Job Description

UKHSA will build on the legacy of the COVID-19 response to ensure resilient and scalable infrastructure to secure the UK in the strongest position to protect the public from future threats to health.



UKHSA mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. To achieve our objectives effectively and fairly, we commit to representing modern Britain and all its diversity. UKHSA recognises that diversity of background and life experience brings different insights, creates challenge, and encourages change and innovation. This in turn produces more accountable and trusted public services and better decisions; better because they are more attuned to the needs and interests of all our communities. Differences of thought and outlook are not only respected but expected. We want all our employees to feel that they can be themselves at work and that they are valued.



Digital and Data



The UKHSA Digital and Data Directorate provides strategic leadership and oversight for developing and managing a common and bespoke suite of performant, modern, secure, data and analytical tools, services, platforms and applications, ensuring access to high quality data and analytics services, internally and externally.



There is a Market pay supplement available for this position of 10,000 up until the end of June 2026.



You will work in the Data Engineering and Enablement Division that reports into the Digital and Data Directorate. It's an exciting time to join as we seek to create leading Health Protection data capabilities that enable data scientists and data analysts to develop insights that inform public health decisions with resilience platforms and curated data assets.



The core activities of Engineering and Enablement include the ingestion of data sources, building data pipelines, curated data views and data capabilities fused from data, models and software that enable the exploitation of data by analysts, data scientists and MI teams.



The role as a Solution Data Engineer, you will be responsible for the design on how data is collated, managed, and used within the organisation, to support in identifying opportunities and to optimise data practice. This role will also require the ongoing management of documentation related to systems delivered by Engineering & Enablement.



You will be involved in the delivery life cycle from engaging with stakeholders on new initiatives, analysing use cases, developing optimal solutions and designs, that where possible, re-use and extend capabilities, and implement an optimal design.



We work collaboratively in agile multi-disciplinary teams, and we are looking for solution data engineers who can operate in an environment that values DevOps principles and agile methodologies.



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



We are seeking to mature our advanced platform capabilities with standardised practices, machine learning and agility needed to pro-actively detect and respond to new public health issues. We are looking for a Solution Data Engineer to work as part of the Data Engineering and Enablement team to support the operation and the development of our Data platforms, specifically:



Work closely with Data Design and Architecture to lead the design and maintenance of scalable and reliable infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and continuous optimisation.



Prepare and deliver the detail solution for Data Engineering based on the architectural designs.



Serve as a technical leader, leading and guiding teams through the implementation of AWS solutions. Provide mentorship and knowledge transfer to team members.



Provide detailed specifications for proposed solutions including time and scope involved.



Lead in creating practical demonstrations of proposed solutions and demonstrating them to other members of the team.



Analyse current technologies used within the Digital land Data Directorate develop steps and processes to improve.



Account for possible project challenges or constraints and proactively seek to manage challenges.



Serve as a technical leader, guiding teams through the implementation of solutions. Provide mentorship and knowledge transfer to team members.



Implement security best practices, including access control and threat detection, and ensure compliance with industry standards.



Collaborate with cross-functional teams and effectively communicate technical concepts and solutions to non-technical stakeholders.



We are developing our engineering community of practice to share knowledge, enhance our standards and processes to provide a strong foundation to develop individuals, teams and innovation and you will play a critical part in enhancing the engineering community of practice.



The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Essential Criteria:

Significant experience a Solution or Data Engineer, with hands-on experience in both routine business operations and projects addressing data processing and advanced analytic challenges.



Strong relationship building and stakeholder management



Knowledge of designing / building cloud native software on a platform such as AWS



Extensive knowledge/experience at an enterprise scale of data management platforms and development with SQL Server



Experience with data security principles and systems designed to protect sensitive data



Desire to create and maintain solution designs in an iterative and collaborative manner



Ability to think strategically about business, product and technical challenges



Excellent technical skills with the experience to be held accountable for technical aspects of delivering complex solutions, including end-to-end solution design, delivery governance, assurance and support for Engineers and Heads of Data Engineering



Great interpersonal skills allowing you to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders alike



Ability to troubleshoot and solve numerical and technical problems



High attention to detail



You can drive discussions with senior leaders as well as having the technical background that will enable you to easily interact and give guidance to engineers and end users.



Selection process details



This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1 - Application & Sift:

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 12 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a :



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



Up to 1250-word Statement of Suitability



This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.



The Application form and Statement of Suitability 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



Piles Meets all essential criteria will be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting:

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



Knowledge of designing / building cloud native software on a platform such as AWS



Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.



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.



Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:

Technical Test



If you pass the shortlisting stage, you will be asked to complete a technical test. If you pass the technical test you will progress to the interview stage.

Stage 3:

Interview (success profiles)



You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.



Behaviours, technical, experience, ability and strengths will be tested at interview.



There will be a 5-10-minute presentation at interview, based on the technical test you completed.

The Behaviour's tested during the interview stage will be:

Changing and Improving (lead)



Making Effective Decisions



Communicating and Influencing



Managing a Quality Service



Working at Pace



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Location



This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ's. 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) working at one of UKHSA's core HQ's (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).



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).



Eligibility Criteria



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 Security Clearance.



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 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) 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.