About the job

Job summary

We are recruiting a senior scientist to the hepatitis team at UKHSA. The post-holder will be responsible for the co-ordination and early-phase delivery of future developments and improvements to Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring (UAM) Survey of People Who Inject Drugs and to broader hepatitis surveillance systems.

The role involves evidence building through analysis of surveillance data, public health monitoring, evaluating the impact of interventions, and preparing surveillance outputs, scientific reports, and articles. You will build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. You will have strong data management and analysis skills, ideally with experience in surveillance data, excellent interpersonal skills, and an ability to work effectively both autonomously and within a team.

In general, the postholder will be expected to lead on the implementation and management of one or more surveillance systems within the division. This post will require project management and management of staff. The postholder will lead on behalf of the division on developing and designing datasets, managing the collation and validation of data, and the timely production of outputs (e.g. reports and articles). The postholder will be expected to lead on the analysis of datasets, to provide advice and guidance on specialist aspects of the analyses, to interpret and prepare scientific reports and articles of the results and to undertake further research. The postholder will contribute to the teaching activities of the division.

In general, the postholder will be expected to cope with multiple and changing demands, and to meet tight deadlines. The postholder will be expected to have a high level of intellectual rigour and to advise and make recommendations regarding the development of strategy and implementation of systems. A high level of tact and diplomacy is required and an ability to understand other cultures to enable effective working across organisational boundaries and influencing without authority.

Location

This role will be based in Colindale, London NW9 5EQ.

UKHSA offers hybrid working for its employees – This role will be based at UKHSA offices in Colindale with opportunities for an element of working from home.

Currently this requires working from an allocated UKHSA base location for 60%, from the beginning of 2024.

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.

Job description

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.

Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI & HIV Division

The Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV (BSHSH) Division is the national centre for surveillance of hepatitis, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in England. It is within the Public Health Programmes (PHP) Directorate of the Clinical and Public Health (CPH) Group and is based mainly in Colindale, north London. The Division consists of around 100 permanent and project-funded medical, scientific, technical and administrative staff including epidemiologists, public health specialists, microbiologists, virologists, data managers and statisticians. The Division works closely with other Divisions, particularly Immunisation and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Health Equity, Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance and Reference and Specialist Microbiology Services and with the Analytics and Data Sciences Directorate and Health Protection Operations. The Division also works in partnership with both national and regional teams in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), NHS England and NHS Improvement and NHSBT. The Division is also closely involved with the work of the NIHR-funded Health Protection Research Units, which are collaborative ventures involving UKHSA and academia.

The BSHSH Division aims to:

• Describe trends in the incidence and prevalence of hepatitis, STIs and HIV, especially in important behavioural population sub-groups;
• Describe trends in the incidence and prevalence of all infections transmissible through blood, tissue and organ donations;
• Provide national reference and specialist microbiology and virology services, for public health, clinical and diagnostic purposes;
• Monitor the outputs and effectiveness of hepatitis, STI and HIV prevention activities and programmes and support development of national policy;
• Provide information for local needs assessment, service commissioning and evaluation, and to guide prevention activities aimed at reducing risk behaviours and interrupting infection transmission, including through blood, organ and tissue donation;
• Investigate national and uncommon outbreaks, respond to international health alerts, and provide advice on the risks posed;
• Train those working in blood safety and in hepatitis, STI and HIV surveillance, monitoring and prevention,
• Lead and contribute to research in hepatitis, STI and HIV epidemiology, diagnostics, and infection prevention and control.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

See details in attached Job Description

• Surveillance
• Outbreak Investigation
• Research
• Publications and presentations
• Teaching and Training
• Other

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 1,500 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential criteria

• First degree in a science subject
• Higher degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or an allied subject, or equivalent
• Postgraduate work/study in public health, epidemiology or an allied subject
• Interpreting and evaluating epidemiological data, using Access/ SQL databases, spreadsheets, statistical and graphics packages to an advanced level
• Statistical analysis of large and complex epidemiological datasets
• Managing epidemiological studies and outbreak investigation
• Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly to include excellent oral and experience of writing scientific papers and/or project reports
• Identify and solve day-to-day practical problems
• Ability to work on several separate tasks at the same time, whilst keeping to agreed deadlines
• Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources and to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable criteria

• Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders and an ability to liaise with a range of health professionals and scientific specialists

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 1,500 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 1500 words)

Please use your personal statement (maximum 1500 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.

Candidates might also be required to prepare and deliver a 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.

Expected Timeline:  

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 14/02/2024 – 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.