About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting role within the Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV (BSHSH) Division in UKHSA. As the Sexual Health Facilitator, you will be responsible for supporting the commissioning and delivery of sexual health, reproductive health, HIV and BBV services across defined geographical areas.

 You will also engage pro-actively with commissioning leads and service providers and provide support with delivery requirements such as quality assurance and data management and interpretation. There is a particular focus on supporting implementation of recent changes to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme and Towards Zero: the HIV Action Plan for England, including HIV PrEP.

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 one of UKHSA's locations (Bristol or Totnes).  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.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available. *

Job description

Responsibilities section:

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:

• Promote the commissioning and delivery of sexual health services in accordance with national standards, national clinical guidelines, including the NCSP standards, with appropriate governance processes in place and by maintaining high standards in case treatment and contact tracing and management.
• Work within and motivate existing networks that facilitate closer working between primary care and sexual health professionals and others involved in delivery of sexual health services.
• Facilitate discussion between commissioners and service providers, national and regional experts to resolve specific problems. Recognise and escalate issues that require a response from the national team(s).
• Uphold clear lines consistent with national policies and strategic decisions in response to challenge or criticism and advise on appropriate solutions to local problems.
• Engage with primary care professionals and other sexual health services as appropriate, supporting them to improve sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing (including at risk/ vulnerable groups).
• Introduce service improvements identified through quality assurance or through recognising initiatives that are progressing well and promoting exemplars.
• Together with colleagues, in particular Field Service colleagues, measure programme outcomes through the analysis and interpretation of various sources of surveillance data on STI incidence and prevalence, assist with local dissemination of relevant information, and respond to stakeholder requests for information.
• Commission, analyse, and interpret data on programme delivery and quality to inform management, especially with regard to reducing inequalities in service provision.
• Initiate and support relevant research initiatives in collaboration with others, pursue funding opportunities and contribute to scientific reports for publication.
• Coordinate and support training activities including the development and distribution of educational materials at local, regional, or national level, and organise workshops to share good practice.

Please review the Job Description for a full list of the responsibilities.

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.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1500 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):

Essential:

• Degree in science or social science subject, or related field
• Higher degree in health or allied-health field, such as a nursing, health promotion, public health interventions etc., or equivalent from experience.
• Training (e.g. post-graduate diploma, or short courses, or equivalent from experience) in health service management and/or preparing and delivering training.
• Extensive experience of relevant programme management or coordination in the NHS, local government, or PHE.
• Of working in sexual health or community / public health commissioning or delivery.
• Strong leadership and authority.
• Work as a team member
• Liaison with a wide range of stakeholders such as health service providers, clinicians, patient representatives, academics, elected members.
• Communicate ideas and messages clearly and succinctly, both verbally and in writing.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Please review the Job Description for the full criteria.

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

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 stage 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 participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 7-minute 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.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate.  The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

• Changing and improving
• Making effective decisions
• Leading and communicating
• Collaborating and partnering
• Delivering at pace

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 22nd January 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 22nd January 2024

Interviews: w/c 5th February 2024

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.