About the job

Job summary

This role will be to join the UKHSA SIREN study team. SIREN (SARS-CoV-2 Immunity & Reinfection EvaluatioN) is a large-scale study of health care workers, focused on increasing our understanding of whether individuals with COVID-19 are protected from future SARS-CoV-2 infection and the impact of COVID-19 vaccination. The SIREN study has expanded its remit to other respiratory infections including influenza and RSV. This is a high-profile study with multiple deliverables and collaborations. 

SIREN is within the Healthcare Associated Infection, Fungal, Antimicrobial Resistance, Antimicrobial Utilisation & Sepsis Division (Clinical & Public Health group) of UKHSA. 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.

Location

10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU / Hybrid Working

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working

Job description

Responsibilities section:

As the Database Manager your main responsibilities will include:

• Work on the design, implementation and management of databases to handle data flows securely and efficiently for the duration of the programme of work
• Demonstrate knowledge of suitable statistical platforms (e.g. R, STATA, SAS etc.) and/or programming languages (e.g. Python, perl etc), as well as existing software to enable large scale data manipulation as well as a thorough understanding and practical knowledge of SQL.
  • Write SQL queries on request
  • Maintain and create stored procedures within SQL servers
  • Troubleshoot SQL problems
  • Write and troubleshoot STATA scripts
• Responsible for collating and assessing the feasibility of linking health record datasets
• Work in collaboration with colleagues to identify key variables in order to link records involving a combination of formal identifiers (e.g. NHS numbers) and informal variables (e.g. sex, age etc.), and where possible, identify additional information to inform the linkage
• Address key issues with record linkage including data divergence, redundancy and data overlap
• Lead on assessing the accuracy and completeness of health record data as well as cleaning and standardizing the datasets
• Navigating and negotiating data access issues through partners within UKHSA, NHS England and Improvement and NHS Digital, etc 
• Assist in the generation, evaluation and comparison of routine enhanced surveillance reports
• Contribute as part of the data team in responding to ad-hoc queries and data requests
• Responsible for producing up-to-date content for the relevant sections of the UKHSA website

 

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.

Please refer to the job description for a full list of responsibilities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

We are looking for an exceptional Database Manager.

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Relevant post-graduate qualification (or equivalent), or significant post-graduate experience in related discipline (i.e., Statistics or Epidemiology)
• Experience in the analysis and interpretation of complex datasets
• Statistical analysis and programming; using statistical/graphics software packages (SAS/Stata/SPSS/R)
• Knowledge of SQL and Microsoft 365 products
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team
• Good organisation, prioritisation and time management skills
• Knowledge of Data Protection laws and the importance of maintaining security and confidentiality

 Desirable

• Communicable diseases epidemiology and surveillance
• Experience with NHS datasets (i.e., HES)
• Knowledge of Python and/or Visual Basic Application (VBA)

Please refer to the attached job description for a full list of essential/desirable criteria.

Benefits

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview by video. 

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. 

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 6th February 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: 12th February 2024

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

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.