About the job

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

This is a fantastic opportunity to help drive forward data driven health and care research strategy and policy for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), in a role that is varied, challenging and frequently fast paced. This post is an opportunity to play a key role in in the leadership of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) data infrastructure and data science capacity and capability strategy, policy and investment portfolio, working closely with other major research funders, NHS England and Academia.

The successful applicant will have demonstrable understanding of the health and care research sector and experience of working on health data policy, strategy or research infrastructure. We are looking for a self-motivated individual who thrives in demanding but highly collaborative environments. You will need to manage challenging situations and complex problems with tact and diplomacy.

Job description

The vision of DHSC is to lead the health and care system to help people live more independent, healthier lives for longer. The Secretary of State for Health has a Statutory Duty to promote research and the use of research evidence. The Science, Research and Evidence Directorate (SRE) provides research expertise to the Department and is responsible for the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR is the nation's largest funder of health and care research and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. It does this by:

• Funding high quality, timely research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care
• Investing in world-class expertise, facilities and a skilled delivery workforce to translate discoveries into improved treatments and services
• Partnering with patients, service users, carers and communities, improving the relevance, quality and impact of our research
• Attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle complex health and social care challenges
• Collaborating with other public funders, charities and industry to help shape a cohesive and globally competitive research system
• Funding applied global health research and training to meet the needs of the poorest people in low- and middle-income countries.

Rapid advances in data science, artificial intelligence and ‘big data’ is revolutionising health and care research. This is coupled with a rapidly changing health data landscape, with DHSC committing in the data saves lives strategy to move to a system of ‘data access as default’ for the secondary uses of NHS health and social care data, including research, and the developments of the Secure Data Environment Network.

NIHR is making significant investments to harness the power of health, health related and social care data to improve the health and care of the nation through research, working closely with the NHS Data for R&D Programme, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Health Data Research UK. These investments have the potential to transform research delivery, patient care and address inequalities by using data driven approaches to identify research participants and target interventions. This role provides a unique opportunity to lead on data infrastructure and data science capacity and capability strategy, policy and investment portfolio for the NIHR.  

Person specification

• Lead on data for research strategy and policy for SRE/NIHR.
• Lead the development of a robust investment plan for data infrastructure and data science capabilities for the National Institute for Health and Care Research to support data driven health and care research.
• Ensure SRE/NIHR priorities and the NIHR research community views are represented and reflected in the ongoing development of the NHS Data for R&D Programme.
• Ensure NIHR has a robust data skills and capabilities development offer for the health and care research workforce, working closely with the NIHR Academy, HDR UK and other research funders.
• Work closely with key data providers to troubleshoot and facilitate timely and effective access to health and care data for research.
• Work with the Joint Digital Policy Unit and Health Research Authority on health data policy and legislation which is of relevance to research.
• Encourage and facilitate data driven research delivery across NIHR funded Infrastructure, including, but not limited to, the Research Delivery Network, Biomedical Research Centers, Applied Research Collaborations and the HealthTech Research Centres.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationship between SRE and key data science stakeholders, including Health Data Research UK, UK Research and Innovation, medical research charities and the wider research community.
• The post holder will also need to help lead on and/or support a variety of research policy projects in response to arising needs from across the Directorate or from the Ministerial team.

Key skills and experience required for the role

Essential:

• Demonstrable understanding of the health and care research sector and experience of working on health data policy, strategy or research infrastructure.
• Strategic skill set, with the ability to set clear direction, translating strategic priorities into clear outcome-focused policies and objectives.
• The ability to quickly build relationships with colleagues across organisational boundaries and to confidently engage with stakeholders to take account of their views.
• The ability to work at pace and produce high quality products to tight timescales
• A flexible and adaptable approach, with an ability to prioritise across a range of projects
• Evidence of robust analytical skills: being able to take information and evidence from a variety of sources in forming policy recommendations.
• The ability to present complex issues clearly and persuasively with excellent written and verbal communication.

Desirable:

• A Masters or PhD in a scientific discipline.

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds.  Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support. 

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need. 

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.    

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,116, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £14,354 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Sift date: W/C 29/07/2024 

Interview date: expected W/C 12/08/2024

Interview location: By video. Further details will be released to candidates who are successful at sift. 

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores. 

Applications will be sifted on CV and Behaviours.

Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert. Please also include a list of your relevant qualifications. 

An initial sift based on CV may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours.

Candidates will be asked to give a presentation which will assess Behaviour: Seeing the Big Picture. Details of the presentation question will be issued to candidates with the release of the sift scores.

To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service Careers Website here 

Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available. 

Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.

Qualifications required for the role will be checked and verified by the vacancy holder as part of the onboarding process. You may also be asked to provide evidence that any qualifications obtained overseas are equivalent to those advertised.

This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Terms and Conditions

Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. 

New Entrants to the Civil Service

New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
• Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Probation: 6 month probation period

Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion

All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). 

Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion

If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DHSC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.