Surveillance Officer

Job summary

The Data Surveillance Information Officer (DSIO) provides essential data, information and administrative support to the Health Protection Team (HPT), enabling the effective delivery of regional health protection functions. The role is central to the development, management and quality assurance of surveillance systems for communicable diseases and environmental hazards, ensuring accurate data flow, storage, analysis and reporting. Working closely with Consultants in Health Protection, Health Protection Practitioners, Business Support teams, microbiologists, local authorities and regional and national partners, the DSIO supports the investigation and management of infectious disease cases and outbreaks by coordinating data, producing timely reports, analyses and visualisations, and maintaining robust surveillance databases such as Case Information Management System (CIMS). The postholder ensures compliance with agreed protocols, statutory reporting requirements and information governance standards, while actively resolving data quality issues and contributing to audits and service improvements.

The DSIO also plays a key role in system development, staff training, preparation of standard operating procedures, and participation in outbreak response, epidemiological investigations and professional meetings, supporting continuous improvement of regional health protection surveillance and intelligence functions.

Job description

• Support Consultants and Practitioners in managing individual cases of infectious diseases and in outbreak management through follow-up and co-ordination of results and relevant data analysis to provide accurate and timely information to the HPU team.
• Ensure robust data flow and reporting mechanisms for laboratory and clinical notification are in place to protect individuals and the local population and facilitate the continued improvement in the regional health protection function.
• Ensure records relating to communicable disease notifications are processed and maintained to agreed protocols and standard operating procedures.
• To enter on Case Information Management System (CIMS). all notifiable diseases received from laboratories and to produce legally required statutory weekly returns to the Centre of Infections.
• Assist the SIO with ensuring timely reporting is delivered to the Health Protection team and partner organisations as detailed on the team’s Surveillance reporting calendar.
• Be responsible for developing, managing, maintaining and updating the team’s surveillance systems and databases for communicable diseases and environmental hazards for example enhanced surveillance of meningococcal disease and Tuberculosis. Ensure that data from a variety of sources, including files collected electronically or in written format are valid and accurately entered onto these systems.
• Develop close liaison working with key partners in surveillance for health protection for example Local Authorities, Microbiologists or TB nurses, Regional and National units.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy of database surveillance systems, resolving data inaccuracies to ensure robust data flows are maintained.
• To conduct regular audit of data and information systems to ensure the integrity and reliability of surveillance data and other data sources and contribute to initiatives to improve the quality of surveillance in the unit.
• To undertake periodic reviews and evaluation to ensure routine and ad-hoc surveillance reports are delivered in a timely and accurate manner.
• Provide support to the Health Protection clinical team during outbreak investigations and epidemiological research through provision of reports, graphs, and outbreak curves in a timely manner for the outbreak control team. To participate in the investigation of outbreaks of food poisoning to include questionnaire design, data entry and analysis. This may involve extended/out of hours requirement for which lieu time will be given.
• Provide training to regional clinical and administrative staff in the use of CIMS as necessary
• Attend meetings and working groups as representative for the Surveillance function, processing associated workload this entails.
• Prepare standard operating procedures based on national guidelines in liaison with health protection clinical staff.
• Act as a regional CIMS Information Champion.
• To work with the Regional IM&T team to maintain public health surveillance systems within the unit. (To include provision of reciprocal office cover to the Regional Information Team during periods of staff sickness/holidays/training/meeting requirements).
• Maintain confidentiality and security of information at all times in compliance with UKHSA policies, the Data protection Act and other statutory requirements(Caldicott).
• Attend professional meetings, conferences and training courses as designated by Surveillance Lead/Deputy Director for Health Protection.
• Proficient in the use of Office 360.

This list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Educated to degree level in numerate, analytical or science-based subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.
• Communicate proactively, accurately and succinctly.
• Negotiate in a friendly and tactful manner with a wide range of health, IT and academic professionals.
• Prioritise and co-ordinate workload.
• Work well on own initiative as well as in teams.
• Deal with problems in a calm, efficient and timely manner.
• Work to tight deadlines.
• Show sound numeracy skills and a good understanding of data presentation.
• Produce accurate and consistent work.
• Maintain required levels of confidentiality.
• Demonstrate understanding of basic epidemiological terms and methods.
• Willingness to undertake training and participate in continuous professional development.
• Willingness to travel to meetings and training across the region and occasionally beyond.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing environments and priorities.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

Desirable criteria:

• Using computers and database software packages.
• Experience in data management, handling, analysis and reporting.
• Use of some of the following: spreadsheets, databases, GIS, statistical software (e.g. R, Stata, SAS, SPSS).
• Experience of maintaining code using R or an alternative statistical package.
• Working in public health.
• Working in communicable disease surveillance.
• Use of Refman or equivalent and Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Applying for research governance approval.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,624, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,451 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%

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.

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 15 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 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 will longlist into 3 piles of:

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

If longlisting is used, the pile meeting all essential criteria will be proceed to shortlisting.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:

• Educated to degree level in numerate, analytical or science-based subject or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.
• Show sound numeracy skills and a good understanding of data presentation.
• Maintain required levels of confidentiality.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency Based

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at Canary Wharf.

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

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

Interviews dates are 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.

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.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our core HQ in 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)working at our office. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

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

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

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.

Civil Service: Executive Officer (EO)

£32624 - £37737 (Inner London).

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 : Nigel Poole
• Email : Nigel.Poole@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