Epidemiology and Information Systems Specialist Nottingham, England
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About the job
Job summary
At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.
Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.
Field Services Division
The Field Services Division (FS) was established to provide a national comprehensive service which is geographically dispersed and integrates epidemiological, microbiological, infectious diseases and data sciences capacity and skills delivering surveillance and outbreak investigations consistently of the highest quality.
FS provides an effector arm for UKHSA, supporting the translation of evidence into practice as well as having a role in strengthening surveillance through closer links with the NHS and other partners. It also provides valuable links to academic centres and effective leadership and coordination of the UKHSA applied epidemiology training function.
JOB SUMMARY
Through the application of specialist skills, the post holder 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.
Job description
Specific duties of the role may vary depending on the site and teams/functions.
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
Person specification
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential
- Educated to degree level in public health or 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
- Experience of contributing to and ensuring the successful delivery of project relating to information systems
- 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 multidisciplinary 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 relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Desirable
- Experience in the production of Standard Operating Procedures
- Experience in the operational testing, development and implementation of new 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
- 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
As part of the application process, you will also be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 750 words outlining why you will be suitable for the role.
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.
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview via Teams
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. You might be asked to complete a presentation or a task as part of the interview.
You will be assessed against the civil service core competencies detailed below:
- Changing and improving
- Leading and communicating
- Collaborating and partnering
- Building capability for all
- Delivering at Pace
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs 04/04/2023 – 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: w/c 24/04/2023
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/
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.
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 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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
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
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