Senior Environmental Public Health Scientist (Climate Change & Health)

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 the research programme of the Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Climate Change and Health Security funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). This HPRU is a collaboration between the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), University College London (UCL), the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency. This post will mainly contribute to Theme 1: Health Impact Assessment and Climate & Health Epidemiology of the HPRU. In addition, the post holder will have opportunity to contribute to evidence supporting climate change adaptation policies for example through the Climate Change Risk Assessment and the UK National Adaptation Programme. The post holder will sit within the Centre for Climate and Health Security’s (CCHS) Climate Health Assessment Team (CHAT), and they will seek out and develop collaborative working between the CHAT Team and other stakeholders, both within UKHSA and externally, especially partners within the HPRU (LSHTM, UCL and the Met Office). They will work closely with the other members of CHAT and other Groups within UKHSA, and deputise for senior staff as required.

Job description

The post holder will develop and build on research methods for examining the climate, environmental, and other drivers of impacts on health in the UK. The data will derive from diverse sources within the UK or further as appropriate. The post holder will work very closely with other groups, such as the Syndromic Surveillance team, and Analysis and Intelligence Assessment amongst others. The post holder will provide expertise in public health and environmental science, including evidence generation and synthesis, epidemiological methods, and health impact assessment, with a view to publishing peer reviewed articles. They will also ensure integration across UKHSA centres/departments and between the HPRU partners.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

• Undertake the necessary research and development to underpin UKHSA’s capability to provide advice on climate change and health
• Lead and contribute to the delivery of the HPRU agreed research programme which will underpin UKHSA’s capability to provide scientific advice on climate change and health. in collaboration with the LSHTM, UCL and the Met Office
• Develop approaches (e.g. time series, generalised additive models, case-crossover analysis) to analyse available datasets of climate, environmental and health parameters with emphasis on public health outcomes
• Develop and provide expert scientific advice on the current and future impacts of weather/climate on human health based on the analyses completed within the HPRU
• 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 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 environmental change and health. This will include:
  • Developing/leading on proposals for projects which are scientifically sound, appropriate and relevant to UKHSA’s and the HPRU’s aims and objectives
  • Seeking external funding where appropriate and negotiating the relevant contracts.
  • Ensuring the research work is undertaken within appropriate and relevant quality management systems.
  • Ensuring all data/ information generated within the Climate Change 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.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Relevant PhD qualification or equivalent experience in Public Health or environmental science, or equivalent experience in this area
• Research background in the use of epidemiological methods for climate change and public health, and experience of conducting Health Impact Assessments
• Experience in coordinating/leading climate change and health related research
• Experience of undertaking research and development
• Use of standard statistical software for data analysis (e.g. R, python, STATA), geographic information systems (GIS)
• Management and analysis of complex environmental and health data sets for the UK
• 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

• Environmental Public Health training
• Experience in modelling or evaluating interventions for climate and health
• Familiarity with Information Management protocols
• Training course design and delivery skills

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,983, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,162 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 is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

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 will longlist into 3 piles of:

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

If used, the pile ‘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:

• Relevant PhD qualification or equivalent experience in Public Health or environmental science, or equivalent experience
• Research background in the use of epidemiological methods for climate change and public health, and experience of conducting Health Impact Assessments
• Experience in coordinating/leading climate change and health related research

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.

Behaviours will be tested at interview.

There will be a 5-10 minute (to include Q&A) presentation relating to "Assessing future climate‑related health impacts in the UK." Precise topic to be shared at interview stage.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Making effective decisions (Lead Behaviour)
• Seeing the big picture
• Communication and influencing
• Working together
• Delivering at pace

Interviews are planned for week beginning the 4th of May. 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 a homeworking role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

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 Basic Personnel Security Standard.

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.

As this is a homeworking role, the postholders salary will be dependent on where they are based:

• National Pay scale: £41,983 - 48,128
• Outer London Pay scale: £44,148 - 50,121
• Inner London Pay scale: £46,310 - 52,113

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/7863608