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Job description

The Field Epidemiologist, as a key member of the multi-disciplinary rapid support team, will be responsible for contributing to the surveillance, epidemiology and outbreak control functions of the UK-PHRST and for supporting investigations and providing expert epidemiological advice during outbreak responses and emergencies, where required.

The post-holder will be available to be deployed within 48 hours as part of the response function of the UK-PHRST, for periods of up to six weeks. The post-holder will be employed by UKHSA with an honorary contract with LSHTM. The successful applicant will be expected to work closely with both institutions.

When not required for outbreaks, the post-holder will, among other things, contribute to research and capacity development activities in collaboration with well-established networks in the UK and overseas. The post-holder should anticipate spending up to half their time overseas. S/he will also spend some time in the UK training and teaching.

FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGIST

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Response

• In the country of deployment, in close collaboration with local partners:
• Lead and/or contribute to the technical and analytical aspects of epidemiological outbreak response, including (i) setting up or contribute to enhanced surveillance, (ii) analyse data, (iii) develop and/or implement data collection tools, (iv) produce reports, and any other epidemiological support duties, where required, such as contact tracing, monitoring and evaluation, or others
• Support quality assurance and training activities to strengthen critical capacities
• Support management of outbreak priorities and activities in line with outbreak response.
• Support response to reduce the impact of the outbreak, including scoping the need for further support and research.

Partnership Working

• Develop and nurture key relationships with a wide range of individuals and stakeholders as required for role.
• Contribute to building regional and in-country capacity and capability through training and coaching, in line with International Health Regulations and Global Health Security Agenda requirements.

Launched in 2016, the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) is an innovative government-academia partnership funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and co-led by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), with a consortium of academic and implementing partners in the UK and internationally. It comprises a multidisciplinary team of public health professionals and researchers with a novel integrated triple-remit of outbreak response, research, and capacity strengthening to prevent and control epidemics of infectious diseases in countries eligible for UK Official Development Assistance (ODA). Both institutes contribute to and are responsible for delivery of the UK-PHRST triple mandate across outbreak response, research and capacity strengthening, with LSHTM leading the research programme and UKHSA who lead the outbreak response.

Main duties of the job – continued:
Teaching and Training

• Contribute to teaching/training programmes and activities on surveillance and epidemiology.
• Contribute to the development and management of a capacity building programme overseas
• Teach colleagues and stakeholders on surveillance and epidemiology and support ongoing training activities within the UK-PHRST and partners.
• Develop teaching material and courses.

Research

• Conduct and contribute to UK-PHRST research projects.
• Contribute and/or develop grant proposals.
• Analyse datasets with appropriate methodology to answer research questions.
• Write research reports and peer-review manuscripts.
• Present at scientific conferences, meetings and other fora.
• Maintain active participation with the LSHTM and other academic partners and networks.

Management

• Actively engage in meetings with internal and external colleagues.
• Identify and seek to resolve potential problems.
• Be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these.
• Comply with UKHSA Information Governance standards, including understanding the ethical, legal and technical obligations for protection of personal patient information

Other Duties

• The above is an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The post-holder will carry out additional duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate, with appropriate training as required.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization and programme.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.
• Undergo pre-deployment training and other appropriate training courses as required by members of the deployable UK-PHRST.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
• Participate in the organisation’s staff appraisal scheme and departmental audit.
• Agree individual supervision or mentorship arrangements with line manager.