Job Description

Details

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Reference number

435424

Salary

60,494 - 70,556
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

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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Colindale, London

About the job

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Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, energetic and capable Principal HIV/STI Surveillance and Prevention Scientist to join the Blood Safety, Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infection and HIV Division of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Postholder will be based in HIV Section and will oversee implementation, data collection, analyses and dissemination of findings for Positive Voices national survey conducted in 2022 and planned for 2026. These findings are crucial for informing delivery and implementation of the HIV Action Plan. A specialism in mixed methodology research and behavioural science would be an asset. The postholder will develop and implement statistical analyses and metrics and use mixed methodologies to lead on research, evaluate the impact of responsive health protection measures, and will prepare surveillance outputs, scientific reports and articles. Additional responsibilities in overseeing HIV testing can be considered.

Job description

The postholders will manage a team of senior scientists and executive officers. Day to day activities would include data analyses, report writing, research design and implementation, ensuring resources are available to conduct the survey, liaison with academic partners etc. The postholders will lead on behalf of the department on developing and designing survey, managing the collation and validation of data, and the timely production of outputs (e.g. reports and articles). The postholder would be expected to work with a range of stakeholders on a daily basis, chair multi-stakeholders meetings and communicate findings using presentations, reports, briefings and conference abstracts etc.; The postholders will contribute to the teaching activities of the department.

Please be aware this list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria

Qualifications

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Degree in relevant scientific subject (e.g. public health, behavioural science, data science) or significant experience of working at a similar level in HIV/sexual health field PhD or equivalent experience in public health, epidemiology, health promotion, health-care research or similar Training in research methods, infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance, behavioural surveys, prevention and/or public health

Knowledge and experience:

Experience of leading, developing, designing and implementing new scientific initiatives including behavioural surveys Knowledge of HIV/STI/BBV surveillance and epidemiology Experience of working at a senior level with responsibility for multiple projects Experience of using computers and database software packages (particularly Stata, Microsoft ACCESS and Excel) Experience of advanced epidemiological and statistical research and qualitative methods (i.e. post-doctoral level) Experience of project management - planning, monitoring and controlling single or multi-disciplinary project groups Experience of preparing scientific reports and presentations Must have an understanding of the background to and aims of current healthcare policy and appreciate the implications of this on engagement Experience of staff management Experience of working at a senior level with responsibility for multiple project

Skills, capabilities and behaviours:

Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales Able to liaise with a wide range of external collaborators including international partners, health service and academic professionals Ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others

Desirable role criteria:

Knowledge and experience:

Experience of obtaining external research funds through grant applications

Equality and diversity:

An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationship

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 60,494, UK Health Security Agency contributes 17,525 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%

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

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

Stage 1: Application & Sift

At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job advert.


You will be required to complete an:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) Up to 1500 character Statement of Suitability

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

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large amount of applications, we will sift on:

Knowledge and work experience of communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance and prevention including STIs and BBVs PhD or equivalent experience in public health, epidemiology, health promotion, health-care research or similar Experience of working at a senior level with responsibility for multiple projects

We will take forward those that meet all of the essential criteria.


Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview stage (competency based):

You will be invited to a remote interview.


During the interview you will be assessed on knowledge, experience, skills and ability against the essential criteria.


Assessment/presentation:


You will be asked to prepare and present a 10-minute presentation at the start of your interview. Presentation topic:

Describe what is stigma related to HIV, how would you address it at the national level and what tools would you use to measure it?'


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).


Security Clearance Level Requirement:


All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:


DBS Requirement:

Basic DBS

For this role you will also need to meet:

Security Clearance (SC)

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Core HQ in Colindale, 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)


If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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. In exceptional circumstances 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.


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.

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.



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 security 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

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 : Tom Geldeard Email : Tom.Geldeard@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