Job vacancy: Risk Communications & Community Engagement & Social Science Specialist, UK Health Security Agency, Canary Wharf, London

Job summary

Main area: Risk Communications
Grade: Civil Service: Grade 7
Contract: 5 months (Bank contract till 31/03/2026 (potential to be extended beyond this date))
Hours: Flexible working - 0 hours per week (bank contract (0 hours))
Job ref: 919-GB-309910-EXT

Employer: UK Health Security Agency
Employer type: Public (Non NHS)
Site: Canary Wharf HQ
Town: Canary Wharf, London
Salary: £60,494 - £70,566 per annum, pro rata
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 11/11/2025 23:59

Risk Communications & Community Engagement & Social Science Specialist

Civil Service: Grade 7

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities continued:

Outbreak Response

• Provide support on outbreak response activities for the country of deployment and the UK- PHRST for risk communication and community engagement activities, and the collection and analysis of operational social science data.
• Lead and/or contribute to the design, development, and implementation of targeted interventions (informed by community engagement, rapid social science research, community feedback data and appropriate theoretical approaches), to assist with outbreak management and reduce spread of disease either nationally or in specific, affected areas.
• Lead and/or contribute to the development, elaboration and implementation of the risk communication and community engagement plan, ensuring this is underpinned by robust operational social science research, as part of outbreak response operations
• Ensure that rapid social science research, including analysis of community feedback data, is disseminated to other response pillars (e.g. surveillance, case management etc.) and used to inform decision making across the response
• Identify and develop strong partnerships with key stakeholders - community groups, leaders and other partners in the community and civil society - for collaborative and participatory approaches to intervention design and implementation to stop disease transmission
• Liaise closely with local and regional counterparts for risk communication and social science (such as the Collective Service, or the Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform) ensuring coherence of strategy, materials and messages. Ensure that technical material produced by the response locally integrates community engagement principles and practice.
• Support management of outbreak priorities and activities with social science evidence-based advice, in line with outbreak response needs.
• Provide additional support to the development, implementation and evaluation of social and behavioural science components within the national outbreak response (e.g., revisions to guidance documentation, advising on national intervention design and implementation).
• Support response in affected countries to reduce the impact of the outbreak, including scoping the need for further support and research.
• Work on sustainable RCCE and operational social science plans. Projects conducted by RCCE/Social Science UK-PHRST should aim to be sustainable even after the end of deployment.
• Support inter-agency coordination efforts for the risk communication and community engagement pillar to ensure harmonization of tools and approaches as well as information sharing amongst key stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development, strengthening and application of social data collection for risk communications and community engagement interventions, as well as for other pillars of the operation.
• Support cross-pillar coordination efforts, information sharing, and the design and implementation of integrated outbreak response approaches.
• Liaise with appropriate national and regional counterparts to integrate findings from knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) surveys, ethnographic studies, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, observation and other feedback from community engagement activities into operational decision-making platforms.
• During deployments or as part of capacity strengthening, train partner staff on RCCE and operational social science components (e.g. establishing community feedback mechanisms, developing social listening skills)

Management

• Actively engage in meetings with internal and external colleagues.
• Identify and seek to resolve potential problems.
• Be responsible for managing own workload, including developing objectives and reviewing progress against these.
• Comply with UKHSA Information Governance standards, including understanding the ethical, legal and technical obligations for protection of personal patient information
• Line management as necessary within the team

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
Undergo pre-deployment training and other appropriate training courses as required by members of the deployable UK-PHRST.
Pursue other statutory and mandatory training, in accordance with UK-HSA requirements.
Participate in the organisation’s staff appraisal scheme and departmental audit as appropriate.
To actively manage and support the development of individuals and the team through appraisal, personal development planning, coaching and mentoring.
To be aware of Civil Service, WHO and UN competencies and to be working to them as appropriate.

Other Duties

The above is an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The post holder will carry out additional duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate, with appropriate training as required.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization and programme.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Essential role criteria:

• MSc or PhD in Social and Behavioural Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Education, Communication, Public Relations or another relevant Public Health Communications related field
• Knowledge of current developments in risk communication and community engagement and/or in operational social science in outbreaks or other public health emergencies
• Proven experience of qualitative data collection for rapid assessments, operational research, social data research and analysis, including participatory and qualitative methods, with proficiency in qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo, supported by peer-reviewed publications.
• Proven experience in the development and implementation of RCCE and rapid social science strategies and plans in LMICs
• Experience of delivering training and/or capacity development in risk communications, community engagement, health promotion, operational social science or communication for international development.
• Experience of providing effective project and people management.
• Able to apply risk communications/community engagement principles and concepts in acute emergency settings in LMICs
• Highly effective verbal, written and presentation communications skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
• Able to build and maintain effective relationships with co- workers and key stakeholders both in the UK and overseas
• 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 and working with multi-ethnic and multi-cultural teams.

Desirable role criteria:
• Understanding of information governance, data protection issues and data confidentially requirements.
• Ability to communicate (speak/read) at a working level in a second language (other than English), such as French, Portuguese, or Arabic.

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 (11) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
up to 1250 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.

The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

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

The following will be taken through to the next stage:

Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

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

Proven experience in the development and implementation of RCCE and rapid social science strategies and plans in LMICs

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

Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

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.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) remote interview.

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

Eligibility Criteria - External 

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

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Core HQ in Canary Wharf, London.

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). 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).

Security Clearance Level Requirement 

Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Security Check (SC) clearance.

You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC)clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential criteria

Application form and statement of suitability

Essential Criteria

Essential criteria

Questions on experience, knowledge and skills

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Link below:

Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers

This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.

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

For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.

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. 

Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.

Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.

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 equality of opportunity. 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:  [email protected] 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 here.

Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.

The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.

Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.

If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

 Benefits of working at UKHSA include:

Generous annual leave:
-26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
-28 days after 5 years of continuous service
-32 days after 10 years of continuous service
-Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday
Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.

Hybrid Working

UKHSA operates 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 usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.

Disability Confident Scheme

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview.   If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.

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 take into account 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 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.

Security Vetting

Please check the Security Clearance needed for the role and follow the link for more information:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

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.