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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.
Contact
- Address
- 10 South Colonnade
- London
- E14 4PU
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Consultant in Public Health Infection
Accepting applications until: 28-Jul-2025 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 28-Jul-2025 23:59
Key details
Location
- Site
- UKHSA Bristol
- Address
- 2 Rivergate, Bristol, Avon, BS1 6EH
- Town
- Bristol
- Postcode
- BS1 6EH
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
Salary
- Salary
- £91,342 - £145,478 per annum, pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Grade
- (NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant or NHS Agenda for Change band 8d)
Specialty
- Main area
- Public Health Infection
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
Health Protection in Regions
This role is within the Health Protection in Regions Directorate, which forms part of the Chief Medical Advisor’s Group of UKHSA. Health Protection in Regions deliver expert, trusted, and resilient health protection services, protecting society from harm from infectious diseases and environmental hazards locally, nationally, and across the globe. This becomes reality with collaboration and coordination of data, information, and support from across the Group, Agency, and wider health family.
Field Services Division
The Field Services Division was established to provide a national comprehensive service which is geographically dispersed and integrates epidemiological, microbiological, data science and other public health capacity and skills to consistently deliver high-quality disease surveillance, public health intelligence and outbreak response.
Field Services provides an effector arm for UKHSA, supporting the translation of evidence into practice as well as having a role in strengthening disease surveillance and outbreak response through closer links with the NHS and other partners. It also maintains valuable links to academic centres to support the advancement of the evidence base for health protection and provides effective leadership and coordination of the UKHSA field epidemiology training function.
Advert
Consultant in Public Health Infection
In each UKHSA region, FSD and health protection teams work closely with the consultant in public health infection (CPHI) to deliver a high-quality health protection service. CPHIs in collaboration with FSD, HPTs and regional laboratories play an important role in supporting outbreak and incident responses, providing public health microbiology advice including interpretation of test results and overseeing public health microbiology laboratory regional services.
This role requires maintaining active links and relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, both within UKHSA (e.g., Health Protections Teams, reference and specialist microbiology laboratories) and outside of UKHSA (e.g., NHS Trusts, Local Authorities, infection prevention and control (IPC) networks, and commissioners of healthcare services). Together the regional CPHIs form the national CPHI network. The CPHI network promotes positive collaboration and peer support to encourage enhanced working practices and ensure that public health microbiology has national consistency and resilience.
Please see attached Job Description for further details.
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. Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Act as a key member of UKHSA’s multidisciplinary team (including colleagues in health protection team(s), food, water and environment, FS, national experts, etc) delivering outbreak detection, prevention, and control across the region and, if required, to other regions and nationally.
2. Provide strategic leadership for determining the requirements and priorities for the provision and commissioning of PHM and infection services from the budget allocated to the region. This will be undertaken in conjunction with colleagues in Health Protection Operations Group, Chief Scientific Advisor Group, the NHS, and Local Authority public health teams, to reflect the aims and objectives of the health protection system.
3. Act as the scientific and clinical interface between UKHSA and other providers of laboratory services in the region, including both the NHS and Independent Sector. This involves expertise in diagnostic microbiology, having strong clinical infectious diseases expertise, understanding data and analytical capacity and experience in providing advice/services in this regard.
4. Provide specialist and impartial advice on the prevention and control of a range of public health infections and other public health related topics as required across the Region.
5. To provide support to local health protection teams in delivering the HCAI/AMR agenda. This may include peer review of local Infection Prevention & Control services at the request of partner organisations (e.g., NHS, local authorities) or health protections teams and providing strategic advice as required. This may be in response to concerns about practice, provision, or recent increases in HCAI/AMR cases/situations.
6. Provide specialist and impartial advice for all infections of public health interest in the region, such as gastrointestinal infections, vaccine-preventable diseases, respiratory infections, and others as required.
7. Contribute to the training and supervision of scientific and medical trainees within UKHSA’s FS and wider laboratory network and act as an advocate for public health infection training in the NHS across the region.
8. Contribute to succession planning arrangements to help develop the FS CPHI team to meet future demands.
9. Provide a focus for research and development in public health infection across the region; in particular, develop strong partnership working with local academic centres and across UKHSA, including Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs), where appropriate.
