Consultant Epidemiologist - Emerging Infections

This post is located within the UKHSA Epidemic and Emerging Infections (EEI) Directorate within the Chief Medical Adviser (CMA) Group providing clinical and public health leadership through expert advice, guidance, epidemiological insights and evidence. The Emerging Infections and Zoonoses team is part of TARZET division (TB, respiratory, zoonoses, emerging infections, travel health, rare and imported pathogens genomics public health analysis) within the EEI directorate and is responsible for public health expertise in emerging infections, high consequence infectious diseases, zoonoses and epidemic intelligence. EIZ collaborate with various teams across UKHSA, work closely with the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, the NHS, APHA academic and other cross-government colleagues on national systems for the preparedness, detection and response to emerging infections, zoonoses and high consequence infectious diseases, and provide a secretariat function for the Human Animal Infection Risk Surveillance Group (HAIRS)

This post will provide expert leadership across the emerging infections and zoonoses portfolio at a national level with a focus on epidemic intelligence and emerging infections. They will be responsible for proactive and reactive national and international level epidemiology, horizon scanning and risk assessment for novel, emerging, zoonotic and high consequence pathogens. This includes strengthening UKHSA's epidemic intelligence capability through the development of rapid risk assessment methodologies, and the application of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to horizon scanning and early warning systems in collaboration with UKHSA data and analytics teams. Within this role the postholder will routinely collaborate with teams within UKHSA and across Government and with other key partners, including academic and international organisations to support preparedness and response activities.

The postholder will have strong technical knowledge and skills and be able to operate effectively across the system at a senior level.

Surveillance and Prevention Monitoring

• Develop and utilise information and intelligence systems to underpin public health action across disciplines and organisations.
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative approaches to epidemic intelligence, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced analytics methods for horizon scanning, signal detection and risk assessment in partnership with the Chief Data Officer Group.
• Provide strategic leadership for the evaluation, validation and operational implementation of AI-enabled tools within epidemic intelligence workflows.
• Lead collation and interpretation of relevant data to develop the most appropriate analyses from a range of sources, including highly complex epidemiological, microbiological and statistical information about the health of domestic and international populations.
• Analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research evidence to make recommendations and inform decision making which may have long-term impacts.
• Enhance UKHSA's rapid risk assessment capability for emerging infectious disease threats.
• Provide epidemiological leadership for the further development and operationalisation of EOIS.
• Support and develop teams responsible for the specialist and complex analyses of quantitative and/or qualitative datasets.

Outbreak support and Epidemiological Investigations

• Lead multidisciplinary Incident Management teams and contribute to a range of national and international outbreak responses.
• Lead on the technical and analytical aspects of epidemiological outbreak investigations including advising on study design, writing protocols for analytical studies, questionnaire development and study database development, and preparing outbreak reports in collaboration with UKHS field epidemiology services, and other data and analytics teams as necessary.
• Supporting responses to outbreaks and incidents with implications for public health in the UK through provision of evidence-based advice and guidance on emerging infections

Leadership and Management

• Lead preparedness activities relating to emerging infections, zoonoses and high consequence infectious diseases, including public health advice and guidance and epidemic intelligence.
• Lead the development, standardisation and continuous improvement of rapid risk assessment methodologies for emerging infectious disease threats, ensuring outputs support timely decision-making across UKHSA and Government.
• Provide senior oversight of national and international rapid risk assessments for novel, emerging, zoonotic and high consequence pathogens.
• Strengthen strategic collaboration between the Emerging Infections and Zoonoses team and the Chief Data Officer Group.
• Liaison with other government departments and organisations working on emerging infections, including NHS England, the High Consequence Infectious Diseases network, FCDO, MOD, and the devolved administrations.
• Expert support to scientific advisory committees as required, including the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens.
• Ensure secretariat support to HAIRS.

Research and Development

• Oversight of the production of peer reviewed publications on emerging infections topics.
• Proactively engage with academic and international partners to develop the research evidence base required to support the control of communicable disease in these specialist areas, both initiating and collaborating with research as appropriate and linking with relevant academic institutions.

Teaching and Training

• Deliver teaching for a variety of individuals, institutions and stakeholders as required regarding emerging infections and zoonoses.
• Providing project supervision for Speciality Registrars, trainees on the Field Epidemiology Trainee Programme, Clinical fellows and other trainees on attachment at Colindale.
• Contribute to competency development and assessment in health protection for the health protection workforce.

Other duties

Contribute to the provision of appropriate rotas, which may include the epidemic and emerging infections duty consultant rota, the international health regulations rota, or other clinical or incident response rotas dependent on specialist experience and CMA group needs.

The postholder may, with their agreement (which should not reasonably be withheld), be required:

• to undertake other duties as required, which fall within the grading of this post, to meet the needs of TARZET.
• to deputise and cover as necessary for colleagues during annual leave, study leave and other absences.

Professional Development

• Identify, discuss, and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal and personal development plans.
• Attending internal external training events in line with professional development needs and in relation to the role.
• Participate in all mandatory training as required by the organisation.

Management Arrangements

A detailed job plan will be agreed between the post holder and the line manager which will be reviewed annually. The job plan and the job description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder in the light of the needs of the employing organisation and the development of the speciality of public health and any wider developments in the field of public health.

The Consultant will:

• Be expected to take on the line management of some staff. Where line management responsibilities are agreed, this will include recruitment, appraisals, disciplinary and grievance responsibilities.
• Manage budgets as agreed with the Deputy Director and/ or head of team.
• Be a visible, positive leader and role model and demonstrating high professional standards.
• Actively identify, lead and contribute to quality improvement and governance initiatives in line with strategic direction of the Unit.
• Contribute to proactive and responsive media issues.
• Proactively contribute to wider organisational development.
• Be prepared to take on wider national roles and represent the UKHSA in discussions with government departments, agencies and professional groups as appropriate to individual expertise and experience and when requested by the Deputy Director – TARZET.
• Will be expected to contribute to the UKHSA response during incidents in line with UKHSAs Emergency Planning Resilience and Response (EPRR) arrangements.
• Supervise Specialty Registrars in Public Health or other specialties.

Please refer to the Job Description for a more comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

External

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Competency

At sift stage you will be assessed against the Essential Criteria listed in the job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• Up to 1500 word Statement of Suitability

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V – please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)

Your statement of suitability must be no more than 1500 word count.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications, only those who meet all essential criteria will progress.

In the event of a large volume of applications, desirable criteria will be used.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

You will be invited to a remote interview.

This vacancy is being assessed competency against the essential and desirable criteria.

During the interview we will assess against the below:

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Skills and Abilities

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.

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

Qualifications and Registrations

For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA’s incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day to day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be

appointed. The level of security needed is Baseline Personnel Security Standard.

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/huge-biosecurity-centre-investment-to-boost-pandemic-protection

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

NHS Pension

This role is being offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions.

• If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.
• If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing, substantive T&Cs.
• If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms

The successful candidate will be appointed to the point of the Consultant salary scale appropriate to their years of seniority.

AfC Band 8d (UKPHR) £94,356 - £108,814 (plus HCAS - 20% basic salary to a maximum £8,746)

Consultant (GMC) £113,565 - £150,569 (plus £2,162 London Weighting)

Per annum, pro rata

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.