About the job

Job summary

The Field Services Directorate (FSD) was established to provide a national comprehensive service which is geographically dispersed and integrates epidemiological, microbiological, and data sciences capacities and skills to deliver high-quality, consistent infectious disease surveillance and outbreak investigations. FSD provides an effector arm for UKHSA, supporting the translation of evidence into practice, as well as having a role in strengthening surveillance through close links with the NHS, academic centres, and other partners. FSD also provides effective leadership and coordination of the UKHSA applied epidemiology training function.

The Epidemiology and Information Analyst role within the Field Service South West will involve supporting outbreaks and epidemiological investigations through collecting, extracting and analysing data and managing, maintaining and updating databases.  The post holder will contribute to surveillance activities by adapting and developing routines and undertaking descriptive analysis to support the production of routine surveillance reports. The post holder will also be required to undertake statistical tests and use common statistical, database and mapping software and tools to support analysis, such as producing tables, graphs, maps etc. and running queries.

Location

This role is located in the UKHSA Bristol office (2 Rivergate, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6EH) with occasional travel within the geographical area of responsibility and travel elsewhere/nationally as maybe required by the post.

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 the UKHSA office in Bristol. 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.

*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

Job description

Responsibilities section:

As an Epidemiology and Information Analyst your main responsibilities will include:

Outbreak support and epidemiological investigation

• Where appropriate, support the maintenance of outbreak and incident databases, the development of data extraction tools and automated routines and undertake basic descriptive and trend analysis
• Contribute to the production of outbreak reports

 Surveillance

• Adapt and develop automated routines to support surveillance activities, following and advising on Standard Operating Procedures and contribute to and support the production of routine surveillance reports including basic descriptive analysis
• Respond to routine data requests

Research

• Adapt queries and undertake basic analysis of data to support research

Statistical skills

• Undertake basic statistical tests, under guidance

Software skills

• Use common statistical/database/mapping tools as part of pre-defined routines
• Undertake basic analytical skills using common software packages to support analysis such as producing tables, graphs etc. and running queries

Quality and governance

• Be aware of, and comply with, information governance guidance including for example the secure storage and transfer of PII
• Support audit through data extraction and basic analysis

Workforce and HR

• Be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these.

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 review the job description for a full list of roles and responsibilities.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description, you must review this to produce your statement of suitability):

Essential

• 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
• Experience and understanding of Standard Operating Procedures
• Knowledge/experience of working in an NHS environment and/or epidemiology / public
• Good oral and written communication (including presentation) skills
• 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
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Desirable

• Knowledge and experience of common statistical/database/mapping software and tools
• Understand information governance issues including an awareness of data protection and confidentiality requirements

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 full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – 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 post 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. Candidates will also be asked to prepare and deliver a brief presentation to the panel.  This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment.  The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role.  Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

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.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 22nd April 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: w/c 29th April 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.