About the job

Job summary

As the UK’s new health security agency, the UKHSA is relentlessly focused on protecting the public from an ever-increasing range of dangers to our health.  The impact of infectious diseases, our changing climate, biological threats, and wider health risks have made us all more aware of how important it is to feel health secure.

Within the UKHSA we are constantly working globally, regionally, and locally to prepare for, prevent and respond to the health threats we face. The impact we make is profound. We bring together world leading science, data analytics and operational expertise, and partner with industry, academia, and government. This empowers us to be ready, act quickly and keep the nation safe.

Creating a culture that our staff feel proud to be a part of will be key to our on-going success. We will develop this by listening and learning together, acting upon diverse voices and opinions to create a common sense of identity and effective ways of working underpinned by our shared values.

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is renowned for its research, postgraduate studies and continuing education in public and global health.

Our mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

We embrace and value the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide. We believe that when people feel respected and included, they can be more creative, successful, and happier at work. While we have more work to do, we are committed to building an inclusive workplace, a community that everyone feels a part of, which is safe, respectful, supportive and enables all to reach their full potential.

The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST)

Launched in 2016, the UK-PHRST is an innovative government-academic partnership funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and co-led by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), with a consortium of academic and implementing partners in the UK and internationally. It is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of public health professionals and researchers with a novel integrated triple-remit of outbreak response, research and capacity strengthening to prevent and control epidemics of infectious diseases in countries eligible for UK Official Development Assistance (ODA). Both institutes contribute and are responsible for delivery of the UK-PHRST triple mandate across outbreak response, research and capacity strengthening, with LSHTM leading the research programme and UKHSA who lead the outbreak response.

The UK-PHRST has the following objectives:

1. Support partners in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) to prepare for, prevent, detect, and respond rapidly to disease outbreaks, with the aim of stopping a public health threat from becoming a health emergency
2. Identify research questions with partners and deliver rigorous research with partners that improves the evidence base for best practice in disease outbreak prevention, detection, and response in LMICs
3. Support the development of in-country capacity for an improved and rapid national response to prepare for, prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks

The UK-PHRST is a multidisciplinary team that includes a range of technical skillsets from across public health, core programme/operational management, and senior leadership. 

Joining the UK-PHRST is conditional to:

• Satisfactory completion of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• National Vetting System Security Clearance (Security Check). Individuals must either have a pre-existing Security Clearance or be able to obtain and maintain one for the duration of their employment with the UK-PHRST.
• Being declared medically ‘fit for deployment’ prior to placement. All medical appointment records will be confidentially retained in line with UKHSA information governance policies.
• Completing the UK-PHRST mandatory training programme.

JOB SUMMARY

The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Research Specialist, as a key member of the multi-disciplinary team, will provide operational delivery of the IPC research function of the UK-PHRST alongside the UK-PHRST Senior IPC Specialist and IPC Nurse.

The post holder will develop and manage a robust research and capacity strengthening portfolio to inform and improve future outbreak responses in Low and Middle-Income Countries in alignment with UKPHRST strategic goals and implementation plan.

They will be required to develop and conduct rapid operational research in support of outbreak response, in collaboration with other members of the UKPHRST and partners. They will also coordinate planned research and capacity strengthening activities. Successful applicants will demonstrate an ability to work flexibly according to fast changing situations, while ensuring academic rigour.

The post holder will work with collaborators across UKHSA, LSHTM and other academic partners, other government departments and global research institutions to deliver UKPHRST research and provide an evidence base for effective outbreak preparedness and response. The post holder will require an understanding of IPC and generic health protection skills in addition to excellent research skills.

They will be expected to travel to LMICs to conduct research and capacity strengthening on behalf of the UK-PHRST. The post holder should anticipate spending up to 40% their time overseas. They will also spend some time in the UK on teaching, training and operational research.

Positive communication and team building skills will be essential to support team dynamics and to maintain and develop good working relations with multiple partners both in the UK and overseas.

The post holder will be employed by UKHSA with an honorary contract with LSHTM. The successful applicant will be expected to work closely with both institutions and build collaborative multidisciplinary relationships with key stakeholders across their scope of work.

About Us

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.

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 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf. 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See full details in the job description attached.

• Research
• Response
• Partnership Working
• Capacity Strengthening, Teaching and Training
• Management and Leadership
• Other Duties

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

• Master’s, or PhD in Public Health, Infection Control, Epidemiology or related subject, or evidence of experience equivalent to PhD level practice
• Knowledge and understanding of health protection/ IPC during outbreaks or other public health emergencies and experience in delivering a range of research projects in this field nationally and internationally.
• Strong understanding of strengths and limitations of different research methodologies, including rapid assessments, operational research and proficiency in the use of data analysis software such as STATA and NVivo.
• Highly effective verbal, written and presentation communications skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and
• Ability to interpret, analyze and disseminate complex and/or sensitive information in a concise yet insightful way, pre-empting and evaluating issues and recommending appropriate course of action(s) to large and influential groups
• Proven ability to work independently, as well as art of a research team, and ability to meet research deadlines.
• Ability to prioritise own work effectively as well as the ability to direct activities of others including managing and motivating a team and providing professional supervision.
• Must be prepared to travel and work effectively in challenging environments including remote areas.
• Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; cultural competence – cultural sensitivity and awareness

Desirable Criteria

• Project management qualifications e.g. AGILE or equivalent experience of working at this level
• Experience of developing and delivering training programmes on a wide range of topics to different audiences.
• Ability to communicate (speak/read) at a working level in other languages, such as French, Portuguese, and/or Arabic
• Proven ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships networks in a politically sensitive and/or changing environment and ability to handle challenging issues pro-actively with problem solving

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

During the interview we will assess your competencies against the criteria outlined in the attached job description.

Expected Timeline: 

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 06/03/2024 – 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.