About the job

Job summary

National: £25,976 - £30,264

Outer: £27,722 - £32,505

Inner: £29,737 - £34,453       

We are looking for an Epidemiology and Information Analyst within the Laboratory Surveillance team which forms part of Field Services in Health Protection Operations. The Laboratory Surveillance team have responsibility for managing and supporting infectious disease reporting from both the NHS and Private sector. The team is responsible for ensuring all results which form part of the Health Protection notification regulations are being reported and meet the minimum standard required for epidemiology surveillance. The team is responsible for ensuring any new and emerging threats in infectious disease are configured for reporting by laboratories.

The post will provide support to both the national central laboratory surveillance team, and where needed regionally based Field Service teams in managing and supporting laboratories reporting to UKHSA national laboratory surveillance system (SGSS). Monitoring of daily file imports, correcting incorrect results, liaising with laboratories, and extracting data will all be main aspects of the role. Ensure national agreed objectives are being delivered successfully locally within their teams. Contribute to work in completing regular audits and ensure any anomalies in data is resolved.

INTRODUCTION

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards.  We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.

Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

Job description

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Working as part of the Laboratory Surveillance Team supporting the data flow of infectious disease reports into UKHSA national laboratory surveillance system (SGSS). The postholder will be working as part of a central team supporting regional Field Service Teams in laboratory surveillance. Support may also be required to one of the 9 regional Field Service Teams managing the network of laboratories located in that geographical region. The role will involve developing and nurturing key stakeholder relationships within the NHS, working collaboratively together on a regular basis. The role will support nationally agreed objectives and initiatives for laboratory surveillance and contribute to the successful delivery of these outcomes. The role is data driven and data management and support being the key focus.

This role offers the opportunity to support in solving some of the most complex operational challenges laboratory surveillance is facing, both today and in the future. As such, our ideal candidate thrives in a challenging environment, is motivated by making an impact and delivering results, and is comfortable with at times, working under pressure as well as working to strict timelines. A keen eye for detail and problem solving is required.

The role is ideal for new qualified candidates who want to gain experience in a data driven environment and who has an interest in Public Health.

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates 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 locations (mainly Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).  Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting NHS and Private sector laboratories in ensuring they are reporting all mandatory infectious disease results to UKHSA.
• Managing and supporting quality assurance of results being fed into UKHSA national laboratory surveillance system (SGSS). Such as correcting failed translations and validation errors.
• Manage and monitor frequency of reporting and where necessary support the regathering of data.
• Building collaborative relationships with operational stakeholders, such as NHS and Private laboratories.
• Support the wider team in ensuring regular audits are being complete on laboratory data as part of a wider quality assurance framework.
• Support Field Service in extracting and analysing data from SGSS to help support them in epidemiological and surveillance activities.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 1,250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential criteria

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) or relevant experience in the maintenance and analysis of data
• Analytical skills and experience of basic statistical tests including performing basic descriptive and trend analysis
• Experience of report writing
• Experience of maintaining, analysing and interpreting data using common software packages such as Microsoft Office
• Knowledge and experience of common statistical/database/mapping software and tools
• Understand information governance issues including an awareness of data protection and confidentiality requirements
• Ability to produce work of high quality and accuracy to deadlines including when under pressure
• Good organisation, prioritisation, and time management skills and able to work in a multidisciplinary team, as well as on own initiative

Desirable criteria

• Experience and understanding of Standard Operating Procedures
• Knowledge/experience of working in an NHS environment and/or epidemiology / public
• Ability to adapt queries and undertake basic analysis of data to support research
• An interest in public health and statistical analysis.

Benefits

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA 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 Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

 

Things you need to know

Selection process details

As part of the application process, you will also be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1,250 words outlining why you will be suitable for the role.

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.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

To apply for this role, you will be asked to complete an application and a personal statement (maximum 1,250 words)

Please use your personal statement (maximum 1,250 words) to demonstrate how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for this role, in reference to the essential criteria detailed in the person specification section.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview via Teams

All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on the criteria for the role outlined in the person specification.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess your Behaviours/Strengths/Ability/ Experience/Technical skills.
 
Behaviours to be assessed:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others
• Changing and Improving

Expected Timeline: 

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 28/02/2024 – 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.

Interviews date: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

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.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance. If the candidate does not hold this level of clearance it can be applied for on appointment.

People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

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: Complaints1@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. 

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.