Trac proudly powers the recruitment for
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.
Advanced Health Protection Practitioner
Accepting applications until: 31-Jul-2024 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 31-Jul-2024 23:59
Key details
Location
- Gwefan
- Birmingham
- Cyfeiriad
- 23 Stephenson Street
- Tref
- Birmingham
- Cod post
- B2 4BH
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Oriau
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
Salary
- Cyflog
- £58,972 - £68,525 Per annum Pro rata
- Cyfnod cyflog
- Yearly
- Gradd
- (NHS AfC: Band 8b)
Specialty
- Prif leoliad
- Health Protection Operations
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.
Trosolwg o'r swydd
We are seeking an Advanced Health Protection Practitioner (AHPP) who will be an essential member of our multidisciplinary team, responsible for the daily acute service response. They will collaborate with other senior health protection team members to oversee and manage incidents and outbreaks of infectious and non-infectious environmental hazards.
The role demands excellent public health skills, with a focus on leading specific areas of work and fostering partnerships with external organisations. The AHPP will play a key role in developing joint plans and setting system-wide public health priorities.
Additionally, the AHPP will contribute to the strategic initiatives of the locality-based health protection team, deputising as needed, and leading complex projects, including regional and national work streams.
Advert
Your main duties will include:
- Use expertise and knowledge to lead the management of complex incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases and non-infectious environmental hazards, in collaboration with the Incident Director.
- Assume management and supervision of the day-to-day acute response service and complex incidents to ensure high quality safe and effective delivery, if required.
- Manage and carry out continuing responsibility for a caseload ensuring accurate, up to date records of contacts/action by completion of relevant records and compliance with team handover procedures, in line with UKHSA’s standards for record keeping.
- To utilise an evidence-based approach to manage clinical/professional advice and discussions within the team and support and participate in the team’s formal case review process.
- To monitor standards, ensuring quality and consistency and to take action where any shortfall occurs.
- Contribute to and where required lead ongoing longer term management of issues relevant to a defined geographical area within their region.
- Contribute to the UKHSA response during incidents in line with UKHSAs Emergency Planning and Resilience Response (EPRR) arrangements as part of the region’s responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act.
- Contribute to and support the UKHSA region’s input into Emergency Planning arrangements.
- May be required to participate in a local on call rota at local, regional or national level as required.
Gweithio i'n sefydliad
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. Please read all the information on this page carefully - The main duties and responsibilities for the role are displayed below
Swydd ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl
Your key responsibilities will include:
- The successful candidate will lead the management of complex incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases and environmental hazards, working closely with the Incident Director. They will oversee the day-to-day acute response service and ensure high-quality, safe, and effective delivery. This includes maintaining accurate records, using an evidence-based approach for clinical advice, and participating in formal case reviews. The AHPP will also support the UKHSA's emergency planning and resilience response, including responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act.
- In this role, the AHPP will develop and maintain effective systems for the surveillance of communicable diseases and environmental hazards. They will use surveillance data to inform public health actions and policies at local and national levels, addressing health needs and inequalities. The AHPP will foster partnerships with various stakeholders, using their communication and negotiation skills to collaborate on public health strategies and manage complex issues in diverse settings.
- The AHPP will contribute to research activities that enhance the health protection evidence base, develop and deliver teaching resources, and support training programs for public health professionals. They will ensure proper clinical supervision and mentorship within the team, setting and monitoring professional standards. The AHPP will also manage the operational delivery of the region’s health protection functions, lead audits for quality improvement, and develop policies and protocols for health protection issues.
- For personal and professional development, the AHPP will participate in appraisals, pursue continuous professional development, and support team development through coaching and mentoring. They will adapt to evolving needs and additional duties as required, maintaining effective communication with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. This includes collaborating with UKHSA regional teams, local authorities, healthcare professionals, and other organisations to ensure comprehensive public health protection and improvement.
- If you are committed to developing your career in health protection and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
Please refer to the job description for further details and other responsibilities around surveillance, partnership working, research, teaching, training & management and leadership.
Essential criteria - you will be assessed on the below (8 number) essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description Document.
Selection Process:
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 number) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of
-
a CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
-
a (1500 number of words) word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Please do not exceed 1500 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) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities 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.
Interviews will be held week commencing 26th September, 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.
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.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
Your application may be rejected and/or you 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/
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
Person specification
Qualifications
Meini prawf hanfodol
- Registered General Nurse or Allied Health Professional in relevant clinical discipline with current professional registration e.g. NMC and a Master’s in Public health, or higher degree in a related subject, or evidence of CPD in health protection and documented experience at master’s level Post registration experience as a practitioner in a related field
Meini prawf dymunol
- Recognised teaching qualification or equivalent experience, e.g. ENB 998, PGCE or NVQ Level 4 Certificate in Education
- Professional Public Health qualification and registration e.g. Specialist Community Public Health (SCPHN) part of the NMC Register or UK PH Register for practitioners
Knowledge and experience
Meini prawf hanfodol
- Extensive experience in a health protection role at a senior level with specialist knowledge and expertise in Health Protection
- Proven experience of managing others in a managerial or supervisory role including performance management and appraisal and development
Meini prawf dymunol
- Experience of project principles techniques and tools such as Prince 2 and Managing Successful Projects
- Understanding of public health law
Skills and capabilities
Meini prawf hanfodol
- Highly effective verbal, written and presentation communications skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Proven ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships networks in a politically sensitive and/or changing environment
- Evidence of ability to handle challenging issues taking a problem-solving approach to ensure proactive and effective resolution
- Ability to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others including managing and motivating a team and reviewing individual standards
- Experience of leadership within a changing environment
Meini prawf dymunol
- Experience of budget management and financial processes
- Evidence of understanding of the principles of workforce profiles, strategic workforce planning and workforce deployment issues
Documents
- Job Description (PDF, 504.3KB)
- 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
- Enw
- Nneoma Ezeh
- Teitl y swydd
- Resourcing Support Officer
- Cyfeiriad ebost
- [email protected]
- Gwybodaeth i gefnogi eich cais
For enquires about your application please contact the recruitment team [email protected] , for enquiries about the role please contact vacancy holder [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!