About the job

Job summary

The UK Field Epidemiology Training Programme (UKFETP) is a full-time, competency based 2-year specialist postgraduate training programme. The programme is aimed at medical, scientific, veterinary or nursing staff who are, or whose future career may be, in a post involving field investigation and epidemiology or public health microbiology and who want to further enhance their specialist epidemiology skills. The programme provides training and experience to develop the core competencies agreed for field epidemiologists in the United Kingdom and in the European Union (EU). For further information about the programme, please review the prospectus or contact the team (details below)

Prior to completing the application, please review the instructions on how to complete as this will greatly increase your chance of being selected for interview.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Job description

Training is provided mainly on the job with at least ten percent of time dedicated to formally taught training courses. Fellows will be based in an UKFETP training location for the two-year fellowship. The training locations include national public health centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or local UKHSA teams. Fellows are expected to relocate for the duration of the training programme.

In order to conduct the main duties of the fellowship, you are required to be educated to postgraduate level and have demonstrable experience of working within public health, health protection, microbiology with some public health microbiology component, infection prevention and control or epidemiology. You will be an excellent team member and have an understanding of public health systems in your country of work. You will be familiar with analysis, interpretation and presentation of scientific data. You will be able to demonstrate how the UKFETP could be of value to your future career.  This call is specifically for ringfenced posts available to higher specialist trainees in microbiology, infectious diseases and virology. This route into UKFETP has been opened up as part of a pilot to improve access to those not currently working as epidemiologists but working in related specialties.

Main Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the role are detailed in the attached job description. Other expectations are detailed below.

Relocation: Individuals currently contracted by UKHSA and working in a UKFETP training site are expected to relocate to an alternate site for the duration of the programme. However, consideration will be given for extenuating circumstances.

Sites: Different training sites are available each year on a rotational basis. The location of the training placement for each individual will be determined after interview based on the fellow’s learning needs and work interests, and on performance at interview.

Full time: The fellowship must be completed full time. 

Travel: Training within or outside the UK may necessitate week-long residential stays. Fellows may also have the opportunity to undertake national projects and international missions.

Previous FETP: We would not consider applications from those that have already completed an FETP programme.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Medical degree MBBS or equivalent qualification
• Combined Infection Certificate Examination (CICE)

Desirable criteria

• Masters’ degree or PhD in a scientific discipline with a significant health (human or animal), public health, epidemiology or data analysis component or Diploma in Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• MRCP (UK)

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria

• Completed Core Infection Training Years 1 &2
• Demonstrable experience of working within Public Health, Infectious diseases, Clinical microbiology with a public health microbiology component or Infection prevention control, Health Protection or epidemiology for at least 18 months by the date of application deadline
• Understanding principles of public health in relation to infection and outbreak management
• Experience of interpreting and evaluating data in response to an evolving situation or outbreak response
• Experience of managing data, undertaking basic analysis and presenting information in reports and presentations
• Experience of audit/evaluation or research activities

Skills / Capabilities / Behaviours

Essential criteria

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Able to make sense of complex information and imperfect data to draw meaningful conclusions
• Able to undertake analysis of health datasets
• Be able to demonstrate a keen interest in applied epidemiology, such as evidenced by career progression and/or CPD to date
• Be able to demonstrate how the UKFETP will be of benefit to them and their career path
• Be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for being in a learner role and receiving supervision and feedback

Equality and Diversity

Essential criteria

• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Things you need to know

Selection process details

Other Information

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

Applicants are strongly advised to read the instruction on how to complete the application and use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.

For further details relating to this post, please refer to the accompanying Job Description and Person Specification and the UKHSA website on Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP).

Successful applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start date (12 September 2024). The UKFETP cannot provide sponsorship.

For an informal discussion, please contact the UKFETP office at fetp@ukhsa.gov.uk

Interviews will be held on 27th June 2024. Successful candidates will begin the programme on 12th September 2024.

Closing Date: 23.59 02/06/2024

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.