Epidemiology and Information Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Educated to degree level in public health or information science or equivalent experience Masters qualification in public health, information science, or a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience Knowledge of epidemiological investigation Knowledge or experience of basic statistical tests, performing descriptive epidemiology with strong analytical skills, excellent accuracy and attention to detail Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data(base) management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting Experience of using computer and database software packages for epidemiological and statistical software packages Understand information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements Excellent oral and written communication skills Proficient in a common statistical/database/mapping tool such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc. Able to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders Good organisational, prioritisation and time management skills and able to work under own initiative 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

Training or experience in validating data including automated routines Knowledge of health and social care environment, and an awareness of surveillance and epidemiology and information flows in the NHS and allied services Line management experience including appraising staff and managing performance Proven scientific report writing skills

SELECTION PROCESS:

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications,knowledgeand experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1:Application& SiftCompetency-based assessments

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe above listedessentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of

• a CV/ Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 1500 wordStatement of Suitability.

This should outline howyou consideryour skills,experience,andknowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment

Please do not exceed 1500 words.We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) virtual interview held via Microsoft Teams.

Interviews are expected to be held weeks commencing 8th July 2024 and 15th July 2024 though this may be subject to change.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

As part of the assessment process, there will be a Technical Test. Further details of this will be confirmed to you nearer the time.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location information

UKHSA operates 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) working at your contractual work base Leeds/Newcastle Upon Tyne. Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (includingby definition internalapplicants).

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.

Working for the Civil Service:

TheCivil Service Codesets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by meriton the basis offair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission'srecruitment principles.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction.Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

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

Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role.

If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available

Starting salary

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 isdeterminedby whichever is the highest.

For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment

Person Specification

CV

Essential

• CV/Personal Statement

Desirable

• Proven scientific report writing skills

Education and Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level in public health or information science or equivalent experience
• Masters qualification in public health, information science, or a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Knowledge of epidemiological investigation
• Knowledge or experience of basic statistical tests, performing descriptive epidemiology with strong analytical skills, excellent accuracy and attention to detail
• Knowledge of principles and practice of surveillance, including data(base) management, data transmission, data security, data quality, data analysis including descriptive statistics and graphics and data reporting
• Experience of using computer and database software packages for epidemiological and statistical software packages
• Understand information governance including data protection and confidentiality requirements

Desirable

• Training or experience in validating data including automated routines
• Knowledge of health and social care environment, and an awareness of surveillance and epidemiology and information flows in the NHS and allied services
• Line management experience including appraising staff and managing performance

Skills and capabilities

Essential

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficient in a common statistical/database/mapping tool such as Stata, R, GIS, network analysis, SQL, etc.
• Able to maintain effective relationships with co-workers and key stakeholders
• Good organisational, prioritisation and time management skills and able to work under own initiative

Equality and diversity

Essential

• 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

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

Leeds/Newcastle upon Tyne (Hybrid)

Leeds/Newcastle upon Tyne (Hybrid)

LS1 4PL

Employer's website

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