Job Description

Details

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Reference number

433018

Salary

60,494 - 70,566
Per annum, Pro Rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Fixed term

Length of employment

x1 Permanent & x1 FTC till 01/09/2027

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

2

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

The Respiratory Virus Section, leads on the surveillance of influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and other seasonal respiratory viruses as well as monitoring and evaluation of respiratory virus vaccination programmes. The section also has a key role in supporting the surveillance of emerging respiratory viruses.


The Immunisation and Vaccine-preventable Disease Division is looking for a highly-capable public health / epidemiology scientist with advanced data skills and well-developed skills in epidemiological assessment to join a team working on the surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases.


We are currently recruiting for two G7 Scientists, one permanent post and one FTC (2 years).


The postholder will have responsibility for providing specialist epidemiology expertise on respiratory viruses and vaccine preventable diseases. This may include take a leading role in and maintaining and developing surveillance systems, overseeing surveillance reports, and monitoring and evaluating vaccination programmes. The postholder will have responsibility for management of scientific staff and will work with internal and external stakeholders.. In addition, the post holder will contribute to the management of national incidents, including the investigation and control of outbreaks, development of new analyses and the support of other scientists and colleagues working directly in these areas.

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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.

Job description

You will be expected to achieve the specific duties with a high degree of autonomy and through working with staff from a wide range of disciplines in the NHS, UKHSA, and other organisations. They will provide leadership in the production development and enhancement of surveillance systems and production of surveillance reports. The post holder will represent the Immunisation & Vaccine Prevention Diseases Division, UKHSA as appropriate, in local, national and international initiatives and meetings. S/he will deputise for Divisional consultants/ Grade 6 scientific staff when appropriate.

Research and Development

To develop and analyse special surveillance studies and studies into the efficacy of vaccines, and use knowledge gained to inform vaccination strategies. To prepare bids for external funding for research projects including international collaborations. To write and publish results of research and surveillance studies in peer-review journals and present these papers at national and international meetings or conferences.

Software skills

Use common statistical/database tools such as R, SQL, and Stata in routine reports, surveillance activities and the development of solutions Undertake complex analytical and programming tasks using common and specialist software packages to undertake data extractions, analysis and validation.

Surveillance of vaccine preventable disease

To develop processes for streamlining the analysis of surveillance data and production of outputs and lead on the transfer of existing vaccine preventable disease surveillance systems into a SQL and R-based environment. To lead on ensuring continued provision of data from different central datasets used alongside laboratory testing data for surveillance of vaccine programmes. To lead the development of surveillance systems and manage scientific staff responsible for data collection to improve and enhance the quality of data collected and disseminated. To lead collaborative surveillance within UKHSA between the Immunisation Department and the appropriate UKHSA specialist and reference laboratories, providing epidemiological expertise to regular meetings with virology staff from the UKHSA Specialist Microbiology and Laboratories Directorate. To provide specialist advice on the epidemiology and interpretation of available statistics on vaccine preventable / respiratory virus diseases in response to requests for information from the NHS, DHSC, WHO and other organisations. To provide specialist scientific analysis and advice to DHSC and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) for the planning and development, implementation and monitoring of new UK immunisation programmes To communicate areas of expertise to the media through preparation of briefing materials, interviews with the medical and lay press, as well as radio and television interviews, with the support of UKHSA Press Office. To lead the interpretation of routine surveillance reports and act on surveillance signals by liaising with key stakeholders. To supervise scientists in the preparation of regular surveillance reports To prepare ad hoc reviews of various viral infections and other vaccine preventable diseases for policy development and publication in journals, including peer-reviewed journals and the medical/nursing press. To produce and review scientific papers on the subject areas of surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases for national and international journals.

Operational support including incident and outbreak investigations

To provide specialist information during incidents and outbreaks to NHSE clinicians, consultants in health protection, microbiologists, virologists, consultant epidemiologist colleagues within the wider organisation, and to other UKHSA and NHSE staff involved in the investigation and management of incidents and outbreaks of vaccine preventable disease. To participate in the investigation of incidents and outbreaks of respiratory viral infections and vaccine preventable diseases in England as requested by the lead consultant or deputy director of the Division.

Teaching and training

To contribute to teaching and training programmes for medical, scientific, nursing, pharmacy and other professional groups, in training and qualified, in UKHSA, the NHSE, and other organisations including: Postgraduate courses in public health, communicable disease, epidemiology, child health/community paediatrics, medical microbiology Immunisation updates/seminars for health professionals National and international visitors involved/interested in vaccine preventable disease surveillance and research Train and supervise scientific and clerical staff within the Division working in the same areas of surveillance and research

Management and divisional Responsibilities

Line manage scientists in the division To deputise for the consultant epidemiologists / Lead Scientific staff when appropriate. To represent the Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Division on other national or international Committees by invitation, as agreed with the Deputy Director To represent the Division at internal surveillance meetings and other meetings To contribute to the work of the Division or wider Directorate, as requested by the Deputy Director

Other

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate. All members of the Immunisation and Vaccine Preventable Disease Division (of EO grade and above) will undertake task manager training in order to support the division with any public health response activities The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization

Person specification

Essential role criteria:

First degree in a relevant biological, physical or social science subject Higher degree in epidemiology or an allied subject (MSc or PhD) or significant experience of working at a similar level in the immunisation or respiratory infections field Extensive experience in infectious disease epidemiology and surveillance Ability to analyse, summarise and interpret complex epidemiological and situational awareness data. Effective communication of epidemiological assessments to colleagues and external agencies, including high level stakeholders. High level abilities in statistical and graphics packages/environments, and use of databases and spreadsheets (e.g. R and SQL) Experience in presenting scientific papers at national and international meetings and conferences. Experience in team leadership and supervision Experience in managing public health surveillance systems. Ability to work independently, to tight deadlines and in response to unexpected demands Ability to plan and conduct multidisciplinary scientific projects. Writing clear and concise scientific papers and/or project reports To be well organised, to work in a professional and calm manner, and produce methodical accurate work Ability to maintain required levels of confidentiality An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

Extensive experience of collating, understanding and reporting situational analysis outputs
Managing collaborative, multidisciplinary projects.

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%

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 (15) essential criteria, 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, 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

Shortlisting:

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

Ability to analyse, summarise and interpret complex epidemiological and situational awareness data.

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 1500 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.

Extensive experience in infectious disease epidemiology and surveillance Effective communication of epidemiological assessments to colleagues and external agencies, including high level stakeholders. Experience in managing public health surveillance systems.


The question/subject of the presentation will be sent to successful candidates at interview stage.


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).

Temporary Appointments

if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA's Pay policy.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at 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).

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 Counter-terrorist Check.


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

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