Job Description

Details

-----------

Reference number

420305

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
(Inner)

Contract type

Fixed term

Length of employment

FTC until 31/03/2030

Business area

Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV (BSHSH) Division to

Type of role

Science

Other

Working pattern

Flexible working, 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

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


London - Colindale

About the job

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Job summary

Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division

The Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV (BSHSH) Division is the national centre for surveillance of hepatitis, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in England. It is based in Colindale, north London. The Division consists of around 100 permanent and project-funded medical, scientific, technical and administrative staff including epidemiologists, public health specialists, microbiologists, virologists, data managers, statisticians and IT specialists. The Division is also closely involved with the work of the NIHR-funded Health Protection Research Units, which are collaborative ventures involving UKHSA and academia.


We are looking for a Principle Scientist to join the Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV (BSHSH) Division to work as part of the third NIHR funded Blood Borne and Sexually Transmitted Infections Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU). The postholder will be part of a dynamic team at UKHSA and in partnership with the University College London and will work towards key deliverables focusing on prevention and control, diagnoses and treatment and the delivery of sustainable and equitable services for STIs and BBVs.


Please note that this is a part time vacancy.

Job description

This role will provide critical scientific and data-management advice to individual system managers to ensure the highest standards in STI, HIV and blood borne virus (BBV) surveillance and related research.


The postholder will:

Work closely with other principal scientists working in the department and will provide scientific leadership for the surveillance and evaluation of specific control activities on STIs and BBVs With support from consultant leads the postholder will be expected to identify and develop the means to answer key questions in the evaluation of public health programmes and to provide clear evidence-based advice Be expected to lead major epidemiological research programmes and to collaborate with external stakeholders to seek research funding where necessary Have a sound understanding of STI, HIV and BBV epidemiology and should have expertise in the principles of managing large and complex surveillance systems and scientific programmes Be expected to work with a high degree of autonomy and professional accountability and maintain an up to date, highly specialised knowledge of STIs, HIV and BBVs and NHS information standards Work closely with a broad range of senior health professionals especially clinicians, epidemiologists, microbiologists, virologists and IT specialists. The role involves national and international travel to scientific and health policy meetings and conferences to present on STIs, HIV and BBVs and their control, representing the UKHSA

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

Lead and manage the design, development, introduction, audit and continuous improvement of STI and BBV outcomes using surveillance systems as required. Interpret complex statistical and epidemiological analyses of data on STIs and BBVs drawn from a variety of surveillance sources. Providing expert technical advice and assistance to public health and clinical practitioners on the design, maintenance, analysis and interpretation of these databases. 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, particularly in relation to reducing inequalities in outcomes. Provide specialist advice on the epidemiological aspects of the prevention and control of STIs and BBVs by contributing to the development of guidance, designing data collection systems, interpreting epidemiological data, conducting statistical analyses, and scientific publications. Design research questions and oversee the 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 public health 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. Work alongside other members of the BSHSH Division on business planning, strategy development, project prioritisation, and budget oversight for Section-led grants. Contribute to staff recruitment, quality assurance, Standard Operating Procedures, and governance compliance, while supporting system improvements through business cases and supplier management. Staff management responsibilities will be defined in agreement with the line manager. To plan and oversee the development of BSHSH epidemiological and applied outputs including outward facing publications including annual reports, web pages, writing of scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and to manage junior scientific and administrative colleagues in the development of manuscripts. To represent the Division on expert committees, national and local incident control teams, national/international meetings and conferences. To develop public health capacity by contributing to teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level and by supervising those training and working in public health and epidemiology. To contribute to the training for new members and existing members of staff on the epidemiology and surveillance of communicable disease, and provide training and resources to external stakeholders To participate in wider scientific activities to maintain professional standards including peer review of manuscripts.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate the following essential criteria:

Qualifications

First degree in a science subject Higher degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or an allied subject, or equivalent PhD or equivalent research experience

Knowledge / Experience

Substantial postgraduate experience Knowledge and work experience of communicable disease epidemiology, surveillance, prevention and/or public health Broad understanding of and experience of health care systems, public health and the communicable disease function in the UK Creating, validating and managing large databases and datasets Advanced statistical analysis of large and complex datasets, including knowledge and experience with STATA and/or R Writing research protocols, grant applications and scientific reports Preparing and reviewing standard operating procedures, and project plans Presenting scientific papers at national and international meetings and conferences and proven peer review publication record

Skills and Abilities

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. Liaise with a wide range of external collaborators including health service and academic professionals Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly Maintain required levels of confidentiality

Desirable role criteria:

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 Liaise with a wide range of external collaborators including health service and academic professionals Maintain 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

Stage 1 Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Competency and will assess your Skills, Knowledge and Experience.

Application Process:

You will be assessed on

all

the above listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

An Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) A Statement of Suitability up to

1000

words maximum

The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible, as CVs cannot be uploaded or emailed to us.


The statement of suitability should demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. Please

do not exceed

1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number


Your application and statement of suitability should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

Sifting Process:

The application form and statement of suitability will be marked together, and you will receive a joint score.


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

We will take through piles, '

meets all essential criteria

' and '

meets some essential criteria

' to shortlisting stage.


Shortlisting: If we receive a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

A higher degree in epidemiology, public health, microbiology, or a related discipline Advanced statistical analysis of large and complex datasets, including knowledge and experience with STATA and/or R

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 and assessment.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a single remote interview.


Interviews are expected to take place around the last week of August or the first week of September; however, please note these dates may be subject to change.


This vacancy is being assessed using

competency-based framework

. During the interview we will assess against the below:

Knowledge/Experience Skills and Ability

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.


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 our Scientific Campus in

London - 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).


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.

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.

Eligibility Criteria

External: 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

and

Counter Terrorism Check

(CTC).


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). 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

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

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


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 : Gurkamal Bhambra Email : Gurkamal.Bhambra@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


http://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/v7373838