Job summary
Job Title - Senior Climate Change Scientist - Climate Change Adaptation
Profession- Science
Directorate - Centre for Climate and Health Security - Scientific Strategy and Development
Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours
No of Roles - 1
Contract Type - Permanent
Location - Remote
Working Pattern - Full Time /Part Time / Flexible Working/ Hybrid Working/ Job Share
Grade & Salary - Grade SEO. National banding £37,056 - £42,481. Outer London - £38,967 - £44,240. Inner London - £40,876 - £45,998
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
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 - 25/08/2023. 23:55pm. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
Interview Date - 11/09/2023 Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Main duties of the job
The post forms part of the Centre for Climate and Health Security's (CCHS) Climate Change and Health Team (CCH). The post holder will work with a small team of scientists providing support to the CCH Team Leader, to the Centre for Climate and Health Security (CCHS), UKHSA and others on work related to climate change and health security.
The post holder will provide expert advice on the human health effects of climate change, particularly in relation to data analytics and impact assessment relating to environmental change and environmental sustainability. The post holder will also provide support for climate change adaptation policies through collaboration with the UKHSA Policy Team and contribute to UKHSA capacity in climate-health impact assessment and data analytics, including fulfilling commitments to the Climate Change Risk Assessment and the National Adaptation Programme, for example. This post will contribute to the research programme of the CCH Team, with a view to publishing peer reviewed articles, securing external funding and contributing to the objectives of the CCHS. The post will contribute mainly to CCHS Theme 4: Climate and Health Scenarios and Modelling.
The post holder will represent the CCH Team as a member of various scientific and policy related working groups with external stakeholders in Government and academia and others.
About us
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Develop and provide expert scientific advice on climate-health impacts and adaptation, particularly in the context of qualitative and mixed-methods research, for example health systems assessment, mental health, social care, public health preparedness and response, and behavioural sciences in the context of environmental change, on public health.
- Develop climate-health assessment capability using available mixed-methods approaches.
- Synthesise evidence and available data on climate, environmental and health with emphasis on public health implications.
- Assist UKHSA, academic collaborators, government officials and officials in national and international bodies in the analysis and interpretation of complex scientific data in a specific area and in the provision of advice.
- Assist in the provision of specialist advice to clinicians and healthcare professionals on climate and environmental health issues as appropriate during an emergency situation.
- Undertaking the necessary Research and Development to underpin UKHSAs capability to provide advice on environmental change and health.
- Contribute to research programmes on climate and health in collaboration with universities.
- Collect, synthesise and interpret complex health and environmental evidence.
- Provide advice concerning current and future climate-health risks and adaptation pathways relating to environmental health. Provide advice on the adaptation approaches that may be most useful for reducing disease burden.
- Write and contribute to peer-reviewed publications related to the postholders area of scientific work.
- Undertaking peer reviews of draft publications prepared by outside individuals, as required from time to time by journals.
- Provide input to and review appropriate consultation documents on government policy, issued by other agencies and government departments, on an ad hoc basis.
- Contribute to the delivery of the CCHSs research programme which will underpin UKHSAs capability to provide scientific advice on environmental change and health. This will include:
- Developing proposals for projects which are scientifically sound, appropriate and relevant to UKHSA and CCHSs aims and objectives.
- Seeking external funding where appropriate and negotiating the relevant contracts. Ensuring the research work is undertaken within appropriate and relevant quality management systems.
- Ensuring all data/ information generated within the Climate Change work programme is stored in an appropriate manner ideally in an electronic form consistent with UKHSA information management policies.
- Communicating scientific results in peer reviewed journals and at conferences as well as in PHE publications.
- Contributing to training courses run by UKHSA and also by external bodies.
Occasional domestic travel to UKHSA offices may be required including overnight stays.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:
Internal
- Daily with CCH Team leader and other scientific and administrative staff throughout CCHS.
- Frequently with Deputy Director of the CCHS and other members of the Centre.
- Frequently with staff in other Directorates and Divisions of UKHSA, including Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards Directorate, Regional Directors, senior management and consultants.
- Frequently with corporate function staff.
External
- Frequently with collaborating scientists worldwide at a professional level.
- Senior scientists/ managers in official bodies such as Department of Health and Social Care and International bodies such as WHO
- As required with other UKHSA stakeholders and key agencies including Local Authorities, universities, emergency responders, health and other government departments and agencies, at a strategic and operational level as CCHS representative advising on and climate change and related environmental issues. This may also involve responding to media queries.
- Periodically with members of the public representing the UKHSA at public meetings to answer queries in the postholders specialist area of expertise.
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.
