Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location UKHSA Colindale, London. NW9 5EQ About the job Job summary The post holder will play a crucial role in epidemiological surveillance of enteroviruses, including polio. They will contribute to the development and planning of surveillance systems and new analyses, and lead on developing a workplan in preparation for Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) and Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM) becoming notifiable diseases. This involves ensuring that all necessary workflows and systems are in place before these conditions are officially designated as notifiable. Working for Your Organisation 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. Job description The post holder will contribute to the development of enhanced surveillance systems for vaccine preventable diseases, design and develop new surveillance and data management systems, and elucidate vaccine preventable disease epidemiology. They will evaluate the public health impact, develop and evaluate control strategies, and contribute to research studies. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Develop and maintain surveillance systems for vaccine preventable diseases, focusing on Enteroviruses including Polio Manage and analyse surveillance data received into the department from a variety of sources which will require the co-ordination of regular follow-up of relevant reports for further epidemiological information and confirmation samples where necessary. Work closely with members of the team to assist in responding to ad hoc queries which require scientific input Liaise with clinicians to obtain enhanced surveillance data and liaise with NHS, the UK Teratology Information Service and reference laboratories on laboratory data Prepare routine surveillance reports for the Health Protection Report. Assist in the investigation and control of outbreaks Undertake evaluation of surveillance systems including conducting complex statistical analyses of these data. Contribute and project manage specific research studies of vaccine preventable diseases Analyse surveillance data and results of studies and write reports and papers for scientific journals. Contribute to writing of policy documents for the prevention and control of vaccine preventable diseases. Assist in the preparation of papers and reports to inform policy for the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. Design presentations and present surveillance data and study results at in-house, national and international meetings/conferences and attend national and international conferences. Develop teaching material and teach on in-house courses and external courses Represent Immunisation Department in weekly infections update meeting and develop/ maintain appropriate pages on UKHSA website To support public health incident responses that the Immunisation and Vaccine-Preventable Disease division support or lead on, all members of the division who are EO grade and above are required to undertake the appropriate training for task manager role, to be able to undertake the role of task manager as and when required. The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation. Person specification Essential Criteria First degree in a science subject. Higher degree in Epidemiology or allied discipline or relevant postgraduate experience Postgraduate work/study in public health, microbiology, epidemiology or an allied subject Developing / using relational databases (including Access and SQL), statistical and graphics packages (including R) to an advanced level Interpreting and evaluating microbiological or epidemiological data on vaccine preventable diseases and numerate with deep analytical skills, and writing/evaluating scientific work Ability to work independently and take responsibility for own technical work and time Ability to work as an effective team member Ability to analyse, summarise and interpret complex epidemiological data Experience of creating and giving presentations to a varied group of internal and external stakeholders Desirable criteria An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required Vaccine schedule and polices in the UK Benefits Alongside your salary of £44,852, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,993 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 employer contribution of 28.97% Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria. Stage 1: Application & Sift You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 8 essential criteria listed in the Person Specification: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 750 word Statement of Suitability. This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview. Longlisting : In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria (to be taken through to shortlisting) Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Postgraduate work/study in public health, microbiology, epidemiology or an allied subject Developing / using relational databases (including Access and SQL), statistical and graphics packages (including R) to an advanced level We will only assess on desirable criteria in the event of a strong field of candidates, and as a second stage after essential criteria have been considered If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview (competency based) You will be invited to a single remote interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview. There will be a technical test and a presentation. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Location This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our offices/lab in Colindale, London. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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). If based at one of our labs you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. E ligibility Criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). 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 Counter-terrorist Check. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Reasonable Adjustments The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should: Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/ International Police Check If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. 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 Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. 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). 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. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Jon Payne Email : recruitmentukhsa.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : recruitmentukhsa.gov.uk Further information 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: Complaintsukhsa.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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/ Attachments UKHSAJob_description_305567_v2 Opens in new window (docx, 120kB) Apply at advertiser's site Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail