Data Manager

Job summary

The Respiratory Virus Unit (RVU) sits within the Virus Reference Department (VRD) at UKHSA Reference Services Colindale, London. RVU is the WHO (World Health Organisation) National Influenza Centre (NIC) for the UK and is the National Reference Laboratory for a range of respiratory virus pathogens. The unit is one of four WHO global respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Reference Laboratories, and as such collaborates with WHO, providing technical support and advice to national laboratories, and a WHO Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS CoV) Reference Laboratory, providing confirmatory and reference services for MERS CoV.
The post holder will take delegated responsibility from the Unit Head / Scientific Leads and Technical Manager to:

• Develop and maintain respiratory viruses-specific databases e.g. related to hospital and laboratory surveillance.
• Provide scientific support to the Virus Reference Department, Colindale.
• Have responsibility for the day-to-day management of enhanced surveillance systems for respiratory viruses, for contributing to further development of systems as well as participating in research activities within the section and the department.
• Provide key input into the project organisation, management, analysis and publications.
• Carry out scientific analysis, interpretations of the data held by the section, and contribute to development of other new projects for dissemination, presentation and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Regularly liaise with clinical microbiologists and physicians working in the field of respiratory viruses surveillance and research and with other health care professionals at the local and national level.

Working for your organisation

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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

Main Duties

• Surveillance system and project development
• Data analysis
• Database development
• Grant applications and reports
• National and international outbreak
• Confidentiality
• Other surveillance activities
• Teaching and training

Surveillance system and project development

• Contribute to pandemic surveillance preparedness activities
• Contribute to the development of new projects for respiratory viruses infections in particular in relation to community surveillance.
• Participate in research projects and surveillance related to respiratory viruses as appropriate to the work of the Department.

Data analysis

• In conjunction with others develop and maintain respiratory viruses-specific data bases e.g. related to hospital and laboratory surveillance
• Analyse and interpret complex scientific data, particularly in relation to hospital surveillance project to produce: regular scientific reports, presentations at national or international meetings , publications in peer reviewed journals and other ad-hoc analyses

Database development

• Develop and maintain respiratory viruses-specific databases e.g. related to hospital and laboratory surveillance
• In conjunction with others responsible for managing respiratory viruses databases for England and Wales, oversee the redevelopment of these databases. This will involve working with software experts in the planning and transfer of the database into a new system.

Grant applications and reports

• Contribute to applications for grant funding for respiratory viruses.

National and international outbreak

• Liaise with medical and scientific staff in the UKHSA, NHS, and other bodies, to provide information necessary for respiratory viruses.

Confidentiality

• Be aware of, and put into practice, relevant policies and procedures to maintain confidentiality of patient information. To maintain data confidentiality and security in compliance with UKHSA policies, the Data Protection Act, and other statutory requirements.

Other surveillance activities

• Provide support for other surveillance activities as required within the Department.

Teaching and training

• Contribute to the active teaching and training programme of the department, both within and outside.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree in a science or health related topic.
• Experience in data management and analysis using data-base software packages such as MS Access and SQL (Subject Query Language).
• Attention to detail and particular emphasis on accuracy of data.

Desirable criteria:

• Surveillance experience and report writing.
• Experience in programming (SQL).

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,749, UK Health Security Agency contributes £10,935 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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 employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge,experience, skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency Based

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 3 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)

• 750 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

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). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 750 words. We will not consider any words over 750 words.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria
2. Meets some essential criteria
3. Meets no essential criteria

The ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Experience in data management and analysis using data-base software packages such as MS Access and SQL (Subject Query Language)

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency Based

You will be invited to a single face to face interview in Colindale. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

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

There will be a 10-15 minutes SQL test which will be a written assessment to cover knowledge and level of skills in creating queries in SQL.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

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

Location

This role is being offered as office based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

This role is based in Colindale. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check.

Eligibility Criteria

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

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: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.
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.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

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.

Internal Fraud Check

This does not need to be included on EOI adverts.If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub, and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for external candidates to the Civil Service.Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

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.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Charlene Gwekwerere
• Email : charlene.gwekwerere@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

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: Complaints@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 here.

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7796511