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Job summary

The Pathogen Diagnostic Assurance Group (PDAG) contributes to the UK’s testing abilities to support the UK Government’s ongoing response to COVID-19 and other pathogens.

PDAGs is responsible assurance that assays being used in the UK can detect the variants of SARS CoV-2 and other pathogens in circulation. Currently the role focuses on molecular and antigen tests on the market but may extend to novel technologies in development.
The role will lead in developing and implementing the bioinformatics and public health informatics strategy for Pathogen Diagnostics and:

• To lead, develop and support strategies for bioinformatics and informatics approaches, following guidance from senior management, to provide programmatic bioinformatics expertise, to improve capability, to improve information dissemination to internal and external stakeholders. To have the ability to translate strategic and operational vision into reality through providing technical solutions and to manage junior bioinformatics staff.
• To be responsible for the planning and organisation of scientific computer systems through requirements analysis, functional specification, implementation, deployment and testing. This is achieved through interaction with the appropriate UKHSA and external staff.
• To provide technical expertise and expert advice and guidance, in bioinformatics and Information systems/services related to the requirements for specific Departments
• To provide expert and specialist advice to UKHSA and external staff on scientific and technical solutions for bioinformatics related to projects.
• To coordinate support activities across the PDAG bioinformatics services.
• To be responsible for the development and maintenance of the pathogen WGS analysis pipelines. To develop a strategy for updating methods of pipeline delivery, with particular reference to ensuring business continuity.
• To be responsible for the development, implementation and management of analytical tools for PDAG. Tasks will include the development of database and related tools for data retrieval, manipulation, analysis and visualisation.
• To contribute to the long-term strategic planning of the above functions, in line with the strategic direction, working practices and policies of the NIS Core Bioinformatics Unit.
• To provide line management to a small team of SEO bioinformaticians.

Job description

Main Duties

• To be responsible for the bioinformatics components of the PDAG Service. Tasks in this area include the development and maintenance of the pathogen WGS analysis pipelines, and their supporting infrastructure, ensuring the timely delivery of outputs
• To be responsible for the co-ordination, development and support of specific analysis tools and systems, and to be responsible for the planning and organisation of other online resources and computer systems, as appropriate, through requirements analysis, functional specification, implementation, deployment and testing. This is achieved through interaction with the appropriate UKHSA and external staff
• To ensure that high quality and responsive support activities are provided by the PDAG and bioinformatics team
• To be responsible for the project management of PDAG projects and to maintain technical documentation. To be responsible for the secure storage, password management and retrieval of sensitive data related to these projects (in line with the policies of the Core Bioinformatics Unit, ICT and the UKHSA)
• To support and progress UKAS accreditation by working with the Quality Team to ensure that appropriate quality standards are met, and where necessary defined, and that documentation and processes are effectively followed by all relevant staff
  Writing and distributing regular project update reports and to provide training and deliver presentations as required
• To take part in UKHSA bioinformatics training and support programmes
• To liaise with scientific and IT staff of external organisations involved in molecular surveillance of pathogens
  Any other duties within the framework of the job grade

Please note the above list is not exhaustive.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include;InternalScientific Advisors, Corporate Teams, including HR, Finance, Commercial, Science Directorate, PHCO, Incident Management Team and across the wider UKHSAExternalMHRA, NHS, Product Manufacturers

Person specification

Essential Criteria
• University degree and higher degree in Bioinformatics/computer Science or Life Sciences
• Significant professional experience developing and implementing bioinformatics solutions for microbiology
• Experience of managing/analysing large volumes of NGS data
• Evidence of management, supervisory and team building skills
• Ability to communicate complex and technical knowledge and ideas to non specialist users
• Proven skills in database design, architecture, and implementation on a variety of platforms
• High level of proficiency with linux/unix operating systems
• Proven skills in programming languages e.g Python, JAVA, C++ and versioning software (git)
• Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner
• Able to analyse and evaluate scientific data based on evidence
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Desirable role criteria
• Training skills
• Knowledge of Public Health microbiology

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 (opens in a new window).

• 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 Details (Success Profiles)
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Experience and Behaviours.

Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 11 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1250 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. (Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must 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 1250 words. Please do not exceed 1250 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 used, the pile ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

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

• University degree and higher degree in Bioinformatics/computer Science or Life Sciences
• Experience of managing/analysing large volumes of NGS data
• Proven skills in programming languages e.g Python, JAVA, C++ and versioning software (git)

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.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview
Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a single remote interview. Behaviours will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
• Delivering at Pace (lead behaviour)
• Leadership
• Working together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving

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.

Additional Information

Location
This role is being offered as remote working.

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 Baseline Personnel Security Standard.

Eligibility Criteria
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.

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

Grade 7
• £56,185- £66,581 (National)
• £58,340- £68,574 (Outer London)
• £60,494- £70,566 (Inner London)

Qualifications and Registrations

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.

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

For Fixed Term Posts

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 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 UKHSA’s pay policy.

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 : Tom Geldeard
• Email : Tom.Geldeard@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk