AddressDetails
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
Field Service (FS) South East and London is part of Health Protection Operations in UKHSA. The Field Service is a national service comprising geographically dispersed multi-disciplinary teams integrating expertise in Field Epidemiology, Real-time Syndromic Surveillance, Public Health Microbiology and Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology to strengthen the surveillance, intelligence and response functions of UKHSA.
The Field Service, Epidemiology and Information Systems Specialist works closely with UKHSA and NHS colleagues to support data capture and data management across a number of topic areas. The central facet of this post is to support the London & South EAST of England’s hospital laboratories in the secure reporting of infectious disease test data to UKHSA’s Second Generation Surveillance System (SGSS).
The post also supports response to incidents and outbreaks of infectious diseases and works on the analysis, visualisation, and communication of data to Health Protection Teams and other partners.
Key systems for this include the SGSS web application, SQL Server, and Power BI and R coding.
Liaison with hospital laboratories, as well as with other internal and external stakeholders, is an important feature of this role.
Location
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at Canary Wharf, London. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Job description
The Epidemiology and Information Systems Specialist Through the application of specialist skills, will undertake complex tasks with regards to database development and management, using modern tools and methodologies.
The role will involve supporting outbreaks and epidemiological investigations through the creation and administration of outbreak databases and through providing advice and expertise on data sources and capture.
The post holder will contribute to UKHSA’s surveillance work by supporting the implementation of new, and the improvement of existing, surveillance systems.
The post holder will support users through providing ongoing support and training and will also be required to contribute to a robust quality assurance programme.
The interface with local, regional, and national colleagues, as well as with external stakeholders, will be an important feature of this role.
Your main responsibilities will include:
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
Outbreak support and epidemiological investigation
- Advise on data availability and capture during outbreaks and create and administer outbreak databases
Surveillance
- Support the development and operational testing of, and implement, new surveillance systems and provide ongoing support and training as required
- Maintain and improve existing surveillance databases, validating the quality of surveillance data including the development and use of automated routines and through audit
- Produce and update Standard Operating Procedures
Research
- Develop and maintain study databases including advising on data linkage, storage, and design
Software skills
- Develop solutions and apply specialist skills using common database/mapping/web tools such as ArcGIS, SQL, SharePoint etc.
- Undertake more complex analytical tasks using common software packages to support data extractions, analysis, and validation, including programming and using web-based technologies
Communication
- Present internally or to local partners on lead area / specialty
Teaching
- Teach colleagues on surveillance systems and database management
Quality and Governance
- Ensure that data transfer, extraction and storage of data are appropriate and secure
- Identify data quality issues and implement data validation and correction solutions based on guidance from senior staff and policy
- Ensure business continuity and disaster recovery procedures are in place for databases and systems
Workforce/HR
- Be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these, leading and motivating team members and effectively appraising and managing performance for staff line managed
Project management
- Contribute to and ensure the delivery of project outcomes such as the implementation of new systems and processes
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 1000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):
Essential
- Educated to degree level in information science / systems or equivalent experience
- Higher qualification in in information science / systems or equivalent experience
- Knowledge and experience of data sources
- Knowledge and experience of data capture mechanisms and data linkage
- Understanding of and experience in data validation and quality assurance through audit
- Experience in creating, supporting, and maintaining systems and databases
- Proficient in a common database/mapping/web tools such as SQL, GIS, SharePoint etc. including experience of developing solutions
- Understand Information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Able to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders and work in a multi-disciplinary team
- Good organisational, prioritisation and time management skills and able to work under own initiative
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relati
Desirable
- Experience in the production of Standard Operating Procedures
- Experience in the operational testing, development, and implementation of new systems
- Experience of contributing to and ensuring the successful delivery of project relating to Information Systems
- Experience of appraising staff and managing performance
- Skills to undertake more complex analytical tasks using common software packages to support data extractions, analysis and validation, including programming
Benefits
Working for the UKHSA
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.
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Range of health and wellbeing support
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 Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK
Things you need to know
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview at UKHSA, Canary Wharf site.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5-minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess your Behaviours/Strengths/Ability/ Experience/Technical skills, the below behaviours will be tested:
- Leadership
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Changing and Improving
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Developing Self and Others
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 29th March 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Interviews: TBD 2024
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Nationality requirements
Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
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 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 welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
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.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Complaint process:
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: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. 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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
