Job summary
The UK Field Epidemiology Training Programme (UKFETP) is a full-time, competency based 2-year specialist postgraduate training programme. The programme is aimed at medical, scientific, veterinary or nursing staff who are, or whose future career may be, in a post involving field investigation and epidemiology and who want to further enhance their specialist skills. The programme provides training and experience to develop the core competencies agreed for field epidemiologists in the United Kingdom and in the European Union (EU). For further information about the programme, please review the prospectus or contact the team.
Prior to completing the application, please review the instructions on how to complete as this will greatly increase your chance of being selected for interview.
Main duties of the job
Training is provided mainly on the job with at least ten percent of time dedicated to formally taught training courses. Fellows will be based in an UKFETP training location for the two-year fellowship. The training locations include national public health centres in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or local UKHSA teams. Fellows are expected to relocate for the duration of the training programme.
In order to conduct the main duties of the fellowship, you are required to be educated to Master's level, preferably in Epidemiology or Public Health (or equivalent) and have demonstrable experience of working within public health, health protection or epidemiology. You will be an excellent team member and have an understanding of public health systems in your country of work. You will be familiar with analysis, interpretation and presentation of scientific data. You will be able to demonstrate how the UKFETP could be of value to your future career.
About us
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsibilities of the role are detailed in the attached job description. Other expectations are detailed below.
Relocation: Individuals currently contracted by UKHSA and working in a UKFETP training site are expected to relocate to an alternate site for the duration of the programme. However, consideration will be given for extenuating circumstances.
Sites: Different training sites are available each year on a rotational basis. The location of the training placement for each individual will be determined after interview based on the fellows learning needs and work interests, and on performance at interview.
Full time: The fellowship must be completed full time.
Travel: Training within or outside the UK may necessitate week-long residential stays. Fellows may also have the opportunity to undertake national projects and international missions.
Previous FETP: We would not consider applications from those that have already completed an FETP programme.
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Applicants are strongly advised to read the instructions on How To Complete The Application and use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.
For further details relating to this post, please refer to the accompanying Job Description and Person Specification and the UKHSA website on Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP).
Successful applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start date (13 September 2023). The UKFETP cannot provide sponsorship.
For an informal discussion, please contact the UKFETP office at fetp@ukhsa.gov.uk.
Please note
Invitations to interview will be sent out in early May 2023. Interviews will be held in central London between 23-25 May 2023. Successful candidates will begin the programme on 13th September 2023.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Responsibilities of the role are detailed in the attached job description. Other expectations are detailed below.
Relocation: Individuals currently contracted by UKHSA and working in a UKFETP training site are expected to relocate to an alternate site for the duration of the programme. However, consideration will be given for extenuating circumstances.
Sites: Different training sites are available each year on a rotational basis. The location of the training placement for each individual will be determined after interview based on the fellows learning needs and work interests, and on performance at interview.
Full time: The fellowship must be completed full time.
Travel: Training within or outside the UK may necessitate week-long residential stays. Fellows may also have the opportunity to undertake national projects and international missions.
Previous FETP: We would not consider applications from those that have already completed an FETP programme.
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Applicants are strongly advised to read the instructions on How To Complete The Application and use the criteria in the Person Specification of the Job Description as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.
For further details relating to this post, please refer to the accompanying Job Description and Person Specification and the UKHSA website on Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP).
Successful applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start date (13 September 2023). The UKFETP cannot provide sponsorship.
For an informal discussion, please contact the UKFETP office at fetp@ukhsa.gov.uk.
Please note
Invitations to interview will be sent out in early May 2023. Interviews will be held in central London between 23-25 May 2023. Successful candidates will begin the programme on 13th September 2023.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters' degree or PhD in a scientific discipline with a significant health (human or animal), public health, epidemiology or data analysis component
- A minimum of four years supervised experience in Public Health, Epidemiology or Health Protection at the time of application.
- For Public Health Specialist registrars ONLY Completion of exams required as part of specialist training, e.g., Parts A and B of the Faculty of Public Health examination.
Desirable
- For applicants without a masters' degree Two first author peer reviewed publications on an epidemiological / health protection topic
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working within Public Health, Health Protection or epidemiology for at least 18 months by the date of application deadline
- Experience of interpreting and evaluating data in response to an evolving situation or incident response
- Experience of managing data, undertaking basic analysis and presenting information in reports and presentations
Desirable
- Experience of audit/evaluation or research activities
Skills, Capabilities and Behaviours
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Able to make sense of complex information and imperfect data to draw meaningful conclusions
- Be able to demonstrate a keen interest in applied epidemiology, such as evidenced by career progression and/or CPD to date.
- Be able to demonstrate how the UKFETP will be of benefit to them and their career path
- Be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for being in a learner role and receiving supervision and feedback
Desirable
- Able to undertake statistical analysis of epidemiological or health datasets
Equality and Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters' degree or PhD in a scientific discipline with a significant health (human or animal), public health, epidemiology or data analysis component
- A minimum of four years supervised experience in Public Health, Epidemiology or Health Protection at the time of application.
- For Public Health Specialist registrars ONLY Completion of exams required as part of specialist training, e.g., Parts A and B of the Faculty of Public Health examination.
Desirable
- For applicants without a masters' degree Two first author peer reviewed publications on an epidemiological / health protection topic
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working within Public Health, Health Protection or epidemiology for at least 18 months by the date of application deadline
- Experience of interpreting and evaluating data in response to an evolving situation or incident response
- Experience of managing data, undertaking basic analysis and presenting information in reports and presentations
Desirable
- Experience of audit/evaluation or research activities
Skills, Capabilities and Behaviours
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Able to make sense of complex information and imperfect data to draw meaningful conclusions
- Be able to demonstrate a keen interest in applied epidemiology, such as evidenced by career progression and/or CPD to date.
- Be able to demonstrate how the UKFETP will be of benefit to them and their career path
- Be able to demonstrate an enthusiasm for being in a learner role and receiving supervision and feedback
Desirable
- Able to undertake statistical analysis of epidemiological or health datasets
Equality and Diversity
Essential
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
