Job summary
The main duties of the post play a central to PHEs response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will work within the incident response as part of the Epidemiology Cell (Epi Cell). This role is one of a team of Scientists working within the Epi Cell and will have responsibility for providing specialist epidemiology expertise within the Cell and therefore significant previous experience in Epidemiology is required.
We are currently based at Wellington House but could be re-located to Colindale in the future. The role involves working in a shift pattern, seven days a week and includes working on-site in a COVID secure office environment.
We have 5 Full-time posts available
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the post are related to PHEs response to the COVID-19 incident and will work within the incident response as part of the Epidemiology Cell (Epi Cell). This role is one of a team of Scientists working within the Epi Cell and will have responsibility for providing specialist epidemiology expertise within the Cell. The post will have shared responsibility for management of scientific and administrative staff within the cell, overseeing the maintenance, development, statistical analysis, quality outputs and reporting from surveillance datasets. The post holder may also have the opportunity to participate in COVID-19 related research projects. Work within the Epi Cell is fast paced and the postholder will need to be able to respond to sudden unexpected demands, demonstrate good interpersonal skills and to work as a team member.
About us
Public Health England (PHE) is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care providing; strategic leadership, research, advice and support for Government, local authorities and the NHS in protecting and improving the nations health. We offer a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance, including generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working hours, possibility of working from home and membership of the excellent civil service pension scheme. We are absolutely committed to the development of our staff and offer wide-ranging opportunities for training and professional development.
We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice.
To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit PHE Website
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To manage scientific and administrative staff within the Epi Cell in the maintenance, development, statistical analysis, quality outputs and reporting from surveillance datasets.2. Undertake the further development, validation and evaluation of surveillance systems for use in the data collation and analyses of COVID-19 infections. Identify and incorporate additional data sources to augment COVID-19 infection data.3. Prepare expert rapid responses to Parliamentary Questions and requests from the media on COVID-19 infection, and general support for other aspects of the response for the PHECommunications Department.4. To interpret surveillance data and provide expert advice in response to ad hoc enquiries from Government agencies, public health practitioners, academics, commercial organisations and members of the public.5. To provide expert technical advice and assistance to public health practitioners on the design, maintenance, analysis and interpretation of relevant surveillance databases.6. Responsible for developing quality control processes and Standard Operating Procedures for the relevant outputs7. Manage the collaborations with relevant stakeholders, particularly with the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement, Care Quality Commission, etc.8. Keep up-to-date on key methodological and analytical developments of potential relevance to this programme of work.9. Identify key public health questions of importance answerable through this work. Lead on addressing these questions through the analysis of existing data.10. Produce and assist in production of surveillance outputs via peer review publication, national and international conferences, PHE website and in the Health Protection Reports.11. Undertake teaching and training at various levels and provide scientific support to trainees in public health.12. Contribute to relevant international, national and PHE working parties and advisory committees.13. Design materials for, and undertake, teaching/lecturing, both within the PHE and in external institutions to a range of audiences including post-graduate students, public health specialists.14. Be aware of, and put into practice, relevant policies and procedures to maintain confidentiality of patient information and to maintain data confidentiality and security in compliance with PHE policies, the Data Protection Act and other statutory requirements.15. Undertake any other duties as specified by the Head of the Cell (Consultant in Public Health)
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
On 18 August 2020, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced plans to establish the National Institute for Health Protection and consult on the best future options for strengthening health improvement and other public health functions in the wider system. Public Health England and many of its employees will be in scope for transition to new organisations in Spring 2021. Any new or current employees working for Public Health England during this time, will receive appropriate communications and consultation prior to any formal transfer taking place. Employees who compulsorily transfer to successor bodies will remain on their existing contractual terms and conditions and this applies both to current employees and those recruited during the transition. The recruitment, growth & development of our workforce is vital for the continuing success of PHE and the future National Institute for Health Protection.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To manage scientific and administrative staff within the Epi Cell in the maintenance, development, statistical analysis, quality outputs and reporting from surveillance datasets.2. Undertake the further development, validation and evaluation of surveillance systems for use in the data collation and analyses of COVID-19 infections. Identify and incorporate additional data sources to augment COVID-19 infection data.3. Prepare expert rapid responses to Parliamentary Questions and requests from the media on COVID-19 infection, and general support for other aspects of the response for the PHECommunications Department.4. To interpret surveillance data and provide expert advice in response to ad hoc enquiries from Government agencies, public health practitioners, academics, commercial organisations and members of the public.5. To provide expert technical advice and assistance to public health practitioners on the design, maintenance, analysis and interpretation of relevant surveillance databases.6. Responsible for developing quality control processes and Standard Operating Procedures for the relevant outputs7. Manage the collaborations with relevant stakeholders, particularly with the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and NHS Improvement, Care Quality Commission, etc.8. Keep up-to-date on key methodological and analytical developments of potential relevance to this programme of work.9. Identify key public health questions of importance answerable through this work. Lead on addressing these questions through the analysis of existing data.10. Produce and assist in production of surveillance outputs via peer review publication, national and international conferences, PHE website and in the Health Protection Reports.11. Undertake teaching and training at various levels and provide scientific support to trainees in public health.12. Contribute to relevant international, national and PHE working parties and advisory committees.13. Design materials for, and undertake, teaching/lecturing, both within the PHE and in external institutions to a range of audiences including post-graduate students, public health specialists.14. Be aware of, and put into practice, relevant policies and procedures to maintain confidentiality of patient information and to maintain data confidentiality and security in compliance with PHE policies, the Data Protection Act and other statutory requirements.15. Undertake any other duties as specified by the Head of the Cell (Consultant in Public Health)
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
On 18 August 2020, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced plans to establish the National Institute for Health Protection and consult on the best future options for strengthening health improvement and other public health functions in the wider system. Public Health England and many of its employees will be in scope for transition to new organisations in Spring 2021. Any new or current employees working for Public Health England during this time, will receive appropriate communications and consultation prior to any formal transfer taking place. Employees who compulsorily transfer to successor bodies will remain on their existing contractual terms and conditions and this applies both to current employees and those recruited during the transition. The recruitment, growth & development of our workforce is vital for the continuing success of PHE and the future National Institute for Health Protection.
Person Specification
Skills and Capabilities
Essential
- Motivate and encourage team members
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Liaise with a wide range of health service and academic collaborators
- Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly
- Maintain required levels of confidentiality
- Diplomatic and tactful
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and work experience of communicable disease epidemiology and control including respiratory infections
- Broad understanding of and experience of health care systems, public health and the communicable disease function in the UK
- Handling, management databases and statistical analysis of large and complex datasets
- Excellent knowledge and experience with Stata or R
- Preparing research protocols and scientific reports
- Preparing and reviewing standard operating procedures
- Managing and leading scientific and administrative staff
- Proven peer review publication record
- Public presentation of complex data
Qualifications
Essential
- First degree in science subject
- Higher degree in epidemiology/ public health/ microbiology or related discipline
- Substantial post-graduate experience
Desirable
- PhD in epidemiology/ public health/ microbiology or related discipline
Equality and Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Person Specification
Skills and Capabilities
Essential
- Motivate and encourage team members
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Liaise with a wide range of health service and academic collaborators
- Communicate ideas and methods clearly and succinctly
- Maintain required levels of confidentiality
- Diplomatic and tactful
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Knowledge and work experience of communicable disease epidemiology and control including respiratory infections
- Broad understanding of and experience of health care systems, public health and the communicable disease function in the UK
- Handling, management databases and statistical analysis of large and complex datasets
- Excellent knowledge and experience with Stata or R
- Preparing research protocols and scientific reports
- Preparing and reviewing standard operating procedures
- Managing and leading scientific and administrative staff
- Proven peer review publication record
- Public presentation of complex data
Qualifications
Essential
- First degree in science subject
- Higher degree in epidemiology/ public health/ microbiology or related discipline
- Substantial post-graduate experience
Desirable
- PhD in epidemiology/ public health/ microbiology or related discipline
Equality and Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
