, and health economists working on diverse projects relating to the burden of infectious disease, disease determinants, and the impact of interventions against infections, both nationally and internationally. The work of the Department is frequently used to inform policy. It is a world leader in its field and has numerous collaborative links with academia, including University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, Harvard University, Imperial College London, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University College London, Warwick University, and with other public health agencies, both national and international.


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. These will include:

Health economists, mathematical modellers and statisticians within the Statistics, Modelling and Economics Department. Epidemiologists, microbiologists, bioinformaticians, infection control specialists and clinicians throughout UKHSA, particularly the Immunisation Division and Blood Safety, Hepatitis and STIs Division. Academic collaborators in universities (nationally and internationally). Department of Health and Social Care and other policy colleagues. JCVI Medical, scientific and other staff responsible for vaccination.

Other main duties include to:

lead development of transmission-dynamic models and integrated cost-effectiveness analysis of gonorrhoea to understand epidemiology and assess impact and cost-effectiveness of interventions. lead parameterisation of models by analysis of appropriate data and critical review of relevant literature, synthesising multiple evidence sources, including leading the identification, use and analysis of complex and often large datasets. This includes modelling the relationship between vaccine trial outcomes and population-level impacts. develop methods to make better use of data to inform models and to take advantage of increases in the volume and richness of datasets, adapting and extending existing models or designing and building new models as appropriate. provide leadership and management for gonorrhoea vaccination modelling and health economics project work: planning, developing, managing and co-ordinating projects to ensure deliverables are met. contribute to the design and implementation of protocols for managing development of models, including quality assurance and version control. take responsibility for instigating and coordinating research with multidisciplinary teams in UKHSA and wider public health and academia, JCVI, DHSC, and other organisations as appropriate. disseminate research through publication in high-quality peer-reviewed scientific journalsand presentations at national and international conferences and meetings as appropriate.

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

Person specification

Essential criteria:

PhD or PhD-level experience in infectious-disease transmission-dynamic modelling relevant to the role. Extensive relevant research experience with an internationally-recognized track record of gonorrhoea modelling, with a demonstrated understanding of the challenges of the field, and knowledge of current preventive interventions. Significant experience of transmission-dynamic modelling applied to gonorrhoea vaccination, including accounting for various effects / modes of action of a partially-protective vaccine. Experience of modelling the relationship between vaccine trial outcomes and population-level impacts, demonstrating an understanding of the complexities of understanding partially-protective vaccines. Demonstrated attention to detail, accuracy and methodological rigour in coding, and managing and analysing large and complex data. Strong skills in scientific programming and model development (in R, Python, or C/C++), including experience of parallel programming using HPC / GPUs. Experience working on multi-disciplinary projects which require collaborating with a wide range of health professionals/dealing with multiple stakeholders. Publishing scientific papers reporting primary research relevant to this post, in which the candidate made a leading contribution, in relevant peer-reviewed journals, demonstrated by a publication list.

Desirable criteria:

Experience of working with members of communities most affected by gonorrhoea, which the applicant should describe in their application

Benefits

------------


Alongside your salary of 58,589, UK Health Security Agency contributes 16,973 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

---------------------------

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed against the 8 essential criteria listed in the job advert and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 1500-word supporting statement

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.


You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V -please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria

Please note only those applications that 'meet

all

essential criteria' will be progressed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

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

PhD or PhD-level experience in infectious-disease transmission-dynamic modelling relevant to the role. Significant experience of transmission-dynamic modelling applied to gonorrhoea vaccination, including accounting for various effects / modes of action of a partially-protective vaccine.

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


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a remote interview.


Behaviours, technical skills and strengths will be tested at interview.


The behaviours being tested at interview are:

Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour) Seeing the bigger picture Communicating and influencing Working together Developing self and others

You will also be asked to prepare and present a 10 minute presentation. The subject of this will be:

Gonorrhoea vaccination modelling

Interviews dates are yet 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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 Core HQ in Canary Wharf, London.


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).

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.

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.

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

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

---------------------------------


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 : Carmelita Goodwin Email : carmelita.goodwin@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