Job Description

This post works across UKHSA Public Health Microbiology (PHM) including the Clinical Laboratory Network and the PHM Reference services. UKHSA Public Health Laboratories are unique in having a managed network strategically placed across the country, that together with national centres based at Colindale and Porton, deliver a total microbiology service, providing end to end diagnostic services with specialist consultant specialist clinical advice. This network provides the national surveillance information and evidence for controlling outbreaks, effective public health interventions and for the prevention of a wide range of infectious disease affecting the population.



The managed network of clinical and public health laboratories is based throughout England in various strategic locations including Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, and Manchester, providing specialist public health and diagnostic microbiology. Public health microbiology is also provided by collaborating centres at Brighton, Newcastle, Leeds and Southampton.



The network also comprises of three food water and environmental laboratories (London, Porton and York), which perform a range of specialist microbiology tests on food, water and environmental samples to local authorities, Port Health authorities, the NHS and nationally to Food Standards Agency. The post also works with the PHM Reference services based at Colindale to support business operations.



The post holder will provide Business support under the line management of the Senior Business Manager supporting business operations within UKHSA Public Health Microbiology Services.



The post holder will not have line management responsibility but will work alongside other business support staff under the leadership of the Head of Business Operations.



The primary responsibility of the post hold will be to support the Public Health Microbiology Services Senior Leadership team including the Business Operations Manager and Deputy Director by providing administrative and business support to the Public Health Microbiology Services.



We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.



UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.



Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers



Support the Public Health Microbiology Services Senior Leadership team with preparation of reports and presentations for UKHSA, NHS and Public Health Microbiology Services Programme board.



Provide Diary support to the Public Health Microbiology Services senior leadership team and organise meetings.



Actively seek to identify, recommend and implement improvements.



Assist in the co-ordination and completion of various Public Health Microbiology Services submissions for monthly and quarterly business returns (i.e. quality plans/self-assessments, scorecard) and internal audits.



Assist in the co-ordination and maintaining of up-to-date tactical team risk registers for Public Health Microbiology Services.



Support for sites where there is no facilities management team, the provision of any required estates and facilities management within Public Health Microbiology Services including the associated infrastructure and IT.



Assist with maintenance of an equipment asset register within Public Health Microbiology Services.



Assist to ensure that business continuity plans are in place and are regularly updated.



Assist with the maintenance of the UKHSA Public Health Microbiology Services Health and Safety Policy and arrangements.



Support for response to internal and external stakeholder inquiries / problems regarding Public Health Microbiology Services Business Operations.



Financial and Resource Management



Support with the annual budget setting review.



Support regular budget monitoring, capital expenditure applications, business cases and undertaking any necessary analysis of financial and management information in accordance with corporate policies and procedures.



Assist with all relevant procurement activity for Public Health Microbiology Services in liaison with Procurement Professionals.



Support all commercial processes including maintenance, consumables and services agreements as well as capital purchase.



Human Resources Management



Support the Public Health Microbiology Services senior leadership team to plan, implement and coordinate delivery of an effective training and development programme for Public Health Microbiology Services working in liaison with L&D and Workforce colleagues were appropriate.



Support the Head of Business Operations, Public Health Microbiology Services Deputy Director with the process of recruitment across all sites working with recruitment, HR and Finance teams where appropriate.



Contribute to the successful induction of new staff into Public Health Microbiology Services, including onboarding and organisation of new IT equipment, passes etc.



Planning and Organisation



Contribute to the planning and provide administrative support for Boards and Committees for Public Health Microbiology Services.



Contribute administrative support for monitoring quality outcomes for short, medium and long-term business plans.



Work with and support the Public Health Microbiology Services Senior Leadership team to ensure adequate planning for key cross-Directorate meetings, to include preparing schedules for agendas, to reflect business and programmatic priorities.



Providing administrative support and working with project and programme professionals to create and maintain effective project management plans and processes.



Contribute to maintenance of effective records management processes relevant to business needs.



Maintain office and operational systems for effective working



Contribute to the monitoring of key performance indicators for the successful assessment of individual and work area's success



Support aspects of Research and Development activities, collating information, analysing data and reporting findings



Leadership and Management



To work under the line management of the Senior Business Manager and with other administrative staff (if applicable) to manage administrative functions to ensure flexibility and capacity to meet the needs of Public Health Microbiology Services.



To support the Head of Business Operations in the coordination of training, development and recruitment activity across the Public Health Microbiology Services sites



Support the Head of Business Operations to develop and plan around the staff survey.



Selection Process Details



This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and/or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1:

Application & Sift



You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 8 listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:



Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application)



1000 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 Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.



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 the 'Meets all essential criteria' pile will be moved to the shortlisting stage.



Shortlisting



In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:



Good organisational skills and systematic approach to working



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



Please do not exceed 1000 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 (single) remote interview.



Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.



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



Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.



Eligibility Criteria



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



Location



This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ's. 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).



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).



Security Clearance Level Requirement



Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.



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