Consultant Epidemiologist: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

The Travel Health and International Health Regulations (IHR) section contributes to the health of British travellers through surveillance, information, teaching and research, and has a central role in supporting UKHSA’s role of National Focal Point under the International Health Regulations, and as EU Focal Point under the EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Section sits within the Chief Medical Advisor’s group – Epidemic and Emerging Infection (EEI) Directorate at Colindale.The main duties of the post are related to leading and developing surveillance for a range of travel associated infections and supporting the team’s function in providing the IHR NFP and EU focal point. The postholder will be part of the senior leadership of the Travel Health and IHR section.The postholder will line manage some of the scientific staff within the section, undertaking annual appraisals and providing career development support as necessary.

Main duties of the job

Key Job Specific Responsibilities

The post holder will contribute to delivering the following in collaboration with the Head of TH/IHR and other senior staff:

• Oversight of surveillance of illness in returning travellers through a variety of surveillance mechanisms and in collaboration with UKHSA disease expert colleagues
• Oversight of enhanced surveillance of enteric fevers which is managed by TH/IHR team and collaboration with the MRL with respect to enhanced surveillance of malaria
• Ensuring that surveillance data are provided for those who need this information in an accurate, timely and user-friendly manner
• Supporting the UK NFP role under IHR and the EU Focal Point under the TCA
• Collaboration with NaTHNaC in provision of evidence-based advice to health professionals advising the travelling public, including contributing to clinical updates for the NaTHNaC website
• Membership of the Advisory Committee on Malaria Prevention, the NaTHNaC technical advisory group and the JCVI travel vaccine subcommittee, as required
• In collaboration with NaTHNaC overseeing surveillance of international outbreaks/incidents of illness with relevance to public health in the UK and provide risk assessments as require
• Supporting response to international outbreaks and incidents (including natural disasters and international mass gathering events) with implications for public health in the UK through provision of evidence-based advice

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• The National Health Service (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations 1996 (legislation.gov.uk) In line with legislation, inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice/GDC Specialist List or inclusion in the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists at the point of application.
• If included in the GMC Specialist Register/GDC Specialist List in a specialty other than public health medicine/dental public health, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of public health practice
• Any public health speciality registrar applicants who are currently on the UK public health training programme and not yet on either the GMC, GDC or UKPHR specialist register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry to a register at the date of interview Applicants going through the portfolio registration routes (GMC or UKPHR) are not eligible to be shortlisted for interview until they are included on the register. The six-month rule does not apply to these portfolio route applicants.
• If an applicant is UK trained in Public Health, they must ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview. If an applicant is non-UK trained, they will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT
• Applicants must meet minimum CPD requirements (i.e. be up to date) in accordance with Faculty of Public Health requirements or other recognised body
• MFPH by examination, by exemption or by assessment, or equivalent

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Understanding of epidemiology, statistics, and public health practice.
• Understanding of key agencies involved in health protection and an understanding of laboratory microbiology and clinical infectious disease services
• Significant strategic experience of leadership for public health and working with other agencies
• Experience of staff management and training
• Experience of communicable disease control in a wide variety of settings including out of hours on call

Skills / capabilities/ behaviours

Essential

• Proven excellent oral and written communication skills (including dealing with the media)
• Proven and effective interpersonal, motivational and influencing skills
• Substantially numerate, with highly developed analytical skills using qualitative and quantitative data
• Ability to design, develop, interpret and implement policies
• Able to prioritise work, and work well against a background of change and uncertainty
• Commitment to team-working, and respect and consideration for the skills of others
• Self-motivated, pro-active, and innovative

Desirable

• Experience of scientific publications, presentation of papers at conferences, seminars etc

Equality and diversity

Essential

• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems

Closing Date: 30 September 2026