Digital Proximity Capability Lead (Capability)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Pandemic Preparedness Digital Capability Lead is responsible for leading the development of digital capabilities to support pandemic response across UKHSA.

The role focuses on the discovery phase of the Digital Proximity Programme, identifying requirements, assessing technological options and building the evidence base for future capability. This includes analysing emerging technologies, exploring partnerships and shaping strategic direction.

The post holder works across multiple stakeholders, including UKHSA, NHS England, DHSC, academia and industry, to build consensus and ensure alignment with public health priorities and policy objectives. Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills are essential.

The role includes establishing governance structures, supporting programme delivery and ensuring effective reporting, risk management and oversight. It also involves ensuring consideration of ethical, legal and operational factors, including privacy, inclusion and public trust.

The post holder provides clear advice and briefings to senior leaders, translating complex technical and public health concepts into practical recommendations.

The role contributes to business case development, market engagement and identification of viable delivery options, supporting future procurement and investment decisions.

Working in a fastpaced and evolving environment, the post holder must manage competing priorities, operate independently and respond flexibly to changing requirements.

Essential criteria:

• Experience building crossgovernment partnerships or equivalent experience of building partnerships across large and complex organisations
• Experience in public health or complex programme delivery in a similar large organisation
• Experience developing strategy and capability
• Understanding of digital technologies and programmes
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Strong communication and analytical skills
• Ability to work in ambiguity and fastmoving environments
• Ability to manage priorities and work independently

Desirable criteria:

• Knowledge of public health (or UKHSA context)
• Experience translating complex technical issues into policy
• Experience delivering complex programmes at pace
• Understanding of digital systems and governance

Selection process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours and strengths.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed 8essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of:

• an application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 1000wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000words. We will not consider any words over1000words.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Experience building crossgovernment partnerships or equivalent experience of building partnerships across large and complex organisations
• Experience in public health or complex programme delivery in a similar large organisation
• Experience developing strategy and capability

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Behaviours and strengths will be tested at interview.

The behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Working together (Lead)
• Delivering at pace
• Seeing the big picture
• Changing and improving

Interviews will be held in early July 2026. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf).

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) on-site.

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Eligibility criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard clearance.

Salary information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary.

Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Grade 7

£56,185- £66,581 (National)£58,340- £68,574 (Outer London)£60,494- £70,566 (Inner London)

For fixed term posts

For Temporary Appointments,if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSAs Pay policy.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

• Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

• Working together (Lead)
• Seeing the big picture
• Changing and improving
• Delivering at pace

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Core HQs

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency