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Job summary
Job title – Research Assistant
Profession- Clinical & Public Health
Directorate – HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU & Sepsis Division, Clinical and
Emerging Infections Directorate
Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours
No of Roles – 1
Contract Type – Permanent
Location – Twyver House, Gloucester GL1 1DQ
UKHSA offers hybrid working or home working for its employees – this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our UKHSA offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy. Some business travel will be required to other UKHSA offices. Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available
Working Pattern – Full Time /Part Time/ Job Share/Hybrid Working/ Flexible Working
Grade & Salary – Grade EO. National banding - £24,091 - £28,195.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
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/.
Closing Date – 18/06/2023. 23:55pm. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
Interview Date – 30/06/2023 Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Introduction
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.
HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU & Sepsis Division
This post is within the Healthcare Associated Infection, Fungal, Antimicrobial Resistance, Antimicrobial Utilisation & Sepsis Division (Clinical & Public Health group) of UKHSA. The mission of the division is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and interventions.
Primary Care and Interventions Unit
The Primary Care and Interventions Unit (PCIU) are responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating interventions for primary health care workers and the broader community to promote behaviour change on infection prevention and control, using antimicrobials appropriately and antimicrobial stewardship. Our work contributes to the Government’s Ambitions to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance, including the UK AMR 20 year vision and the 5-year National Action Plan (NAP) 2019-2024. The unit works closely with general practices, care homes, pharmacies, schools, community groups, the public, professional societies, commissioning organisations, and universities to produces resources for health providers, the general public and schools and conducts research to inform and evaluate its interventions. Example of this can be seen on the TARGET antibiotic toolkit and e-Bug websites.
Overview Of Job
This post is positioned in the Primary Care and Interventions Unit (PCIU) of UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The PCIU aims to prevent and improve the management of common infections through research, guidance, intervention development and education of health care professionals, the general public and young people. The unit works closely with health care professionals, educational establishments and community groups, commissioning organisations, and the public to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance, respiratory and hand hygiene, and other common infections. The PCIU runs two distinct programmes of work, the international e-Bug (www.e-bug.eu) schools and community programme and the TARGET antibiotics programme.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the PCIU to support research, and educational projects within the TARGET and e-Bug workstreams. The post holder will be geographically based in Gloucester, although will be able to work from home part of the week. The successful applicant will enjoy a varied role, that will focus on the development and implementation of resources and training packages to improve antimicrobial stewardship in primary care settings.
Job description
Key Responsibilities
- To conduct and assist with the research undertaken in the Primary Care and Interventions Unit, covering infection prevention, antimicrobial use and intervention development and evaluation.
To develop protocols for research and development activities and communicate with research team as necessary to plan timelines for delivery e.g by updating a project timeline or GANTT chart for the lifetime of the project.
To implement and utilise a range of quantitative research methods/statistical analyses/techniques in support of all activities associated with research projects aiming to ensure project targets are met.
To implement and utilise a range of qualitative research methods and analysis techniques to undertake and analyse interviews and focus groups.
To apply behavioural science to the development of data collection tools, analysis and implications of research findings, including the development of interventions.
To correspond with ethics committees and submit ethics applications and local approvals.
To undertake needs assessments to inform the development of diagnostic or educational tools.
To assist or conduct data collection such as surveys, interviews and focus groups (face to face and telephone) in line with Caldicott guidelines and GDPR.
To conduct literature reviews of electronic databases and grey literature.
To create, manage and manipulate databases (Access/Excel/Endnote/Epidata) including data input; cleaning, coding validation and verification of data sets; and supplying appropriate raw data sets to statisticians.
To provide reports through descriptive analysis of data using software and databases as necessary, to meet project targets.
To disseminate research through exhibiting/presenting at conferences, events and workshops; preparing and publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals.
To assist with the updating, reviewing and administration of resources/tools and websites.
To organize meetings, participate, take minutes and follow up as delegated.
To undertake work in accordance with UKHSA’s Health and Safety policies and procedures and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality 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.
Person specification
Essential criteria
- Degree standard or equivalent experience.
- Be required to undertake higher level/advanced training in research methodologies and/or project management
- Professional/research experience in the field of public health, education, nursing, microbiology, pharmaceuticals, clinical research or related area.
- Research and IT skills, specifically in relation to qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies,including conducting focus groups, interview techniques, developing questionnaires and data analysis.
- Self-motivated with meticulous time management skills with the ability to re-prioritise
- Demonstrated ability to work in teams and independently.
- Presentation skills.
- Skills for managing aspects of projects ensuring they meet financial targets.
- Skills for manipulating information.
- Advanced keyboard skills, use of a range of software.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable Criteria
- Master’s degree in public health, nursing, microbiology, research or equivalent experience.
- Previous experience in, or knowledge of, health interventions underpinned by behavioural science.
- Previous experience in project delivery.
- Good understanding of skills and experience in safe working practices.
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%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed and sifted in line with the essential criteria.
This vacancy is using Civil Service Competencies Framework, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience
Stage 1: Application & Sift
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1000 words providing examples of how you meet the essential criteria. It should also detail what you and your experience can bring to the role. We suggest using the STAR (situation, task, action, result) method to demonstrate real-life examples for the specified essential criteria. Please note, only information provided within the stated word count will be considered.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview
Stage 2: Panel Interview
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on behaviours / experience / ability through the Civil Service Competencies Framework.
The competencies tested are:
Seeing the Bigger Picture
Changing & Improving
Leading & Communicating
Collaborating & Partnering
Delivering at Pace
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
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.
DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS however there may be a requirement for this role to be SC cleared and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. 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.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Government baseline personnel security standard
It’s important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role
Contact Details – [email protected]
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
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team