Digital Proximity Capability Lead (Capability)

Job summary

The Pandemic Preparedness Digital Capability Lead sits within the Trusted Data & Technology Directorate at UKHSA. The role leads the development of digital capability to support pandemic response, focusing on digital proximity and contact tracing technologies.

Working across UKHSA, NHS England, DHSC and partners, the post holder will shape strategy, lead discovery work and build evidence for future investment in digital solutions.

The role is central to the Digital Proximity Programme, ensuring technologies are aligned with public health needs, policy, and governance requirements. It requires strong stakeholder engagement and the ability to operate in a fast‑paced, evolving environment.

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

The Pandemic Preparedness Digital Capability Lead is responsible for leading the development of digital capabilities to support pandemic response across UKHSA.

The role focuses on the discovery phase of the Digital Proximity Programme, identifying requirements, assessing technological options and building the evidence base for future capability. This includes analysing emerging technologies, exploring partnerships and shaping strategic direction.

The post holder works across multiple stakeholders, including UKHSA, NHS England, DHSC, academia and industry, to build consensus and ensure alignment with public health priorities and policy objectives. Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills are essential.

The role includes establishing governance structures, supporting programme delivery and ensuring effective reporting, risk management and oversight. It also involves ensuring consideration of ethical, legal and operational factors, including privacy, inclusion and public trust.

The Pandemic Preparedness Digital Capability Lead is responsible for leading the development of digital capabilities to support pandemic response across UKHSA.

The role focuses on the discovery phase of the Digital Proximity Programme, identifying requirements, assessing technological options and building the evidence base for future capability. This includes analysing emerging technologies, exploring partnerships and shaping strategic direction.

The post holder works across multiple stakeholders, including UKHSA, NHS England, DHSC, academia and industry, to build consensus and ensure alignment with public health priorities and policy objectives. Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills are essential.

The role includes establishing governance structures, supporting programme delivery and ensuring effective reporting, risk management and oversight. It also involves ensuring consideration of ethical, legal and operational factors, including privacy, inclusion and public trust.

The post holder provides clear advice and briefings to senior leaders, translating complex technical and public health concepts into practical recommendations.

The role contributes to business case development, market engagement and identification of viable delivery options, supporting future procurement and investment decisions.

Working in a fast‑paced and evolving environment, the post holder must manage competing priorities, operate independently and respond flexibly to changing requirements.

The main duties will include:

• Lead discovery work on digital pandemic technologies
• Define requirements for digital proximity solutions
• Develop strategy recommendations and business cases
• Establish governance and stakeholder engagement
• Build partnerships across government, NHS and industry
• Analyse technology landscape and innovation opportunities
• Lead market engagement and supplier activities
• Provide briefings to senior leaders
• Manage programme risks, reporting and delivery oversight
• Address policy, legal and ethical considerations
• Support cross‑government alignment and collaboration

This is not an exhaustive list.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Experience building cross‑government partnerships or equivalent experience of building partnerships across large and complex organisations
• Experience in public health or complex programme delivery in a similar large organisation
• Experience developing strategy and capability
• Understanding of digital technologies and programmes
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Strong communication and analytical skills
• Ability to work in ambiguity and fast‑moving environments
• Ability to manage priorities and work independently

Desirable criteria:

• Knowledge of public health (or UKHSA context)
• Experience translating complex technical issues into policy
• Experience delivering complex programmes at pace
• Understanding of digital systems and governance

Please note that 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.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £56,185, UK Health Security Agency contributes £16,276 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

Selection process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours and strengths.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 8 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1000 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 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.

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

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Experience building cross‑government partnerships or equivalent experience of building partnerships across large and complex organisations
• Experience in public health or complex programme delivery in a similar large organisation
• Experience developing strategy and capability

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Behaviours and strengths will be tested at interview.

The behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Working together (Lead)
• Delivering at pace
• Seeing the big picture
• Changing and improving

Interviews will be held in early July 2026. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

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 hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ’s in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf).

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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) on-site.

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Eligibility criteria

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

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard clearance.

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.

Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Grade 7

£56,185- £66,581 (National)
£58,340- £68,574 (Outer London)
£60,494- £70,566 (Inner London)

For fixed term posts

For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.

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

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

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : Jon Payne
• Email : jonathan.payne@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk