Antimicrobial resistance is a significant health challenge globally and, in the UK, making it a public health priority for agencies like UKHSA. 

The Primary Care and Interventions Unit (PCIU) looks to improve how common infections are prevented and managed in the community and in healthcare systems so that we can reduce antimicrobial resistance and improve health outcomes.

Through research and collaboration with key stakeholders, including representatives across national health services, policy makers and academic institutions, the Unit develops resources healthcare staff can use to improve antimicrobial stewardship in their practices.

The Unit also collaborates with teachers, educational providers, and the public to raise awareness of issues like antimicrobial resistance, respiratory and hand hygiene, and ways to prevent common infections. Through this, the Unit publishes lesson plans and resources that target children and young people across the education system and in the community.

As a Research Project Support Officer, you will support and co-ordinate research and resource development or review projects within the PCIU programme workstreams. These include the TARGET antibiotics toolkit (Treat Antibiotics Responsibly, Guidance, Education, and Tools) TARGET antibiotics and the international e-Bug programme (www.e-bug.eu). Research projects will focus on healthcare, including pharmacies, general practice and care homes, and school settings.

This role will contribute to all aspects of a research project, from protocol development through to analysing the research findings and authoring peer reviewed publications. The research that underpins the work of the PCIU is frequently published in academic journals and presented at well-known conferences, allowing team members to further professional development goals and contribute to our national and global understanding of antimicrobial resistance.

Location

This role will be Twyver House, Gloucester GL1 1DQ with Hybrid working

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

HCAI, Fungal, AMR, AMU & Sepsis Division

This post is within the Healthcare Associated Infection, Fungal, Antimicrobial Resistance, Antimicrobial Utilisation & Sepsis Division (Clinical & Public Health group) of UKHSA. The mission of the division is to protect people from healthcare-associated and antimicrobial resistant infections, through world-leading public health microbiology, outbreak response, surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, modelling, research and interventions.

Primary Care and Interventions Unit

The Primary Care and Interventions Unit (PCIU) are responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating interventions for primary health care workers and the broader community to promote behaviour change on infection prevention and control, using antimicrobials appropriately and antimicrobial stewardship. Our work contributes to the Government’s Ambitions to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance, including the UK AMR 20 year vision and the 5-year National Action Plan (NAP) 2019-2024. The unit works closely with general practices, care homes, pharmacies, schools, community groups, the public, professional societies, commissioning organisations, and universities to produces resources for health providers, the general public and schools and conducts research to inform and evaluate its interventions. Example of this can be seen on the http://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical-and-research/resources/toolkits/target-antibiotic-toolkit.aspx and http://www.e-bug.eu/ websites.

Main Duties:

As a Research Project Support Officer, you will be required to support and co-ordinate research and educational projects within the Primary Care and Interventions Unit. These include the TARGET (Treat Antibiotics Responsibly, Guidance, Education, Tools) and the international e-Bug project. The research projects will be based in healthcare, including pharmacies, general practice and care homes, and school settings. Projects will be in the areas of antimicrobial resistance, UTI and other areas of public health priority to UKHSA. You will be involved in all aspects of a research project, from protocol development through to analysing the research findings and analysis of large public survey data sets. Applicants will have a science or healthcare related degree and should be enthusiastic, well-motivated and able to work as part of a collaborative research and project teams

The post will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to use and develop project management skills and a large range of research skills, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. It is expected that you will undergo higher level/advanced training in research methodologies and/or project management.

You will be eager to take on new challenges and have the motivation to succeed. Other key skills should include the ability to work to deadlines, flexibility, commitment to high standards and the ability to work as part of a team.

You will have some experience in project management within a health care, or research (involving primary care) setting and in the use of MS Office packages and analytical software (e.g. Epidata/Nvivo); experience of collating, analysing and reporting data and communicating research findings through publications and presentations. Experience in community healthcare, infections and analysis of large data sets will be an advantage. You will be educated to MSc degree level in microbiological sciences, public health and/or research or equivalent relevant experience at a similar level. Working experience of qualitative and quantitative research and evaluations of public health or educational resources will be an advantage.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

• Supports, facilitates and monitors the progress of a specific project.
• Responsible for managing, delivering, maintaining and developing the areas of work allocated to them by line manager or project manager.
• Identifies, reviews and escalates risks/issues to project manager or project board as appropriate.
• Set up and maintain databases and systems to support the effective running of the programme.
• Input into development of business cases and proposals to establish new projects.
• Contribute to the production of timely and accurate reports on project performance by providing progress reports on specific actions.
• Analyse assessments and project reports, taking appropriate action to resolve failures to meet project standard or escalate to project manager.
• Accurately interpreting data (verbal and numerical) and research papers, and summarising and effectively communicating this data.
• Writing and designing draft research specifications for individual research projects.
• Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches to undertake research.
• Carry out primary research such as interviewing health care staff and patients.
• Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships at all levels
• Work collaboratively across teams and functions.
• Contribute to the planning, development and delivery of learning events and networks to enhance knowledge and skills amongst relevant stakeholders.
• Liaise with other teams members across the programme, supporting other staff to deliver the programme objectives.
• Assisting with the creative development of promotional materials such as poster presentations and advertisements placed in scientific press.
• Be responsible for your own administration.
• Deputise for the Project Manager.
• Encourage quality improvement of products and services.
• Suggests changes to and implements policies and procedures in own work area.
• Work within the scope of the project budget.
• 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. Attending internal / external training events
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
  
  

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1,000 words (max) that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

See full list in the attached Job Description

Essential criteria

• Educated to MSc degree level in microbiological sciences, public health and/or research or equivalent relevant experience at a similar level.
• Project Management Qualification (e.g. Prince2 Practitioner) or equivalent relevant experience
• Communicates effectively with project stakeholders and partners
• Experience of maintaining good stakeholder relations and of working with others to achieve common goals
• Experience of working in a changing environment
• Working knowledge of local and national government structures
• Previous experience in public health, NHS, or similar research role
• Ability to manage own workload, prioritise work and deliver within set timescales, while working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to negotiate, influence and engage with staff and stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to lead as a specialist in area of quantitative or qualitative research/education and provide guidance
• Ability to assess user/customer/stakeholder needs and translate these into a product or service that meets those requirements
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
  
  

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Job contact:

• Name :Daisy Zhang
• Email :[email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email :[email protected]