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UK Health Security Agency
About
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will be responsible for planning, preventing and responding to external health threats, and providing intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage. UKHSA will ensure the nation can respond quickly and at greater scale to deal with pandemics and future threats.
Senior Scientist
Closed for applications on: 1-May-2024 00:00
Vacancy status: Closed
Closed for applications on: 1-May-2024 00:00
Key details
Location
- Site
- London
- Town
- Colindale, London
- Postcode
- NW9 5EQ
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £42,716 - £48,068 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO))
Specialty
- Main area
- Scientist
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:
- Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
- Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
- Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
- Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
- Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.
Job overview
We are recruiting a Senior Scientist to join the hepatitis section in the Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV (BSHSH) Division. The post holder will be part of a dynamic team responsible for delivering the development, management, and coordination of surveillance systems for communicable diseases, focusing on hepatitis.
In general, the post holder will be expected to lead on research and analysis regarding stigma experienced by people living with hepatitis, as well as aid with hepatitis elimination monitoring and evaluation. 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. The post will require project management and 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.
Advert
- Surveillance
- Outbreak Investigation
- Research
- Publications and presentations
- Teaching and Training
- Other
For more information on these headings please see below.
Working for our 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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Surveillance
- Develop, manage and maintain the surveillance databases.
- Manage existing national surveillance systems and co-ordinate the development of new surveillance systems for hepatitis, HIV and/or STIs and to supervise and advise junior scientific and administrative staff in the maintenance and development of integrated or enhanced surveillance datasets.
- Conduct complex statistical analyses of data drawn from a variety of surveillance sources in response to ad hoc enquiries from Government agencies, international agencies (ECDC, WHO), public health practitioners, academics and members of the public.
- Advise scientific and administrative staff conducting routine analyses of surveillance datasets for standardised outputs and ad hoc enquiries.
- Supervise junior scientific colleagues and the administrative team in the production of surveillance reports and publications.
- Help coordinate the activities of scientists in partner institutes involved in collaborative surveillance programmes.
- Provide technical advice and assistance to public health practitioners on the design, maintenance, analysis and interpretation of surveillance databases.
- Assist in the design and development of new surveillance and data management systems in response to developments in the application of microbiological typing methods including contributing to the drafting of Standard Operating Procedures.
- Write or contribute to the drafting of scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and detailed reports for UKHSA or Government departments.
Outbreak Investigation
- Manage the technical and analytical aspects of outbreak investigations, under the supervision of the Senior/Consultant lead, by:
- designing outbreak databases;
- liaising with relevant specialists to collect epidemiological data;
- coordinating and advising incident teams;
- interviewing clinicians and patients to collect clinical and risk factor data during incidents
- overseeing data entry and ensuring quality control of databases;
- collating and interpreting epidemiological and microbiological data drawn from a variety of sources;
- conducting complex statistical analyses of datasets;
- providing statistical analyses for government agencies, health protection units and others;
- writing briefing notes and situation reports;
- presenting epidemiological data to Incident Management Teams;
- contributing to the production of outbreak reports and subsequent publications.
Research
- Contribute to the development of research proposals
- Coordinate the collection and collation of data from collaborators based in specialist laboratories and other institutions throughout the UK.
- Conduct statistical analyses of epidemiological and microbiological data for grant funded research projects and UKHSA programmes.
- Provide complex statistical analyses of surveillance/research datasets to academic units and other agencies involved in collaborative epidemiological and microbiological research studies under the guidance of the project leader.
- Contribute to the process of writing scientific papers for publication in peer reviewed journals and project reports to funding bodies.
Publications and presentations
- Supervise scientific and administrative staff in the production of departmental outputs and editorial material for the Health Protection Report.
- Produce surveillance newsletters and/or reports.
- Present epidemiological findings at national and international meetings and conferences.
- Regularly update the BSHSH web-pages with data and associated information.
Teaching and Training
- Develop and present lectures and teaching materials on the epidemiology and surveillance of hepatitis, HIV and/or STIs for UKHSA, university postgraduate and professional development training programmes.
- Contribute to the training for new members of staff on the epidemiology and surveillance of hepatitis, HIV and STIs.
Other
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. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Essential criteria
- First degree in a science subject and a higher degree in Epidemiology, Public Health or an allied subject, or equivalent
- 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
Selection process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1000 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.
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.
Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a (single) remote interview. Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills 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.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making effective decisions
- Changing and Improving
Interviews will be held week commencing the 13th May. Please note, this date is 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.
External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.
Working for the Civil Service:
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 Code 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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
It’s important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role.
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 .
Location information
You will be based at Colindale, London NW9 5EQ with Hybrid working
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.
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
For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)
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.
The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.
Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. 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 (attached as a supporting document).
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: [email protected] 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 here.
Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.
Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.
UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.
If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Benefits of working at UKHSA include:
- Generous annual leave:
-26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
-28 days after 5 years of continuous service
-32 days after 10 years of continuous service
-Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday - Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
- Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
- We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
- We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.
Hybrid Working
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 usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.
Disability Confident Scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview. If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.
To help you during the recruitment process, we will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you.
An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.
This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:
Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
Person specification
CV
Essential criteria
- CV
Statement of Suitability
Essential criteria
- Statement of suitability
Behaviours
Essential criteria
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making effective decisions
- Changing and Improving
Documents
- Job description (PDF, 504.3KB)
- Functional requirement form (PDF, 344.6KB)
- Civil Service Recruitment Principles (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Civil Service Nationality Rules (PDF, 345.1KB)
- Application Form Guidance Notes (PDF, 77.3KB)
- Information Sheet - Starting salaries and benefits (PDF, 129.4KB)
- Information Sheet - Selection Process (PDF, 110.1KB)
- Working at UKHSA and your benefits (PDF, 219.2KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Vivian Dieli
- Job title
- Resourcing
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
For enquires about your application please contact the recruitment team [email protected] , for enquiries about the role please contact vacancy holder email address [email protected]
No longer accepting applications
Sorry, this vacancy is no longer accepting applications.
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