Job Description

Details

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Reference number

419871
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Salary

58,589 - 68,344
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

Fixed term###

Length of employment

FTC for 2 years###

Type of role

Health Professionals###

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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Canary Wharf or Colindale.

About the job

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Job summary

This post is a senior role in the TARZET division, enabling the team to deliver cutting edge analysis in support of public health decision making, specifically with regard to the metagenomics Surveillance Collaboration and Analysis Programme (mSCAPE), a collaborative programme piloting the use of metagenomic data for public health surveillance and pathogen analysis.


The post holder will take a leading role in providing and developing national surveillance of pathogens identified from metagenomic data, developing guidance and leading research studies. The role will involve working in a matrix team environment to provide scientific support to the analysis, operation, and development of metagenomic surveillance systems including development of methodology and directing changes to data capture systems in liaison with system architects and software developers. The role may involve day-to-day management of scientific, technical and information staff.


The post-holder will sit in the Acute Respiratory Infections unit, whose functions include horizon scanning for respiratory pathogens, as well as surveillance and guidance for avian influenza, MERS-CoV, Legionella spp and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. They will also work in an integrated way with other teams in the TARZET division (TB, Acute Respiratory, Emerging Infections and Zoonoses and Travel Health) and the Genomics Public Health Analysis team (GPHA) within the Emerging and Epidemic Infections Directorate.

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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.

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Job description

Surveillance, Epidemiology & Public Health:

Lead and manage the design, development, and continuous improvement of metagenomic pilot surveillance systems as required. Conduct complex statistical and epidemiological analyses of metagenomic and other pathogen data, as required, drawn from a variety of surveillance sources. Provide expert technical advice and assistance to public health and clinical practitioners on the design, maintenance, analysis and interpretation of databases. Provide expert advice in response to ad hoc enquiries from Government agencies, public health practitioners, academics, media, commercial organisations and members of the public. Develop methodologies to ensure emerging threats are recognized in a timely manner by the analysis and interpretation of often complex data from a variety of sources to understand the public health significance of the potential risk. You may be required to provide epidemiological support to incidents or outbreaks. Ensure the scientific validity and evidence-base of risk assessments, and that findings are communicated to the relevant stakeholders nationally and internationally through situation reports and briefing notes. Identify requirements for development of specialist advice on the epidemiological aspects of metagenomic analysis, by contributing to the development of guidance, designing data collection systems, interpreting epidemiological data, conducting statistical analyses, and contributing to scientific publications. Manage scientific and administrative staff in the maintenance, development, statistical analysis, quality outputs and reporting from datasets. Undertake periodic evaluation of surveillance systems including stakeholder engagement exercises.

Research:

Design analytical strategies and supervise complex statistical analyses of research datasets for the production of project reports, papers for peer reviewed journals and conference presentations. Initiate collaborative projects within UKHSA and external collaborators to address metagenomic research questions. This may also include taking a lead on research proposals for externally funded projects and provision of expert advice to academic units and other agencies involved in collaborative epidemiological and microbiological studies.

Management and Planning:

Work alongside other members of the TARZET division on:
a. the business planning process and the development of surveillance/research, communication, training strategies etc

b. Compare, analyse and interpret highly complex options for running projects identified as key public health priorities, and communicate this information across organisations and key stakeholders

c. Budget responsibility for section led grants

d. Selection and recruitment of staff, including, shortlisting applicants and interviewing candidates selected for interview

e. Staff management responsibilities to be agreed with line manager

f. Being responsible for developing quality control processes, participating in audits and ensuring resilience through maintaining Standard Operating Procedures and business continuity planning

g. Being responsible for ensuring their team's work complies to UKHSA standards and governance requirements including maintaining confidentiality and security of surveillance information

h. Development of business cases to support system developments: this may include undertaking relevant procurement requirements and management of supplier relationships
Deputising for other members of the mSCAPE programme team as required.

Publications and presentations:

Plan and oversee the development of epidemiological outputs including outward facing publications such as annual reports, web pages, writing of scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and manage junior scientific and administrative colleagues in the development of manuscripts Represent the programme on expert committees, national and local incident control teams, national/international meetings and conferences.

Teaching and Training:

Contribute to the training for new members of staff on the epidemiology and surveillance of communicable disease Participate in wider scientific activities to maintain professional standards including peer review of manuscripts.

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 Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e., fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

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:

Medical, scientific and administrative colleagues working within the mSCAPE programme and TARZET Division Staff in other departments of UKHSA, especially colleagues in Regional and reference Laboratories and (CDO) Chief Data Officer Group. Government Departments including Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement, NHS Digital; Devolved Administrations Other clinical, public, infection control, scientific and academic staff in national, regional and local institutions in and outside the UK Voluntary and statutory sector agencies. ###

Person specification

Essential role criteria:

Higher degree in epidemiology/ public health/ microbiology or equivalent experience working in public health, academia or laboratory sciences
Training in research methods, infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance, prevention and/or public health
Knowledge and work experience of communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance and prevention including healthcare associated infection and/or antimicrobial resistance and/or antimicrobial prescribing Broad understanding of and experience of health care systems, public health and the communicable disease function in the UK Strong statistical analysis of large and complex datasets, including knowledge and experience with R or Python Writing research protocols, grant applications and scientific reports Preparing and reviewing standard operating procedures Able to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and motivate and encourage team members Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues including problem solving, working to tight and often changing timescales Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly

Desirable role criteria:

Creating, validating and managing large databases and datasets Presenting scientific papers at national and international meetings and conferences and proven peer review publication record Experience of working within the NHS or other health related sectors Managing and leading scientific and technical staff including working under pressure and to tight deadlines Liaising with a wide range of external collaborators including health service and academic professionals Maintaining required levels of confidentiality

Benefits

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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

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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 (9) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

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


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 following will be taken through to the next stage:

Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria

Shortlisting:

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

Higher degree in epidemiology/ public health/ microbiology or equivalent experience working in public health, academia or laboratory sciences Training in research methods, infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance, prevention and/or public health Knowledge and work experience of communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance and prevention including healthcare associated infection and/or antimicrobial resistance and/or antimicrobial prescribing

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.


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.

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 prepare and present a 5-minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.


Interviews will be held week commencing 8th September. 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.

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 Core HQ in Canary Wharf OR 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). 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).

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 OR Counter-terrorist Check (if based at the Colindale site).


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.

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.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .



See our vetting charter .
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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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

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Job contact :

Name : Gurkamal Bhambra Email : gurkamal.bhambra@ukhsa.gov.uk
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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