Consultant Epidemiologist - Emerging Infections in London

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) prevents, prepares for and responds to infectious diseases, and environmental hazards, to keep all our communities safe, save lives and protect livelihoods. We provide scientific and operational leadership, working with local, national and international partners to protect the public’s health and build the nation’s health security capability. UKHSA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.

This post is located within the UKHSA Epidemic and Emerging Infections (EEI) Directorate within the Chief Medical Adviser (CMA) Group providing clinical and public health leadership through expert advice, guidance, epidemiological insights and evidence. The Emerging Infections and Zoonoses team is part of TARZET division (TB, respiratory, zoonoses, emerging infections, travel health, rare and imported pathogens genomics public health analysis) within the EEI directorate and is responsible for public health expertise in emerging infections, high consequence infectious diseases, zoonoses and epidemic intelligence. EIZ collaborate with various teams across UKHSA, work closely with the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, the NHS, APHA academic and other cross-government colleagues on national systems for the preparedness, detection and response to emerging infections, zoonoses and high consequence infectious diseases, and provide a secretariat function for the Human Animal Infection Risk Surveillance Group (HAIRS). This post will provide expert leadership across the emerging infections and zoonoses portfolio at a national level with a focus on epidemic intelligence and emerging infections. They will be responsible for proactive and reactive national and international level epidemiology, horizon scanning and risk assessment for novel, emerging, zoonotic and high consequence pathogens.

The postholder will be responsible for strengthening UKHSA's epidemic intelligence capability through the development of rapid risk assessment methodologies, and the application of artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to horizon scanning and early warning systems in collaboration with UKHSA data and analytics teams. Within this role the postholder will routinely collaborate with teams within UKHSA and across Government and with other key partners, including academic and international organisations to support preparedness and response activities. The postholder will have strong technical knowledge and skills and be able to operate effectively across the system at a senior level.

Surveillance and Prevention Monitoring

Develop and utilise information and intelligence systems to underpin public health action across disciplines and organisations. Lead the development and implementation of innovative approaches to epidemic intelligence, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced analytics methods for horizon scanning, signal detection and risk assessment in partnership with the Chief Data Officer Group. Provide strategic leadership for the evaluation, validation and operational implementation of AI-enabled tools within epidemic intelligence workflows.

Detailed job description and main responsibilitiesOutbreak support and Epidemiological Investigations

Lead multidisciplinary Incident Management teams and contribute to a range of national and international outbreak responses. Lead on the technical and analytical aspects of epidemiological outbreak investigations including advising on study design, writing protocols for analytical studies, questionnaire development and study database development, and preparing outbreak reports in collaboration with UKHS field epidemiology services, and other data and analytics teams as necessary. Supporting responses to outbreaks and incidents with implications for public health in the UK through provision of evidence-based advice and guidance on emerging infections.

Leadership and Management

Lead preparedness activities relating to emerging infections, zoonoses and high consequence infectious diseases, including public health advice and guidance and epidemic intelligence. Lead the development, standardisation and continuous improvement of rapid risk assessment methodologies for emerging infectious disease threats, ensuring outputs support timely decision-making across UKHSA and Government. Provide senior oversight of national and international rapid risk assessments for novel, emerging, zoonotic and high consequence pathogens. Strengthen strategic collaboration between the Emerging Infections and Zoonoses team and the Chief Data Officer Group. Liaison with other government departments and organisations working on emerging infections, including NHS England, the High consequence Infectious Diseases network, FCDO, MOD, and the devolved administrations. Expert support to scientific advisory committees as required, including the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens. Ensure secretariat support to HAIRS.

Research and Development

Oversight of the production of peer reviewed publications on emerging infections topics. Proactively engage with academic and international partners to develop the research evidence base required to support the control of communicable disease in these specialist areas, both initiating and collaborating with research as appropriate and linking with relevant academic institutions.

Teaching and Training

Deliver teaching for a variety of individuals, institutions and stakeholders as required regarding emerging infections and zoonoses. Providing project supervision for Speciality Registrars, trainees on the Field Epidemiology Trainee Programme, Clinical fellows and other trainees on attachment at Colindale. Contribute to competency development and assessment in health protection for the health protection workforce.

Other duties

Contribute to the provision of appropriate rotas, which may include the epidemic and emerging infections duty consultant rota, the international health regulations rota, or other clinical or incident response rotas dependent on specialist experience and CMA group needs. The postholder may, with their agreement (which should not reasonably be withheld), be required: to undertake other duties as required, which fall within the grading of this post, to meet the needs of TARZET. to deputise and cover as necessary for colleagues during annual leave, study leave and other absences.

Professional Development

Identify, discuss, and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal and personal development plans. Attending internal external training events in line with professional development needs and in relation to the role. Participate in all mandatory training as required by the organisation.

Management Arrangements

A detailed job plan will be agreed between the post holder and the line manager which will be reviewed annually. The job plan and the job description will be subject to review in consultation with the post holder in the light of the needs of the employing organisation and the development of the speciality of public health and any wider developments in the field of public health. The Consultant will: Be expected to take on the line management of some staff. Where line management responsibilities are agreed, this will include recruitment, appraisals, disciplinary and grievance responsibilities. Manage budgets as agreed with the Deputy Director and/or head of team. Be a visible, positive leader and role model and demonstrating high professional standards. Actively identify, lead and contribute to quality improvement and governance initiatives in line with strategic direction of the Unit. Contribute to proactive and responsive media issues. Proactively contribute to wider organisational development. Be prepared to take on wider national roles and represent the UKHSA in discussions with government departments, agencies and professional groups as appropriate to individual expertise and experience and when requested by the Deputy Director – TARZET. Will be expected to contribute to the UKHSA response during incidents in line with UKHSAs Emergency Planning Resilience and Response (EPRR) arrangements. Supervise Specialty Registrars in Public Health or other specialties.

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.
• Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours).
• Generous maternity/paternity and adoption leave package.

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.