Job Description

As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We're an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. But it's where we go next that makes things really interesting .


In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won't become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring.


That's where you come in. Because we can't do this without you.

Job Overview

Salary: 45,000 - 50,000 per annum


Contract type: Permanent


Band: F / Senior Executive Officer


Closing date: Thursday 29th May 2025 at midnight




As the Corporate Safety Advisor, you will take the lead in delivering innovative solutions and embedding a culture of safety at The National Archives. You will based within our busy Estates and Facilities Team, providing health and safety advice, support and training across the organisation. You will be passionate about making a difference through collaboration as well as proving visible safety leadership. As part of the leadership Team within Estates and Facilities, you will ensure building statutory compliance and support with fire safety and building design advice.




The Corporate Health and Safety Advisor will act as the legally defined competent person for all matters relating to the management of health, safety and environment, The post holder will advise and assist management in meeting their legal responsibilities for the health and safety of staff and visitors including compliance with all relevant and associated legislation (e.g. asbestos, legionella, DSE, hazardous waste, fire safety, risk assessments etc.)




The post holder will report to the Head of Estates and Facilities in all matters associated with health, safety and environment within The National Archives. The Estates and Facilities Department is part of the Operations Directorate of The National Archives.




The post holder will be based at The National Archives in Kew, Southwest London but duties will include travel to other government departments and other organisations on occasion.




This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.




A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.




Join us here in beautiful Kew, just 10 minutes' walk from the Overground and Underground stations. Staff can expect a range of benefits including a Civil Service Pension, discounts at local businesses, wellbeing resources and we also have an on-site gym, restaurant and staff bar.




How to apply:




To submit your application please click the 'Apply' button on this page. You will be asked to provide details of your work experience and write a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words. In your statement please explain, using examples, how you meet the essential criteria below. You may draw on knowledge, skills, abilities, experience gained from paid work, domestic responsibilities, education, leisure interests and voluntary activities. Please note selection for interview will largely be based on the information you provide in this section.




We understand that you might use artificial intelligence (AI) and other resources to assist with your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesn't include ideas or work that isn't your own. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

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Role and Responsibilities

Main Duties

To ensure that TNA meets the necessary legislative obligations and drive for the continuous improvement of Health and Safety for the organisation To undertake regular reviews of statutory compliance alongside the Facilities Management partner, providing a technical report to the head of department on compliance. To undertake a corporate role in coordinating and embedding a positive safety culture across the organisation. To advise TNA on developments in legislation and best practice ensuring compliance with UK regulations and legislation. To put in place measures to audit, monitor and review health and safety management practices To enable the investigation of accidents and compilation of accident data; to co-operate with staff responsible or liaison with external specialists on other related matters. Produce reports and updates on performance and present these findings to the Executive Team and Audit and Risk Committee. Line management and supervision of the Estates and Facilities Coordinator to include a published schedule of safety inspections, ensuring all departments and areas are inspected annually. Act as Systems Administrator for the electronic Health and Safety management system and maintain the health and safety related content of The National Archives intranet pages (NARNIA). Maintain formal/informal links with other organisations and government departments to remain abreast of current best practices and innovations. Provide a central point of advice for members of the Health and Safety Committee, to include guidance to members during accident investigation and safety inspections. Lead and manage the first aid response at Kew, ensuring statutory obligations are met and a quality first response to accidents and incidents involving both staff and visitors. Ensure that all statutory requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order are met. Ensure that the Fire Risk Assessment is carried out and reviewed in the appropriate timescales. Organise and run regular fire evacuation exercises to ensure statutory compliance. Provide training for fire related subjects Maintain the health and safety e-learning training as well as technical specific training across the organisation
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Working Conditions

Normal office environment Display Screen Equipment user Moving items up to 10kg in weight
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Person Specification

Essential:

NEBOSH Diploma in general health and safety or similar Comprehensive knowledge of health and safety Proven experience of health and safety management in an environment with complex multi-disciplinary issues. High level of interpersonal skills with an effective and flexible style to ensure influence and credibility with senior managers, staff and trade unions. Ability to organise and prioritise work to meet a programme deadlines. Leadership and/or advisory experience in a Health and Safety role within a complex organisation Ability to provide onsite Incident Management cover as part of a rota of Incident Managers
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Other Requirements

A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time. Must be prepared to travel to other Government departments as required. Occasional overnight stays will be required.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is


found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service


D&I Strategy .

Benefits

Generous benefits package, including pension, sports and social club facilities, onsite gym, discounted rates at our on-site cafe and opportunities for training and development. Annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year (rising to 25 after the first year, and incrementally to 30 days after six years) and 10 days public and privilege holidays per annum.



Any move to The National Archives 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ ( opens in new window)

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.


If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:


Contact The National Archives via careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs Complete the 'Reasonable Adjustments' section of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.


People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks (opens in new window)

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:


UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.




We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles . (opens in new window)



The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.


The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.



This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative . (opens in new window)



Contact point for applicants:


Name: The National Archives Recruitment Team Email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact The National Archives via email: careers@nationalarchives.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/ (opens in new window)