Senior Epidemiologist G6 London, England
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About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
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Location
About the job
Job summary
**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**
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.
The Senior Epidemiologist will ensure the delivery of the UK-PHRST’s implementation plan for outbreak response in the areas epidemiology and surveillance and help shape and deliver the UK-PHRST’s strategic agenda. The Senior Epidemiologist will line manage UKHSA-employed epidemiologists, members of the UK-PHRST epidemiology team, and coordinate with the UK-PHRST Senior Epidemiologist at LSHTM to lead, support and manage the UK-PHRST epidemiology team to meet UK-PHRST strategic objectives.
The postholder will be a key member of the core deployable multi-disciplinary team, responsible for providing expert epidemiological and surveillance advice and to support outbreak responses directly or through other agencies, such as WHO, to the Ministries of Health in Low-and-Middle Income Countries (LMIC). The postholder must also be competent to contribute to the development and implementation of research and capacity development projects as part of the UK-PHRST programme, and support teaching and supervision of FETP Fellows, students and trainees.
This role is being offered on a full-time basis. This is a Fixed Term Contract with an end date on 31/03/2025.
Location
The main location is Nobel House, Westminster, London, SW1P 3JR. However, this location is due to relocate to Canary Wharf in the summer. The post holder is expected to spend up to 40% of their time overseas, predominantly in low- and middle- income countries.
*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 job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- In coordination with the Senior Epidemiologist at LSHTM, develop and implement the plans for the UK-PHRST epidemiology Team across outbreak operations, research and capacity development and contribute to UK-PHRST business and strategic planning.
- Line manage a small team of field epidemiologists and provide specialist technical support when staff are deployed (core team and reservists)
- Manage the delivery of high-quality epidemiological support that meets project needs within available budgets, including line management of UK-PHRST-employed team members.
- Provide expert technical support and leadership for response activities in the country of deployment covering risk assessment, surveillance, case detection, contact tracing and monitoring, and data collection, management, and analysis.
- Proactively collaborate with peers in the research and capacity development community to identify novel areas for research.
- Facilitate, develop, and implement projects that are aligned to the UK-PHRST research strategy.
- Develop and nurture key relationships with a wide range of individuals and stakeholders and take responsibility for the maintenance of professional networks relevant to role.
- Ensure ODA compliance in UKHSA UK-PHRST epidemiology activities, including sound financial management of the epidemiological component including financial forecasts, accounts and where appropriate, undertake data analysis for financial and managerial purposes.
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 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential
- Higher degree (MSc/MPH or equivalent) in Epidemiology with a health focus.
- PhD in Epidemiology or clearly demonstrable equivalent experiences
- Experience in applying epidemiological and surveillance expertise to epidemic/pandemic response e.g. deployment during outbreaks, epidemiological research of biomedical interventions for epidemic response, epidemiology-focussed research to inform epidemic response, in resource limited settings
- Experience of performing risk assessments and evaluating epidemiological and surveillance capacity in resource limited settings and implementing processes to initiate change.
- Experience of developing and delivering training programmes using a range of methods/formats to variety of audiences
- Significant experience in line management, leading and motivating teams during day-to-day operations (including providing professional supervision) and during international deployments to respond to outbreaks of infectious disease.
- Highly effective verbal, written and presentation communications skills; capable of constructing and delivering complex, specialist, individually tailored information clearly and concisely for diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships and networks in politically sensitive and/or changing environments and ability to handle challenging situations pro-actively using problem solving.
- Ability to interpret and analyse incomplete, complex and/or sensitive information in a concise yet insightful way, pre-empting and evaluating issues and recommending appropriate course(s) of action to large and influential groups.
- Evidence of independent thought and scientific research including written reports and publishing scientific papers and policies
- Ability to develop business cases and strategic documents, planning activities over short medium and long terms and balance competing priorities to deliver objectives.
- Demonstrable commitment to travel and ability to work in austere environments and/or harsh conditions, often in remote areas.
Desirable
- Ability to communicate (speak/read) at a working level in language(s) other than English.
Benefits
Working for the UKHSA
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
- 26 days annual leave allowance increasing to 32 days after a 10-year service.
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 advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
Your Statement of Suitability (max 1250 words) 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 by video.
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.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 23rd May 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 12th June 2023
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
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 Enhanced Personnel Security Standard.
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
Contact point for applicants
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