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About the job
Job summary
For reservists applying for this role, please note the Information Pack attached within this advert must be signed on the final page and sent to UKPHRST@ukhsa.gov.uk prior to submission of any applications. Applications without this signed document will not be considered. The application process should be done separately.
The UK-PHRST reserve cadre will provide surge capacity to the core deployable team. While remaining with their primary employer, UK PHRST Reservists will be available as a source of specialist expertise to support the objectives of the UK-PHRST. Deployments are not generally expected to exceed six weeks in duration or occur more than twice during an 18-month period.
The post holder will be expected to confirm availability to deploy within 24 hours of a request and be able to deploy within one week. They will deploy as part of the response function of the UK PHRST. The post holder will be part of a wider team on deployment and may be asked to act as team leader if needed.
The post holder will require excellent generic public health and health protection skills and have demonstrated specific lead areas of work in IPC or WASH involving partnership working with external organisations.
Applicants should note that this post will be paid on Civil Service Terms and Conditions (T&C) and not be paid on medical T&C or AfC T&C.
If you are interested in this post, we will be running an online event via MS Teams on Wednesday 16 August at 1300 BST. Please see the flyer attached for more details.
Job description
The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) or Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist (Reserve Cadre), as a key member of the multi-disciplinary rapid support team, will provide operational delivery of the expert IPC or WASH response function of the UK-PHRST.
Response
- Provide expert technical advice and support to the country of deployment and the UK-PHRST.
- Establish effective IPC/WASH systems and programmes in the context of the host countries healthcare system and in collaboration with partners as appropriate.
- Assess IPC/WASH capacities and practices during deployment, within healthcare systems and the wider community, using predefined tools or other evidence-based approaches.
- Review IPC/WASH training needs of healthcare workers and the wider community, based on health needs assessment.
- Compile and contribute reports commissioned by organisations, UK-PHRST, WHO, and Ministries of Health as required.
- Conduct monitoring and evaluation of programmes or other outputs, using formal tools or other evidence-based methods.
- Advise on resources, equipment, staffing levels and safe systems of work in order to prevent and prepare for future incidents and outbreaks.
- Maintain accurate record keeping on deployment and ensure a thorough handover procedure is conducted.
Please see the full JD attached for other aspects of the role.
Launched in 2016, the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) is an innovative government-academic partnership funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and co-led by UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), with a consortium of academic and implementing partners in the UK and internationally. It is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of public health professionals and researchers with a novel integrated triple-remit of outbreak response, research and capacity strengthening to prevent and control epidemics of infectious diseases in countries eligible for UK Official Development Assistance (ODA). Both institutes contribute and are responsible for delivery of the UK-PHRST triple mandate across outbreak response, research and capacity strengthening, with LSHTM leading the research programme and UKHSA who lead the outbreak response.
Main duties continued
Partnership Working
- Build and nurture key relationships with a wide range of individuals and stakeholders and take responsibility for the maintenance of professional networks relevant to role.
- Employ highly effective communication, negotiation and influencing skills to enable stakeholder relationships with:
– Internal leaders and staff, to gain input to the development of systems, processes and activities;
– External organisations and wider stakeholders to ensure collaboration in the required response. - Deal with complex and potentially conflicting subject matter problems on a daily basis, in meetings, one-to-one communications and other events, across various parts of the programme.
Teaching and Training
- Develop and deliver evidence-based teaching resources and activities on Infection Prevention and Control for colleagues, partners and other audiences as required.
- Contribute to training programmes for in-country staff, UK-PHRST and to the training of public health and health care professionals and practitioners across theatres of engagement.
- Provide clinical / professional supervision and mentorship as appropriate.
- Ensure appropriate evaluation mechanisms are in place, including feedback, audit and lessons learnt.
Management and Leadership
- Lead and coordinate the defined areas of work as agreed with the UK-PHRST Director and IPC team lead.
- Direct, design and undertake audit as part of a wider programme of governance and quality/service improvement activity across the deployed area.
- Lead the development of policies and protocols within your technical area in conjunction with team members.
- Contribute to proactive and responsive media issues.
- Delegate responsibility where appropriate, using a range of leadership approaches and skills.
Other Duties
- The above is only 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.
Person specification
Essential criteria
- Masters level, or higher degree in a related subject, or evidence of CPD accredited points equivalent to masters level practice
- Recognised qualification in IPC/WASH or demonstrable equivalent experience
- Extensive experience in a health protection/ IPC role at a senior level with specialist knowledge and expertise in IPC/WASH both nationally and internationally
- Highly effective verbal, written and presentation communications skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Ability to interpret, analyse and disseminate complex and/or sensitive information in a concise yet insightful way, pre-empting and evaluating issues and recommending appropriate course of action(s) to large and influential groups
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office including Word, and Excel
- Evidence of ongoing commitment to Continuing Professional Development and willing to share experience with others to influence practice
- Ability to prioritise own work effectively as well as the ability to direct activities of others including managing and motivating a team and providing professional supervision
- Must be prepared to travel and able to work in austere environments and ability to work in harsh conditions, often in remote areas
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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 criteria
- Registered General Nurse, medical professional or allied health care professional with current professional registration e.g. NMC, GMC
- Experience of leading and maintaining quality and clinical governance frameworks such as the WHO tools for IPC/WASH in healthcare
- Experience of developing and delivering training programmes on a wide range of topics to trainees, pre and post registration
- Ability to communicate (speak/read) at a working level in other languages, such as French, Portuguese, and/or Arabic
- Proven ability to build trusted stakeholder relationships networks in a politically sensitive and/or changing environment and ability to handle challenging issues pro-actively with problem solving
Benefits
- 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 average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy will be assessed using a competency- based framework which will assess qualifications, knowledge and experience, skills and capabilities, other and equality and diversity against those outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1 – Application and Sift
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability in no more than 1250 words. This should outline how you consider your skills, knowledge and experience meet the essential criteria; providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined.
Please note the system will allow you to write up to 1500 words but please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in sifting process.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Stage 2 – Interview
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single video interview and will be assessed on the essential criteria as advertised.
Location
This role will be based at Canary Wharf.
UKHSA offers hybrid working for its employees Any opportunities for informal hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. This will be determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policies for flexible working.
As part of this role you will be required to work some weekends and nights (only if required the average deployment is 6 weeks)
This role includes some business travel to overseas locations. Business travel from base location to required location will be covered under the UKHSA Travel and Expenses policy.
Security Clearance level requirement
People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must be willing to undergo National Security Vetting whilst in-post. The level of security needed is Security Check (SC).
Working for your 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.
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.ukIf 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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Grace Clark
- Email : recruitmentteam4@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitmentteam4@ukhsa.gov.uk
