Job Description

Details

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Reference number

435282

Salary

46,310 - 52,113
per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Science

Other

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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London- Colindale (Scientific Campus)

About the job

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Job summary

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.

AntiMicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMR & HCAI) Division

The mission of the division is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and interventions.


The AMR & HCAI Division is the national centre for surveillance of AMR & HCAI in England. The Division is multidisciplinary including epidemiologists/public health specialists, analysts, microbiologists, data managers, statisticians, IT specialists and administrative staff. The Division is responsible for a range of national surveillance programmes that collect epidemiological data on a number of HCAIs and invasive bacterial infections, as well as monitoring antimicrobial usage and resistance.


This post within the Surveillance and Epidemiology Section of the AMR & HCAI Division provides epidemiological and data management support across a number of areas. There are a number of areas of focus within the Surveillance and Epidemiology Section of the Division, including but not limited to:

Surgical Site Infection Surveillance (SSI) Streptococcal Infections Antimicrobial Resistance and Prescribing (AMRP) Mandatory Surveillance of Bloodstream Infections including Gram negative infections and Clostridium difficile Infections in Critical Care Units (ICCU)

Job description

The post holder will:

lead and contribute to enhanced surveillance systems and research studies of Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance and Prescribing, and lead and support the data collection and validation, and production of routine surveillance intelligence in these areas. analyse and interpret surveillance data and develop automated routines and solutions as well as overseeing and responding to more complex or sensitive data requests. This will be through their application of, and expertise in, analytical, statistical, database, mapping and web tools, underpinned by knowledge of information and data science approaches. contribute to public health scientific analyses and writing reports on specific projects, regular and ad hoc publications and peer reviewed publications. carry out the epidemiological investigation of incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases, supporting others across the division, local Health Protection Teams and in collaboration with other partners.

Contributions to the work and professional development of other staff in the team are also expected, and this may extend to Health Protection colleagues to improve services and information quality. Liaison with colleagues across the Directorate, wider UKHSA and NHS colleagues at regional/local level will also be required.

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Surveillance and Data Analysis

1. Identify surveillance needs within given lead areas, create surveillance system specifications, conduct complex statistical analyses and interpret surveillance data, making appropriate recommendations, develop automated routines and solutions and supervise / assure on the preparation, quality and delivery of routine and ad hoc surveillance reports.


2. Develop and utilise information and intelligence systems to underpin public health action, including outbreak and incident response, across disciplines and organisations, and lead collation and interpretation of relevant data to develop the most appropriate analyses from a range of sources.


3. Respond to complex or sensitive data requests including Parliamentary Questions.

Enhanced surveillance and Epidemiological Investigations

4. Where appropriate, lead and manage the technical and analytical (including data management) aspects of enhanced surveillance within the HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU & Sepsis Division, e.g. write protocol of analytical studies, contribute to the data collection, develop questionnaires and train interviewers.


5. Analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative data and research evidence from a range of sources to make recommendations and inform decision making which may have long term impacts;

Statistical and software skills

6. Apply a range of common statistical tests and algorithms and translate statistical processes into automated solutions where appropriate


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

Audit, Quality and Governance

8. Advise on quality and governance issues including information security for all aspects of surveillance work, evaluating existing systems, and use to improve standards and consistency across the team.


9. Contribute to the HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU & Sepsis Division quality programme such as through audit and be responsible for the quality of data collected, stored and extracted and transferred.

Research

10. Project manage research studies, analysing datasets with appropriate methodology to answer research questions, supported by the systematic review of literature and with knowledge of how to develop a grant proposal, and apply for ethical approval.


11. Present at scientific conferences, programme area meetings and other for a and publish and present scientific papers on public health surveillance, respiratory viruses and infectious disease control in collaboration with health, public health, academic and other partners.

Management / workforce / HR

12. Effectively manage others and yourself: lead, supervise and motivate team members; effectively appraise, manage performance, and address HR/disciplinary issues for staff line managed; be recruiting manager for posts, update job descriptions, be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these.

Teaching / Training

13. Contribute to teaching/training programmes and activities (including to the development of teaching material and courses) on surveillance, epidemiology information science, data management, information governance and quality and support ongoing training activities within the team and Division.

Strategic thinking

14. Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders and partners, actively engage in meetings with internal and external colleagues, identify potential problems and seek to resolve and undertake a lead role for a specific topic or function area, as requested by the Section Lead/Lead Epidemiologist.

Project management

15. Coordinate and lead projects such as the implementation of new systems and processes.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

MSc (or equivalent qualification) in Epidemiology, public health or allied scientific discipline or equivalent level of experience working on analysis of public health data Completion of the Field Epidemiology Training Programme or equivalent training and experience Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting Experience of interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, sensitive health data analyses Demonstrable experience of public health, health protection or epidemiology including experience of complex and/or sensitive health data analyses Experience of using epidemiological and statistical software packages Knowledge of health and social care environment, and roles and responsibilities within it including information flows in the NHS and allied services Experience of using epidemiological and statistical software methods and packages Understand of information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements Excellent oral and written communication skills with proven presentation and scientific report writing skills Proficient in common statistical/database/mapping tools such as STATA, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc. Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders Able to work under own initiative, respond to sudden unexpected demands whilst maintaining a professional calm and efficient manner

Desirable Criteria:

Experience of teaching epidemiology and/or surveillance Experience of research activities with one or more first author publications in peer reviewed journals Training in research methods, infectious disease epidemiology, surveillance and/or public health

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 46,310, UK Health Security Agency contributes 13,416 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.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based


You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 13 essential criteria, in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 750 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 pile meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.


Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may complete an initial sift on the lead criteria of:

MSc (or equivalent qualification) in Epidemiology, public health or allied scientific discipline or equivalent level of experience working on analysis of public health data Proficient in common statistical/database/mapping tools such as STATA, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc

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


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single remote interview.


Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.


There will be an R or stata Technical Test- details will be shared with those candidates invited to interview.


Interview dates 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.

Selection Process

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.

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 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) based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

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. 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.

Salary Information

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.

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.

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: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers

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 UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

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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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

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Job contact :

Name : Lisa Tweedie Email : lisa.tweedie@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


http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7579504