Topic Adviser for Tuberculosis updateNHS

Job summary

NICE, in collaboration with British Infection Association (BIA) and British Thoracic Society (BTS), is updating its guidance on the diagnosis and management of TB infection, (formerly known as latent TB), and TB disease in adults and children.

We are seeking Topic Advisers, including a consultant paediatrician and a consultant adult physician, to provide expert clinical advice to the guideline Chair and NICE collaboration staff. Advisers will support scoping, respond to queries, contribute to committee discussions and help quality assure the guideline content.

Strong interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills are required, along with an ability to communicate complex issues to differing audiences.

Closing date: Midnight on 11/10/26 Interview dates will be scheduled for the 10/11/26 and 13/11/26.

The on-payroll reimbursement rate (honorarium) for an adviser will depend on their professional status:

• General Practitioners & Consultants: £600 per day (more than 4 hours) or £300 per half day (up to and including 4 hours).
• Agenda for Change: £300 per day (more than 4 hours) or £150 per half day (up to and including 4 hours).

If you have an access requirement that prevents you from applying online, please contact Heena Jabbar, Project Manager at [email protected] and we can provide MS word versions of the forms to complete.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

All committee members agree to:

• Set aside enough time to attend committee meetings and use their personal and professional knowledge to inform the development of the guidance
• Raise any concerns about process or details in the draft guidance with the committee, and try to resolve these issues within the committee, with support from the guidance developer or the NICE guidance project team
• Contribute positively to the work of the committee and to developing the guidance
• Take full account of the evidence in developing recommendations
• Consider the analysis and interpretation of evidence prepared by the evidence review team
• Act in a professional manner, show good manners and be courteous to colleagues and staff at all times (committee members should behave in a polite, efficient and respectful manner and without bias or favour, using the highest standards of conduct expected in public life and service while on NICE duty)
• Be impartial and honest in conducting their duties for NICE, use public funds entrusted to them to the best advantage of NICE, and avoid deliberately damaging the confidence of the public or stakeholders in NICE
• Ensure strict adherence to NICE's Principles and equality policy.
• Read and adhere to NICE's policies on hospitality, declarations of interests and travel and subsistence.

Job description

• Regularly attend Committee meetings (up to 6 per year) as well as occasional training.
• Contribute to the panel deliberations from their own specialist knowledge whilst respecting input from non-specialists and lay persons.
• Apply their own experience and judgement to the topics under discussion, rather than act as a representative of their organisation.
• Work with the other members of the Committee and NICE staff to identify key issues and review evidence.
• Agree the final recommendations and guidance.
• Advise on implementation issues as required.
• Ensure appropriate consideration of the implications of guidance for duties under equalities legislation. Follow agreed decision-making procedures and accept the collective decisions of the Committee.
• Abide by NICEs code of conduct for Committee members including declarations of interest and follow the Committees operational procedures.
• Prepare for the Committee meetings by reading the substantive papers and by gathering any additional information on the proposed topics which may be helpful to the discussions.
• Participate in review(s) of the functioning of the Committee and accept changes to the membership, remit, procedures, etc., of the Committee as a result.
• Participate in induction training and other training which may be offered periodically.

About us

About Us

All Members:

NICE will pay reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including train fares and hotel costs, when necessary, for attending committee meetings.

Other expenses:

NICE recognises that in some circumstances individuals will need to arrange for carers or support workers to accompany them to a meeting, or to take over unpaid caring responsibilities while they are at a meeting - this includes childcare or care of a family member with a disability or other additional needs. The circumstances in which NICE can provide reimbursement for such costs are outlined in the non-staff reimbursement policy.

Time commitment:

• Committee members are expected to attend all scheduled committee meetings over a year of development. Our committees have been meeting virtually using online software since the COVID-19 pandemic. We will review this regularly but currently anticipate a small number of meetings may be held in person.
• Committee members will have to spend time reading substantial committee documents and helping to produce consultation documents.
• Membership will be for 3 years and will be eligible for renewal. The second and further periods of office will be for periods of up to 3 years by mutual agreement, up to a maximum of 10 years.