Information Scientist

The purpose of the role is to contribute to the management and development of UKHSA’s knowledge and evidence services in support of UKHSA business needs, with specific responsibility for providing embedded library and knowledge management expertise for Clinical and Public Health (CPH). This will include working closely with Evidence Reviewers in the CPH team and the related evidence team within Science. The post holder will be positioned with the Evidence team within CPH.
Your role will include literature searching (scoping of review evidence, development of search strategies for rapid reviews), use of various databases and online evidence sources, screening (including use of software tools), review protocol development, helping to answer enquiries and production of subject-specific alerts. You will conduct training for team members on use of software such as Rayyan and Endnote. You will also collaborate with the Science evidence team and liaise with the Senior Information Scientist from UKHSA Knowledge and Library Services to prevent duplication of effort and ensure consistency in standards., + To provide specialist information science subject expertise for clinical public health, where evidence and reviews relating to incidents or outbreaks (e.g. COVID-19, monkey pox etc) will be prioritised
+ Provide a dedicated enquiry and literature searching service to the CPH evidence team
+ Support the local dissemination and tailoring of subject-specific alerts, including keeping up-to-date with relevant information sources and resources
+ Provide support to CPH evidence team for bibliographic reference management to improve evidence and information management, including training where appropriate
+ Support the maintenance of local contribution web presence where appropriate and ensure evidence-based content is up to date, liaising with UKHSA Digital team to ensure consistency with Government Digital Services guidelines.
+ To contribute to the development of induction, training programmes and information literacy skills for members of the CPH evidence team
+ Build relationships and liaise with UKHSA Knowledge and Library Services (KLS)
+ Evaluate new information sources in specific topic areas of relevance to knowledge and information, negotiating access where appropriate, and promoting them to ensure their efficient exploitation.
General
+ To contribute to the continual review of CPH evidence team, undertaking user surveys and audits as necessary, and action planning from the feedback received
+ To liaise with KLS to ensure access to electronic resources, and to resolve access or authentication issues
+ To ensure that CPH evidence team activities conform with the principles of Data Protection and Copyright Legislation
Other
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.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
+ Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.
+ To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
Attend KLS information science group meetings, and other professional activity and working groups
+ You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
+ an Application Form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
+ a 1,250 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how 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 separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the lead criteria of: Experience of using health care or scientific resources, including excellent information retrieval skills, using a variety of platforms
Please note that candidates in the Disability Confident Scheme will be shortlisted if you meet the minimum essential criteria
Late applications will not be considered.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Please do not exceed 1,250 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 remote interview where you will be tested on your knowledge, experience, skills & abilities.
There will be a presentation on the day of your interview; further detail will follow in due course., 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 it could be time accrued over that period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
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
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

A postgraduate qualification in a KIM related discipline such as knowledge management, records management, library and information studies, information rights, information science or information management, including those which have been accredited by CILIP or ARA
Knowledge and Experience
+ Demonstrable relevant experience in an NHS, academic or research library, information science or knowledge management professional role
+ Experience of using health care or scientific resources, including excellent information retrieval skills, using a variety of platforms
+ Experience of computerised library and knowledge management systems and resource platforms
+ Experience in providing user education in information literacy and evidence-based practice, including critical appraisal skills
+ Knowledge of factors involved in provision of electronic journals & resources, and Web 2.0 developments and services
+ Experience of implementing knowledge management solutions
Skills and Capabilities
+ Excellent verbal & written communication skills
+ Ability to meet deadlines & prioritise workload for self and others
+ Skills in project management such as planning, co-ordination & organisation
+ User focused approach to service delivery
Equality and Diversity
+ 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

This role is being offered as hybrid working. 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) working at one of
UKHSA's core HQ’s (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and London).
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
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 consider 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.

Alongside your salary of £40,661, UK Health Security Agency contributes £11,779 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ 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 employer contribution of 28.97%