Trac proudly powers the recruitment for
UK Health Security Agency
![UK Health Security Agency logo](https://static.trac.jobs/employer-logos/2383.png)
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.
System maintenance
The trac.jobs system will be undergoing essential maintenance at . We expect the work to be completed by 22:00 on Tuesday 2nd July 2024.
During this time period it will not be possible to browse jobs, sign into your account or submit job applications.
Senior Evidence Reviewer in Climate and Health
Accepting applications until: 02-Jul-2024 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 02-Jul-2024 23:59
Key details
Location
- Site
- All UKHSA Sites
- Address
- 10 South Colonnade Canary Wharf
- Town
- London, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham
- Postcode
- E14 4PU
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £38,724 - £48,068 Per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO))
Specialty
- Main area
- Climate Health Assessment Team, Centre for Climate and Health Security
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 seeking an experienced Senior Evidence Reviewer to join CCHS's growing Climate and Health Assessment Team (CHAT). In this role, you will be part of a team that produces robust scientific evidence to inform climate and health assessments. Your work will directly contribute to guidance and advice for national and local policymakers and public health professionals on how to address the health challenges of a changing climate.
The role involves:
- developing and synthesising scientific evidence to inform climate and health assessments.
- translating complex scientific findings into clear and concise communication for diverse audiences.
- providing evidence to support the development of guidance and advice for national and local partners on adapting to the health effects of climate change.
- supporting those wishing to produce or commission climate and health reviews.
- collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, public health professionals, and evidence experts.
Advert
Your main responsibilities will include:
- As a Senior Evidence Reviewer your role will be to support the use of evidence in informing climate change and public health advice and guidance.
- You will work on rapid evidence reviews using systematic and rapid review methodologies, as well as new innovations in machine learning and automated text analysis and will conduct screening of studies, data extraction, critical appraisal and evidence synthesis.
- You will work alongside a small scientific team, using a range of relevant packages and delivering across a range of different review topics and timeframes.
- You will also work on methodological developments and on translation of evidence, for example providing tailored evidence messages, producing evidence summaries, and / or developing critical appraisal tools
For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
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
Your responsibilities include:
- Work with colleagues to develop answerable review questions and review protocols
- Use appropriate tools, including new innovations in machine learning and automated text analysis to undertake rapid evidence reviews including development of the search strategy, literature screening, quality appraisal, evidence synthesis and write up
- Ensure that full and accurate documentation is kept and be responsible for the accuracy and security of all data related to projects which the post holder manages or is involved in
- Quality assure the work of other team members and colleagues and provide support for confidence assessment
- Contribute to the ongoing development of rapid evidence review work and other professional activity procedures and standards, including training activities and working groups
- Make decisions in relation to the work of the climate and health assessment team and actively contribute to collaborative decision-making in relation to methods and outputs
- Support the commissioning of evidence synthesis and assessment report contributions, through development of specifications and oversight of commissioned work
- Support the development and delivery of capacity building for evidence synthesis, climate and health assessment, and utilisation
- Prepare papers for presentation at local, regional or national meetings, workshops and/or conferences
- Line management and / or supervision of team members at HEO or EO level
Essential criteria
You will be assessed on the below 8 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description
- Masters degree in relevant field (e.g. environmental health, public health, climate impacts and adaptation, evidence synthesis) or equivalent relevant experience
- Knowledge of evidence review methodologies, including systematic and rapid reviews, including the use of machine learning, coding, and data analytics methods
- Experience of conducting systematic or rapid evidence reviews in climate or environmental health
- Experience in critical appraisal, assessment of confidence in evidence, or risk of bias assessment
- Experience of presenting and interpreting public or environmental health evidence in a useable way
- Good oral and written communication and presentation skills as well as Comprehensive skills in the use of spreadsheets or databases and reference management software.
- Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decision in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and maintain relationships with colleagues as well as the ability to work to instruction and independently, and to use initiative
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a policy or practice environment
Selection process details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 8 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of
- a CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
The CV/ Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Masters degree in relevant field (e.g. environmental health, public health, climate impacts and adaptation, evidence synthesis) or equivalent relevant experience
- Knowledge of evidence review methodologies, including systematic and rapid reviews, including the use of machine learning, coding, and data analytics methods.
- Experience of conducting systematic or rapid evidence reviews in climate or environmental health
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
Interviews may be held week commencing 22nd July 2024. Please note, these dates are 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.
Location information
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 any of UKHSA's locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London, Chilton, Colindale, Porton Down) .
Eligibility Criteria
This vacancy is 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 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.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
I understand my application may be rejected or I may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
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
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Masters degree in relevant field (e.g. environmental health, public health, climate impacts and adaptation, evidence synthesis) or equivalent relevant experience
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of evidence review methodologies, including systematic and rapid reviews, including the use of machine learning, coding, and data analytics methods
- Experience of conducting systematic or rapid evidence reviews in climate or environmental health
- Experience in critical appraisal, assessment of confidence in evidence, or risk of bias assessment
- Experience of presenting and interpreting public or environmental health evidence in a useable way
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working in a policy or practice environment
Skills, Capabilities and Behaviours
Essential criteria
- Good oral and written communication and presentation skills as well as Comprehensive skills in the use of spreadsheets or databases and reference management software.
- Demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decision in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescale
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team and maintain relationships with colleagues as well as the ability to work to instruction and independently, and to use initiative
Documents
- Job Description (PDF, 552.3KB)
- Functional Requirement Form (PDF, 344.6KB)
- Civil Service Recruitment Principles (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Civil Service Nationality Rules (PDF, 195.3KB)
- 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
- Nneoma Ezeh
- Job title
- Resourcing Support Officer
- Email address
- [email protected]
Start your application
You must sign in to a Trac account before you can apply for this job.
Sign in
Create an account
Create your account and apply for your new job!