Job summary
- Main area
- Clinical and Public Health Response
- Grade
- Civil Service: Grade 7
- Contract
- Fixed term: 11 months (Until 31-Mar-2025)
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 919-LO-50003593-EXT
- Employer
- UK Health Security Agency
- Employer type
- Public (Non NHS)
- Site
- Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London
- Town
- London
- Salary
- £51,824 - £65,089 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 23/05/2024 23:59
Employer heading
Principal Evidence Reviewer
Civil Service: Grade 7
Job overview
The purpose of this role is to lead a series of rapid evidence reviews and knowledge mobilisation activities to support the provision of evidence-informed public health advice and guidance.
You will:
- lead a small review team, using systematic and rapid review methodologies including screening of studies, data extraction, critical appraisal and evidence synthesis
- You and your team will produce reviews and other outputs across a range of review topics based on identified priorities, using software such as Endnote, Rayaan and Microsoft Teams. The team will work both to agreed priorities and responsively, and timeframes for completing reviews will vary from several days to several weeks
- work on methodological developments (for example, developing critical appraisal tools) and lead the development and use of strategies to support the translation of evidence, for example providing tailored evidence messages, and producing evidence summaries – ensuring that outputs are timely and useful
- also support others wishing to produce or commission evidence reviews, sharing tools, methods and guiding the production of robust and standardised outputs
- work matrix style with colleagues working on the provision of advice and guidance, both nationally and locally, and with external partners involved in evidence synthesis work.
Main duties of the job
The main duties of the job include to:
- Lead the delivery of rapid evidence reviews and other outputs, ensuring they are appropriately planned, delivered on time, to high quality standards and in an efficient manner
- Work with colleagues in advice, guidance or policy roles to identify priority topics and develop answerable questions
- Establish and work within a standardised process to produce rapid evidence reviews and other outputs, such as evidence summaries and briefings
- Ensure the quality of work through internal and external quality assurance processes, including (but not limited to) internal quality assurance processes and independent peer review
- Lead the publication of rapid evidence reviews, working with the communications team and guidance colleagues and including publishing in peer review journals
- Ensure that evidence is provided in a timely and useful manner, whilst also being robust and transparent
- Ensure that research gaps are identified and shared to support the generation of new evidence
- Lead the engagement of expert and topic advisors in evidence review processes, and initiate advisory groups if necessary
- Develop and implement standardised rapid review methodologies that can be used across the organisation
- Develop mechanisms to gather user feedback and use this to improve the quality and usability of outputs
- Provide support and advice to others working on evidence reviews, and ensure the methodological quality of their work
Working for our organisation
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- Develop and implement tools and resources (including capacity building) to support others working on rapid evidence reviews
- Ensure adequate consideration of inequalities is built into all evidence review work
- Share information and conduct regular communication with partners as appropriate and report on progress to relevant governance groups
Other
- There may be line management responsibility for SEO and HEO posts.
- The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Essential criteria
- Educated to first degree level or equivalent relevant experience
- Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience in an appropriate scientific or technical specialist area relevant to the role
- Knowledge and experience in conducting systematic or rapid evidence reviews using appropriate methods and tools
- Critical and analytical scientific skills, including scientific literature reviewing and experience of applying basic epidemiological and statistical knowledge
- Understanding of quality assurance procedures and working to best practice processes
- Experience of project management and an appreciation that tasks are expected to be delivered at pace, with competing priorities but always delivered in an assured and professional manner
- Experience of managing others
- Prioritise own work effectively and to direct activities of others, including responding to sudden or unexpected demands
- Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables
- Excellent communication skills (written/oral) – strong written skills to summarise scientific issues for scientific and lay audiences; strong oral skills to represent the team in a range of settings
- Plans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances
- Skilled at building and managing relationships with internal and external colleagues
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of public health and the role of evidence in public health decision making
- Understanding and/or experience of working in the NHS and/or a political environment (e,g. local or national government
- 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.
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 capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- CV/ Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1500 words Statement of Suitability.
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.
The CV and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
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 Technical Test, assessment, and a Presentation, with instructions provided in advance.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location information
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 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 your core location -Hybrid / Any core UKHSA location (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London) . For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.
Working for the Civil Service:
The Civil Service Code 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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
It’s important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:
- life sentences
- arson
- sexual offences
- hate and terror offences
Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role.
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 .
Starting salary
Entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.
Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Educated to first degree level or equivalent relevant experience
- Post-graduate degree or equivalent experience in an appropriate scientific or technical specialist area relevant to the role
Knowledge and experience
Essential criteria
- Knowledge and experience in conducting systematic or rapid evidence reviews using appropriate methods and
- Critical and analytical scientific skills, including scientific literature reviewing and experience of applying basic epidemiological and statistical knowledge
- Understanding of quality assurance procedures and working to best practice processes
- Experience of project management and an appreciation that tasks are expected to be delivered at pace, with competing priorities but always delivered in an assured and professional manner
- Experience of managing others
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of public health and the role of evidence in public health decision making
- Understanding and/or experience of working in the NHS and/or a political environment (e,g. local or national government)
Skills / capabilities/ behaviours
Essential criteria
- Prioritise own work effectively and to direct activities of others, including responding to sudden or unexpected demands
- Must be able to use initiative to decide relevant actions and make recommendations to Manager, with the aim of improving deliverables
- Excellent communication skills (written/oral) – strong written skills to summarise scientific issues for scientific and lay audiences; strong oral skills to represent the team in a range of settings
- Plans and organises a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances
- Skilled at building and managing relationships with internal and external colleagues
Equality and diversity
Desirable criteria
- 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.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Lami Olayiwola
- Job title
- Resourcing
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Additional information
For enquires about your application please contact recruitment team [email protected], for enquiries about the role please contact [email protected]
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