10. Work with colleagues in the FS, UKHSA and NHS laboratory network and in health protection teams to ensure appropriate surveillance systems are in place and support the intelligent interpretation of surveillance data in the investigation of clusters and outbreaks of infection, both in the community and within hospital trusts.
11. Take a lead role with providers of NHS clinical microbiology services across the region to promote standards and outputs from existing and future surveillance schemes and routine laboratory reporting to provide information for improving the control and prevention of infection and the effective delivery of public health. This is further enhanced by providing clinical diagnostic expertise to colleagues in FS and HPTs.
12. Be prepared to take on wider national roles and represent the FS in discussion with government departments, agencies, and professional groups as appropriate to individual expertise and experience and when requested by the Deputy Director of FS.
13. Support the FS clinical governance structure and participate in clinical audit.
Please see attached Job Description for further details.
External
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Stage 1: Application & Sift
This vacancy is using the Civil Service Competency Framework.
At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job description & person specification attached to this job advert.
You will be required to complete an:
• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• up to 1500 word Statement of Suitability
The Application Form and Statement of Suitability will be scored together.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)
Your statement of suitability must be no more than 1500 words.
Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview stage (competency based):
You will be invited to a face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Interviews will be held week commencing 8th September 2025, please note these dates are subject to change.
This vacancy is being assessed using Civil Service Competency framework. During the interview we will assess against the below:
Knowledge
Experience
Skills and Abilities
You will be asked to prepare and present an 8 minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview. Use of slides will be permitted.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our supporting hub at Rivergate, Bristol. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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). Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Link below:
Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers
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. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. 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.
Working for the Civil Service
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 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.
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.
The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. 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.
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/
International Police Check
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and could be time accrued over that period.
Internal Fraud check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.
Security Vetting
Please check the Security Clearance needed for the role and follow the link for more information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- FRCPath and/or MRCP (on the specialist register in an infection-related specialty) or equivalent training and experience AND MBBS or equivalent (Medical Applicants) OR FRCPath and/or PhD or equivalent qualifications and experience commensurate with an Agenda for Change Band 8D Clinical Scientist of equivalent standing
- Full and specialist registration (and a license to practice) with the GMC (or eligible for registration within 6 months of interview). OR HCPC registration as Clinical Scientist in Clinical Microbiology
- Medical applicants that are UK trained, must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of aware of CCT by date of interview.
- Medical applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
Desirable criteria
- MRCP or evidence of equivalent training and experience (if a microbiologist/virologist)
- Appropriate management qualification
- Postgraduate qualification in Public Health
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Evidence of continuing medical/clinical education (existing consultants must be able to demonstrate active participation in a recognized CPD scheme, e.g. RCPath)
- Recent experience of working in an acute hospital environment and delivery of specialist and diagnostic microbiology/infection and/or virology service
- Experience of Infection Prevention & Control
- Experience in the management of microbiology and/or virology services
- Demonstrable success in leadership of teams
- Experience of policy development, planning and management
- Understanding of roles and inter-relationships between Government Agencies and UKHSA
- Understanding of Workforce Development, including changes and developments within occupational categories and related training and development issues
- Experience in teaching undergraduates, junior staff, postgraduates, nurses and other staff
Desirable criteria
- Experience of Public Health Microbiology/Virology
- Experience of working at a regional and/or national level on guidelines, policies and other matters that influence microbiology/virology practice
- Understanding of European and International contexts
- Research experience and a good record of publications
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential criteria
- Excellent communication skills and partnership working skills with health and local authority professionals
- Well-developed networking, strategic influencing and decision-making skills
- Ability to build rapport, working in a multi-disciplinary team and maintain good relations with professional contacts both within and outside UKHSA
- Ability to negotiate and persuade
- Active interest in research and developments in medical microbiology/virology and infection prevention and control
- Ability to take responsibility, show leadership, prioritise and make decisions
- Sense of responsibility
- Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines and to be punctual
- Have a high motivation to succeed and to progress
Desirable criteria
- Evidence a track record of partnership working
Equality and diversity
Essential criteria
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Documents
- Job Description & Person Specification (PDF, 544.3KB)
- 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
- Name
- Nick Young
- Job title
- Consultant Epidemiologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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