About this role
Job summary
The post is based in the Public Health Programmes Directorate, working in the Immunisation & Vaccine Preventable Diseases (IVPD) Division. Vaccines have been identified as a key strategic priority for UKHSA. The IVPD Division is responsible for the national surveillance of most vaccine preventable infections and in providing technical support and clinical expertise to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and to the NHS in planning and delivering the national immunisation programmes. These programmes provide millions of vaccines per year, across the whole life course, and are delivered in a range of NHS settings. The directorate also provides secretariat to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation who recommend any changes to the national immunisation programme and publish "Immunisation Against Infectious Disease".The division evaluates the national programme by generating high quality data on disease incidence, vaccine coverage, age-specific immunity, vaccine efficacy and safety and analysis of vaccine policy options (with the statistics and modelling divisions). Surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases and vaccine coverage data are vital components of the evaluation of vaccination programmes in the UK. This data informs the understanding of the epidemiology of different infections and the public health impact of vaccination programmes and help develop and improve control strategies.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:
Contribute to enhanced surveillance systems and research studies of respiratory diseases Lead and support on 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. This post will also carry out the epidemiological investigation of incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases, supporting others across the directorate, local Health Protection Teams and in collaboration with other partners. This will include the design, implementation, analysis and interpretation of analytical studies in a variety of settings and supporting team members in carrying out these tasks.The post holder will contribute to public health scientific analyses and writing reports on specific projects, regular and ad hoc publications and peer reviewed publications.
Please note, the above is not exhaustive.
About us
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
Job description Job responsibilities
Surveillance
Develop, manage and maintain the surveillance databases. Manage existing national surveillance systems and co-ordinate the development of new surveillance systems for acute vaccine preventable diseases and to supervise and advise junior scientific and administrative staff in the maintenance and development of surveillance datasets. Conduct complex statistical analyses of data on vaccine preventable disease pathogens drawn from a variety of surveillance sources in response to ad hoc enquiries from Government agencies, international agencies, public health practitioners, academics and members of the public. Advise scientific and administrative staff conducting routine analyses of surveillance datasets for standardised outputs and ad hoc enquiries. Supervise junior scientific colleagues and the administrative team in the production of surveillance reports and publications. Assist in the design and development of new surveillance and data management systems in response to developments in the application of microbiological typing methods including contributing to the drafting of Standard Operating Procedures. Write scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and detailed reports for UKHSA or Government departments. Outbreak Investigation
Manage the technical and analytical aspects of outbreak investigations, under the supervision of the Consultant lead, by: designing outbreak databases; liaising with relevant specialists to collect epidemiological data; coordinating and advising incident teams; interviewing clinicians and patients to collect clinical and risk factor data during incidents overseeing data entry and ensuring quality control of databases; collating and interpreting epidemiological and microbiological data drawn from a variety of sources; conducting complex statistical analyses of datasets; providing statistical analyses for government agencies; writing briefing notes and situation reports; presenting epidemiological data to Incident Management Teams; contributing to the production of outbreak reports and subsequent publications. Research
Contribute to the development of research proposals. Coordinate the collection and collation of data from collaborators. Conduct statistical analyses of epidemiological and microbiological data for grant funded research projects and UKHSA programmes. Provide complex statistical analyses of surveillance/research datasets to academic units and other agencies involved in collaborative research studies under the guidance of the project leader. Contribute to the process of writing scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and project reports to funding bodies. Publications and presentations
Supervise staff in the production of departmental web outputs and editorial material. Present epidemiological findings at national and international meetings and conferences. Teaching and Training
Develop and present lectures and teaching materials on the epidemiology and surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases for UKHSA, university postgraduate and professional development training programmes. Contribute to the training for new members of staff on the epidemiology and surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases. Professional Development
Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attend internal and external training events. Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training Essential Criteria
Higher degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or an allied subject. Postgraduate work/study in public health, epidemiology or an allied subject. Interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, using SQL databases, spreadsheets, statistical packages (R) to an advanced level Ability to work independently and take responsibility for own technical work and time and to work as an effective team member Managing epidemiological studies and outbreak investigation and statistical analysis of large and complex epidemiological datasets Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly to include excellent oral and written communication skills An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships. Desirable criteria
Having a thorough understanding of recent advances in the epidemiology and microbiology of vaccine preventable diseases and presenting scientific papers at national and international conferences. Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders and an ability to liaise with a range of health professionals and scientific specialists. Selection Process Details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications,knowledgeand experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency Based
You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1000 word supporting statement. This should outline how you consider your skills, experienceand knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.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 beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000 words. We will not consider any words over1000words.
Longlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplications,we will longlist into 3 piles of:
Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.
Shortlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplications we will conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:
Interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, using SQL databases, spreadsheets, statistical packages (R) to an advanced level. Postgraduate work/study in public health, epidemiology or an allied subject. Desirable criteria may be usedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof 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
Competency Based
You will be invited to a face to face interview at our site in Colindale. If face to face interviewsareplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
You will be expected to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation. This will be on a topic related to managing epidemiological studies and analysing epidemiological data. More details will be shared if you are asked to interview.
You will also be asked a series of questions relating to assessing R and SQL knowledge.
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.
Additional Information
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) working at our campus.Based at our scientific campus, 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 UnitedKingdom 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.
Security Clearance Level RequirementSuccessful candidates must pass a basicdisclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed isCounter-Terrorist Check.
Eligibility CriteriaOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Salary InformationIf 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.
Person Specification
Application Form and Supporting Statement Essential
Application form and Supporting Statement
Essential Criteria Essential
Questions on experience, knowledge and skills
Presentation Essential
Presentation
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name UK Health Security Agency
Address Scientific Campus
Colindale
NW9 5EQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)