UK Health Security Agency

Data scientist

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

As a Data Scientist you will be part of a dynamic team responsible for delivering the development, management, and coordination of enhanced surveillance systems of vaccine preventable diseases.

The main responsibilities of the postholder will be to maintain and develop enhanced surveillance systems for vaccine preventable diseases and linked datasets used to monitor vaccine safety and effectiveness, working closely with a wide variety of professionals from both within and outside UKHSA to ensure high quality data. The post holder will be responsible for automating the production of regular reports for inclusion in routine national and international reports and undertake ad hoc outputs from these systems and information requests from government. The role requires liaising with stakeholders within the organisation and outside to support effective decision making through data reporting, quality assurance and standards processes.

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working - this means that whilst the role will be based in our Colindale office, there will be opportunities to work from home. The number of days in the office will be agreed on an individual basis by your line manager.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available

Main duties of the job

As a Data Scientist you will be part of a dynamic team responsible for delivering the development, management, and coordination of enhanced surveillance systems of vaccine preventable diseases.

The main responsibilities of the postholder will be to maintain and develop enhanced surveillance systems for preventable diseases and linked datasets used to monitor vaccine safety and effectiveness, working closely with a wide variety of professionals from both within and outside UKHSA to ensure high quality data. They will be responsible for the move to automation of the production of regular outputs from these systems for inclusion in routine national and international reports and generate data for ad hoc requests and information requests from government. The role requires liaising with stakeholders within the organisation and outside to support effective decision making through data reporting, quality assurance and standards processes. It involves developing working relationships with other health professional groups both within UKHSA and the NHS at various levels to manage and source data and information, in the context of a rapidly changing data environment. The postholder will have strong data management skills, ideally with experience in immunisation data. The person must have excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively both autonomously and within a team.

About us

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

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

Details

Date posted

09 August 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£32,978 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

UKHSA00201

Job locations

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

IMMUNISATION & VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES DIVISION

The Immunisation Division is responsible for the national surveillance of most vaccine preventable infections and in providing technical support and clinical expertise to the Department of Health and Social Care and to the NHS in planning and delivering the national immunisation programmes.

The department evaluates the programmes by generating high quality data on disease incidence, vaccine coverage, age-specific immunity, and vaccine effectiveness. Surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases and vaccine coverage data are vital components of the evaluation of vaccination programmes in the UK. These data inform the understanding of the epidemiology of different infections and the public health impact of vaccination programmes and help develop and improve control strategies. The department provides secretariat to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation who would recommend any changes to the national programme. The department also oversees the national distribution and clinical use of immunoglobulins and supports or leads outbreak investigations.

About Us

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.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, against the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 750 words.

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. The sift selection panel will only consider relevant career history information from the last 5 years.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW:

This competition will involve an interview via Teams.

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.

The Success Profiles framework will be used at interview to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

  • Seeing the big picture
  • Changing and improving
  • Leading and communicating
  • Collaborating and partnering
  • Managing a quality service
  • Delivering at pace

Candidates will also be required to complete a short test. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs 27/08/2023 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: 11/09/2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Nationality requirements

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.

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 Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

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&Cs 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:Complaints1@ukhsa.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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

IMMUNISATION & VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES DIVISION

The Immunisation Division is responsible for the national surveillance of most vaccine preventable infections and in providing technical support and clinical expertise to the Department of Health and Social Care and to the NHS in planning and delivering the national immunisation programmes.

The department evaluates the programmes by generating high quality data on disease incidence, vaccine coverage, age-specific immunity, and vaccine effectiveness. Surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases and vaccine coverage data are vital components of the evaluation of vaccination programmes in the UK. These data inform the understanding of the epidemiology of different infections and the public health impact of vaccination programmes and help develop and improve control strategies. The department provides secretariat to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation who would recommend any changes to the national programme. The department also oversees the national distribution and clinical use of immunoglobulins and supports or leads outbreak investigations.

About Us

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.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, against the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 750 words.

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. The sift selection panel will only consider relevant career history information from the last 5 years.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW:

This competition will involve an interview via Teams.

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.

The Success Profiles framework will be used at interview to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

  • Seeing the big picture
  • Changing and improving
  • Leading and communicating
  • Collaborating and partnering
  • Managing a quality service
  • Delivering at pace

Candidates will also be required to complete a short test. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs 27/08/2023 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: 11/09/2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Nationality requirements

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.

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 Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

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&Cs 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:Complaints1@ukhsa.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.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area
  • Data science programming skills such as SQL, R or any other programming language, particularly in relation to public health
  • Data management, analysis, and reporting
  • Significant experience of working with multiple sets of data and information systems in health or related organisations
  • Experience of scripting (ability to write functions and understandable object orientated code) and applied use of statistical computing environments such as R, SAS, STATA, SPSS, Mathematical or equivalent
  • Knowledge of data security and confidentiality issues
  • Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources
  • Well-developed software skills in database management including experience of SQL
  • Ability to analyse and resolve highly complex information queries and problems
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable

  • Post-graduate degree and / or equivalent or significant experience related to health information
  • Interpreting and evaluating data
  • Experience of working in the NHS
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to degree level in relevant subject or equivalent level qualification or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area
  • Data science programming skills such as SQL, R or any other programming language, particularly in relation to public health
  • Data management, analysis, and reporting
  • Significant experience of working with multiple sets of data and information systems in health or related organisations
  • Experience of scripting (ability to write functions and understandable object orientated code) and applied use of statistical computing environments such as R, SAS, STATA, SPSS, Mathematical or equivalent
  • Knowledge of data security and confidentiality issues
  • Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources
  • Well-developed software skills in database management including experience of SQL
  • Ability to analyse and resolve highly complex information queries and problems
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable

  • Post-graduate degree and / or equivalent or significant experience related to health information
  • Interpreting and evaluating data
  • Experience of working in the NHS

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

RPO Lead Recruiter

Daisy Zhang

UKHSA.recruitment@reed.com

Details

Date posted

09 August 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£32,978 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

UKHSA00201

Job locations

Colindale

London

NW9 5EQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)