Job summary
THIS POST IS FIXED TERM/SECONDMENT FOR 13 MONTHS DUE TO SECONDMENT COVER.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE SECONDMENT POSITION, YOU MUST OBTAIN PERMISSION FROM YOUR CURRENT LINE MANAGER PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR THIS POST.
Health Protection Division provides information and advice and takes action to protect people in Wales from communicable disease and environmental hazards. The Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) provides specialist surveillance, epidemiology, clinical advice, system leadership and support across the breadth of vaccination programmes and vaccine preventable disease in Wales.
Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) is the epidemiology and surveillance branch of Health Protection Division.
This is a senior role in the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme that will develop and manage aspects of surveillance and epidemiological analysis on vaccine preventable diseases, vaccination programmes and acute respiratory infections.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will develop methods and processes to maintain existing surveillance systems. The post holder will also help set up new surveillance systems, such as those using new sources of data. The post holder will work with senior epidemiologists to implement emerging methods in data science such as data linkage and machine learning. The post holder will also work closely with microbiologists to develop new surveillance methods, and will also have a role in supporting field epidemiology activities
The post-holder will use highly developed skills in data science, health informatics and project management to define, interpret and provide solutions to complex public health problems. This will involve framing problems in epidemiological terms, analysing complex data sets, ensuring outputs from projects are delivered to time and reporting findings to stakeholders, including the public, health professionals within Public Health Wales, the NHS, Health Boards and Welsh Government.
The post holder will have a role in developing and delivering training on a variety of topics. To do this the post-holder will be required to liaise with individuals from varied backgrounds in a range of organisations.
The post holder may be required to line manage and/or co-ordinate work of junior team members. They will be required to train staff, supervise or mentor junior staff and demonstrate specific tasks or work as required to others.
About us
We are Public Health Wales - the national public health organisation for Wales. Our purpose is 'working together for a healthier Wales'. We exist to help all people in Wales live longer, healthier lives. With our partners, we aim to increase healthy life expectancy, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequalities for everyone in Wales, now and for future generations.
Together, our teams work to prevent disease, protect health, and provide leadership, specialist services and public health expertise. We are the main source of public health information, research and innovation in Wales. Never more has public health been so important as we come through the Coronavirus pandemic, face the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and tackle and prevent the harmful effects of climate change.
Our organisation is guided by our Values, 'Working together, with trust and respect, to make a difference'. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of the communities we serve and from those wishing to work part time or on a job share basis.
To find out more about working for us and the benefits we offer please visit
For guidance on the application process, please visit
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Degree in a scientific, computing or health related subject
2. Masters qualification or equivalent experience acquired in public health areas such as: epidemiological methods, public health, microbiology, statistics, data science
Desirable
3. A qualification or demonstrable training/experience in public health, health protection or epidemiology
Experience
Essential
4. Substantial post-graduate experience of relevant scientific work
5. Experience of working with large and complex databases
6. Understanding of current scientific and/or epidemiological advances
7. Experience of training other staff groups
8. Substantial experience of working with SAIL
Desirable
9. Experience of surveillance and epidemiology
10. Demonstrable experience of working within a public health setting
Skills
Essential
11. Advanced data science and statistical methods
12. Effective oral and written communication skills
13. Ability to document and communicate clearly and succinctly
14. Advanced skills in statistical and database software (Stata, MS Access, R) to manage and analyse complex data
15. Excellent computer literacy, including advanced skills in Microsoft Office applications
16. Ability to project manage, coordinate teams and problem solve
17. Professional judgments on methods and interpretation
Desirable
18. Ability to speak Welsh or willingness to learn
19. Regression and time series analysis
20. Mapping
21. Ability to manage data and analyse microbiological test data
Knowledge
Essential
22. Knowledge of epidemiological principles and their application to communicable disease surveillance and control
23. An understanding of healthcare systems in Wales
24. Awareness of policies and procedures relating to dealing with confidential data
25. Knowledge of recommended UK vaccination programmes and vaccine preventable diseases
Desirable
26. Knowledge of Public Health Wales
27. Knowledge and experience of the architecture and practice of large-scale data management
28. A knowledge of automating routine analysis through Tableau, programming, R markdown, or STATA )
Aptitude and Abilities
Essential
29. Ability to work to deadlines and under pressure
30. Flexible approach and commitment to apply skills in support of clinical/scientific priorities
31. Proven track record as a team player
32. Enthusiastic approach with excellent planning and organisational skills
33. Negotiation and diplomacy skills to work with a wide range of staff
34. Ability to work on own initiative
35. Good time-keeping
36. Respect confidentiality
37. Willingness to learn and develop skills
Desirable
38. Ability to work in challenging or different circumstances
39. Ability to speak Wels
Other (Please Specify)
Essential
40. Ability to foster and maintain good working relationships with administrative staff, scientific staff and health professionals at all levels
41. Commitment to CPD within Public Health competency frameworks
42. Prepared to travel
Desirable
43. Evidence of continuing professional Development