Epidemiology and Information Systems Specialist
UK Health Security Agency
About the job
Job summary
The Epidemiology and Information Systems Specialist works closely with UKHSA and NHS colleagues to support data capture, data quality and data management. Working within the Field Service Midlands team, the postholder will act as the team’s primary liaison with laboratories across the Midlands to secure the reporting of timely and high quality infectious disease test data to UKHSA’s Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS).
Through the application of specialist skills, the post holder will undertake complex tasks with regards to database development and management, using modern tools and methodologies.
The role will involve supporting outbreaks and epidemiological investigations through the creation and administration of outbreak databases and through providing advice and expertise on data sources and capture.
The post holder will contribute to UKHSA’s surveillance work by supporting the implementation of new, and the improvement of existing, surveillance systems.
The post holder will support users through providing ongoing support and training and will also be required to contribute to a robust quality assurance programme.
The post also supports response to incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases and works on the analysis, visualisation and communication of data.
Key systems for this include the SGSS web application, SQL Server and Power BI.
Liaison with laboratories, as well as with other internal and external stakeholders, is an important feature of this role.
The main duties and responsibilities for the role are displayed below
Job description
Specific duties of the role may vary depending on the site and teams/functions.
Outbreak support and epidemiological investigation
1. Advise on data availability and capture during outbreaks and create and administer outbreak databases
Surveillance
2. Support the development and operational testing of, and implement, new surveillance systems and provide ongoing support and training as required
3. Maintain and improve existing surveillance databases, validating the quality of surveillance data including the development and use of automated routines and through audit
4. Produce and update Standard Operating Procedures
Research
5. Develop and maintain study databases including advising on data linkage, storage and design
Software skills
6. Develop solutions and apply specialist skills using common database/mapping/web tools such as ArcGIS, SQL, SharePoint etc.
7. Undertake more complex analytical tasks using common software packages to support data extractions, analysis and validation, including programming and using web-based technologies
Communication
8. Present internally or to local partners on lead area / specialty
Teaching
9. Teach colleagues on surveillance systems and database management
Quality and Governance
10. Ensure that data transfer, extraction and storage of data are appropriate and secure
11. Identify data quality issues and implement data validation and correction solutions based on guidance from senior staff and policy
12. Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery procedures are in place for databases and systems
Workforce/HR
13. Be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these, leading and motivating team members and effectively appraising and managing performance for staff line managed
Project management
14. Contribute to and ensure the delivery of project outcomes such as the implementation of new systems and processes
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• The post holder will identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with their line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. safeguarding, fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
OTHER DUTIES
• The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Division.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation
For more information on the Job description and main duties please see the attached JD
Person specification
Essential criteria
• Educated to degree level in public health or information science/systems or equivalent experience.
• Higher qualification in in information science / systems or equivalent experience
• Knowledge and experience of data sources, data capture mechanisms, data linkage, data validation and quality assurance through audit
• Experience in creating, supporting and maintaining systems and databases
• Proficient in a common database/mapping/web tools such as SQL, GIS, SharePoint etc. including experience of developing solutions
• Experience of contributing to and ensuring the successful delivery of project relating to information systems
• Understand information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders and work in a multidisciplinary team
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Desirable criteria
• Experience in the production of Standard Operating Procedures
• Experience in the operational testing, development and implementation of new systems
• Experience of appraising staff and managing performance
• Skills to undertake more complex analytical tasks using common software packages to support data extractions, analysis and validation, including programming
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £30,473, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,227 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
Selection process
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification below. This assessment will be in the form of
- CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 750 words Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
The CV and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
As part of the interview you will be required to undertake a presentation, details of this will be provided to you.
Interviews will be held week commencing 22nd July. Please note, these dates are subject to change. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location information
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 your core location - Birmingham or Nottingham.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Disability Confident scheme
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.
Reserve List
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.
Starting salary
Entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment .
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
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.