Senior Environmental Public Health Scientist (Climate Change)

Job summary

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.

This post will contribute to a key CCHS research programme, ‘Centre for Net Positive Solutions for Health and Climate (Net+ or ‘Net Positive’)’. The Net+ Centre is a national focus for research, networking and capacity building, identifying ‘net-positive’ interventions for health solutions, reducing the negative impacts of climate change while maximising the co-benefits of interventions and providing the basis for furthering scientific advances, policy advice and innovation. Net+ is a collaboration between the University of Exeter (UoE), the UKHSA, Forest Research (FR), the National Trust (NT), and the Met Office (MO).

This post will be located within the CEE Department and will work under a matrix management arrangement with the CCHS (see details in Job Description below), delivering jointly agreed objectives across both areas to deliver key work packages in the Net+ project. The post holder will develop the evidence base concerning links between climate change and health security, including understanding the effectiveness of adaptation interventions. They will work with a range of teams across UKHSA to understand Healthy Landscapes and Green-Blue spaces, covering a range of topic areas such as heat, vector borne disease, water quality, air quality, mental health and chemicals. They will generate and translate evidence to inform development of toolkits, special reports, and policy impact pathways for UKHSA’s partners, pursuant to the objectives of the Net+ Centre.

Job description

• Undertake the necessary Research and Development to underpin UKHSA’s capability to provide advice on environmental change and health
• Lead and contribute to the delivery of the Net+ Centre agreed research programme which will underpin UKHSA’s capability to provide scientific advice on environmental change and health in collaboration with the University of Exeter, Forest Research, and the National Trust
• Work with internal and external partners to identify priority policy or risk questions and shape analytical approaches to address these questions
• Develop epidemiological modelling approaches to analyse available datasets of climate, environmental and health with emphasis on public health outcomes including co-benefits
• Translate complex statistical outputs into accessible visual formats (e.g. graphics, infographics, policy briefs) tailored to non-technical audiences to meet user needs
• Develop and provide expert scientific advice on the impacts and response to climate change on human health based on the analyses completed within the Net+ Centre
• Assist UKHSA, academic collaborators, government officials and officials in national and international bodies in the analysis and interpretation of complex scientific data in a specific area related to climate change and health (e.g. systematic literature review skills considered an asset) and in the provision of advice
• Provide advice concerning current and future weather, emissions and other environmental factors relating to environmental health, with a focus on urban/rural infrastructure such as greenspaces, trees and rivers to deliver climate-resilient health benefits. Provide advice on the adaptation approaches that may be most useful for reducing disease burden
• Write and contribute to peer-reviewed publications related to the post holder’s area of scientific work. Undertaking peer reviews of draft publications prepared by outside individuals, as required from time to time by journals
• Provide input to and review appropriate consultation documents on government policy, issued by other agencies and government departments, on an ad hoc basis
• Contribute to the development, delivery and expansion of UKHSA’s research programme on climate and health security. This will include:
  • Developing/leading on proposals for projects which are scientifically sound, appropriate and relevant to UKHSA’s and the Net+ Centre’s aims and objectives
  • Ensuring the research work is undertaken within appropriate and relevant quality management systems.
  • Ensuring all data/ information generated within the Net+ work programme is stored in an appropriate manner ideally in an electronic form consistent with UKHSA’s information management policies.
  • Communicating scientific results in peer reviewed journals and at conferences as well as in UKHSA publications.

Environmental Epidemiology Team (EET) in Chemical and Environmental Effects Department (CEED)

The EET in CEED covers three main functions of environmental public health: a) Response to public health incidents of environmental nature; b) Environmental Public Health Surveillance and the development of information systems for the public health community and others; c) Applied science strengthening for environmental public health. CEE undertakes translational research and development to improve the understanding and management of the impact of chemical hazards and incidents on public health.

Centre for Climate and Health Security (CCHS)

The Centre for Climate and Health Security (the ‘CCHS’) provides scientific advice and support to local, national and international partners to ensure that the impacts of climate change on public health are considered and embedded in system design. Possessing multi-disciplinary teams, scientific infrastructure, and a broad network of partners, UKHSA will speak with an authoritative voice that will aid the design of local, national and international policies, as well as the organisations responsible for delivering them.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Relevant PhD qualification in Public Health and environmental epidemiology, mathematical modelling, or Masters’ Degree with equivalent relevant experience to PhD level
• Research background the use of epidemiological methods for climate change and public health
• Experience in coordinating climate, environmental change and health research
• Experience of undertaking research and development
• Use of advanced statistical software and programming (e.g. STATA, SAS, Python) and geographic information systems (GIS), statistical modelling, programming (e.g. R)
• Management and analysis of weather, environmental and health data sets
• Excellent Communication and interpersonal Skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Writing peer review papers and research proposals, communication and collaboration
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in statistical modelling using health data including translating statistical outputs using data visualisation techniques
• Familiarity with Information Management protocols
• Training course design and delivery skills including synthesising and translating research findings for different audiences

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,148, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,789 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 qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 10 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1500 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.

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

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

If used, the selected piles from ‘Meets all essential criteria’ and ‘Meets some 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 coordinating climate, environmental change and health research
• Management and analysis of weather, environmental and health data sets
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

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 & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

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

There will be a Presentation on a climate‑change topic relevant to this role and profession. Full wording and specific brief will be provided to candidates invited to interview.

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 hybrid working based at our core HQ in London, Canary Wharf, or our Scientific Campus in Chilton (Didcot).

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) working at our base in London or Chilton.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

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

If based at our Core HQ in London, Canary Wharf:

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

If based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton (Didcot):

You will be required to have a minimum of 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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

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.

Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

• £44,148- £50,121 (Outer London)
• £46,310- £52,113 (Inner London)

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: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers

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 UKHSA Hub , Civil Service 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 : Timor Miakhel
• Email : timor.miakhel@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 the UKHSA Complaints team via email at: 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 for further information: Home - Civil Service Commission

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7860015