Essential Criteria:
- Relevant PhD qualification in data modelling and analytics for climate-health, for example meteorology, climatology, physics, atmospheric chemistry, environmental science, mathematical modelling or a Masters plus PhD-equivalent relevant expertise and experience
- Environmental Public Health training or equivalent postgraduate qualification
- Climate impacts and adaptation assessment background (e.g. leading or substantial contributions to a climate assessment report at the national or sectoral level)
- Experience of undertaking research and global partnership development
- Experience of undertaking mixed-methods health impact assessments
- Analysis of complex qualitative and/or mixed-methods evidence
- Excellent Communication and interpersonal Skills
- Excellent presentation skills
- Writing papers and research proposals, communication and collaboration
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Desirable Criteria:
- Environmental Public Health training or equivalent postgraduate qualification
- Training course design and delivery skills
- Familiarity with Information Management protocols
- Experience in climate change related research
Selection Process
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 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 500 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 / technical / ability through the Civil Service Competencies Framework. The interview will be conducted remotely over teams where you may have to do a presentation
The Competencies you will be tested on are:
1. Seeing the big picture
2. Changing and improving
3. Making effective decisions
1. Leading and communicating
2. Collaborating and partnering
3. Building capability for all
1. Achieving commercial outcomes
2. Delivering value for money
3. Managing a quality service
4. Delivering at pace
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 athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis 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 theEuropean 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
Its 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
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Develop and provide expert scientific advice on climate-health impacts and adaptation, particularly in the context of qualitative and mixed-methods research, for example health systems assessment, mental health, social care, public health preparedness and response, and behavioural sciences in the context of environmental change, on public health.
- Develop climate-health assessment capability using available mixed-methods approaches.
- Synthesise evidence and available data on climate, environmental and health with emphasis on public health implications.
- Assist UKHSA, academic collaborators, government officials and officials in national and international bodies in the analysis and interpretation of complex scientific data in a specific area and in the provision of advice.
- Assist in the provision of specialist advice to clinicians and healthcare professionals on climate and environmental health issues as appropriate during an emergency situation.
- Undertaking the necessary Research and Development to underpin UKHSAs capability to provide advice on environmental change and health.
- Contribute to research programmes on climate and health in collaboration with universities.
- Collect, synthesise and interpret complex health and environmental evidence.
- Provide advice concerning current and future climate-health risks and adaptation pathways relating to environmental health. Provide advice on the adaptation approaches that may be most useful for reducing disease burden.
- Write and contribute to peer-reviewed publications related to the postholders area of scientific work.
- Undertaking peer reviews of draft publications prepared by outside individuals, as required from time to time by journals.
- Provide input to and review appropriate consultation documents on government policy, issued by other agencies and government departments, on an ad hoc basis.
- Contribute to the delivery of the CCHSs research programme which will underpin UKHSAs capability to provide scientific advice on environmental change and health. This will include:
- Developing proposals for projects which are scientifically sound, appropriate and relevant to UKHSA and CCHSs aims and objectives.
- Seeking external funding where appropriate and negotiating the relevant contracts. Ensuring the research work is undertaken within appropriate and relevant quality management systems.
- Ensuring all data/ information generated within the Climate Change work programme is stored in an appropriate manner ideally in an electronic form consistent with UKHSA information management policies.
- Communicating scientific results in peer reviewed journals and at conferences as well as in PHE publications.
- Contributing to training courses run by UKHSA and also by external bodies.
Occasional domestic travel to UKHSA offices may be required including overnight stays.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:
Internal
- Daily with CCH Team leader and other scientific and administrative staff throughout CCHS.
- Frequently with Deputy Director of the CCHS and other members of the Centre.
- Frequently with staff in other Directorates and Divisions of UKHSA, including Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards Directorate, Regional Directors, senior management and consultants.
- Frequently with corporate function staff.
External
- Frequently with collaborating scientists worldwide at a professional level.
- Senior scientists/ managers in official bodies such as Department of Health and Social Care and International bodies such as WHO
- As required with other UKHSA stakeholders and key agencies including Local Authorities, universities, emergency responders, health and other government departments and agencies, at a strategic and operational level as CCHS representative advising on and climate change and related environmental issues. This may also involve responding to media queries.
- Periodically with members of the public representing the UKHSA at public meetings to answer queries in the postholders specialist area of expertise.
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.
Essential Criteria:
- Relevant PhD qualification in data modelling and analytics for climate-health, for example meteorology, climatology, physics, atmospheric chemistry, environmental science, mathematical modelling or a Masters plus PhD-equivalent relevant expertise and experience
- Environmental Public Health training or equivalent postgraduate qualification
- Climate impacts and adaptation assessment background (e.g. leading or substantial contributions to a climate assessment report at the national or sectoral level)
- Experience of undertaking research and global partnership development
- Experience of undertaking mixed-methods health impact assessments
- Analysis of complex qualitative and/or mixed-methods evidence
- Excellent Communication and interpersonal Skills
- Excellent presentation skills
- Writing papers and research proposals, communication and collaboration
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Desirable Criteria:
- Environmental Public Health training or equivalent postgraduate qualification
- Training course design and delivery skills
- Familiarity with Information Management protocols
- Experience in climate change related research
Selection Process
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 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 500 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 / technical / ability through the Civil Service Competencies Framework. The interview will be conducted remotely over teams where you may have to do a presentation
The Competencies you will be tested on are:
1. Seeing the big picture
2. Changing and improving
3. Making effective decisions
1. Leading and communicating
2. Collaborating and partnering
3. Building capability for all
1. Achieving commercial outcomes
2. Delivering value for money
3. Managing a quality service
4. Delivering at pace
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 athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis 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 theEuropean 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
Its 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
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- oRelevant PhD qualification in data modelling and analytics for climate-health, for example meteorology, climatology, physics, atmospheric chemistry, environmental science, mathematical modelling or a Masters plus PhD-equivalent relevant expertise and experience
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- oRelevant PhD qualification in data modelling and analytics for climate-health, for example meteorology, climatology, physics, atmospheric chemistry, environmental science, mathematical modelling or a Masters plus PhD-equivalent relevant expertise and experience
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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).
