Job Description

Details

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Reference number

424848

Salary

27,712 - 28,344
per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Administrative Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London.

About the job

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Job summary

To provide general support services for scientific and clerical activities of the department. To provide support and assistance in preparation and dispatch of simulated specimens to participants worldwide. To ensure that large, consolidated paperwork are packed accurately and in a timely manner.

Located in Colindale and Central London (and hosted by UK Health Security Agency), responsible for the organisation and global delivery of the National External Quality Assessment Service (NEQAS) for microbiology (bacteriology, virology, molecular and parasitology schemes). Participants of the schemes receive regular distributions of specimens of known but undisclosed content which when examined by participants provide a valuable educational exercise and serves as a part of the quality assurance of the laboratory. UK NEQAS Microbiology serves over 2000 participants in over 100 countries.

Working for your organisation

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.

Job description

Technical/Scientific Duties

General:

Plan own work within HCS Support Worker (LSS) team daily Reception and clerical duties Welcome visitors Collate large amounts of paperwork (on a rotational basis) Assist with general administration duties, this may include the use of MS Office and other IT applications at basic level

Laboratory:

Clean benches and equipment on regular basis. Make up/dilute, decant and maintain stocks of solutions. Assist with the preparation of simulated specimens, labelling microscope slides and other receptacles. The work may involve handling human blood components and micro-organisms. Assist with the pre-packing of simulated specimens Assist with consolidation of specimen distributions and paperwork for dispatch to participants according to a pre-planned schedule Printing of labels using a computer-based system Technical work in the laboratory as required by supervisory staff

Wash up/Sterilisation:

To use equipment including autoclaves and ovens to sterilise lab ware. To collect laboratory waste and prepare for disposal. To wash up and prepare glassware as appropriate.

Person specification

Key working relationships

Internal:

To work as part of the UK NEQAS for Microbiology and wider EQA Services team To liaise with staff throughout UKHSA Colindale as appropriate

External:

To liaise with users of UK NEQAS for Microbiology services

Communication:

With UK NEQAS for Microbiology colleagues and staff throughout UKHSA Colindale With line manager on work-related matters Reporting to line manager and senior staff, anomalies with procedures Assist in the maintenance of good customer relations

Personal & People Development:

Actively participate in annual performance and development reviews. Develop and maintain good working relationships with staff To assist in training of new members of LSS staff

Health, Safety & Security:

In accordance with UKHSA policies and procedures:

To ensure that health, safety and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and to demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, staff and visitors. To work in a safe manner. To report all accidents and incidents. To comply with safety policies, procedures, COSHH and risk assessments. To participate in the internal and external safety audits, as required. To co-operate on matters of health and safety to enable UKHSA to comply with its health and safety responsibilities. To notify any accidents, incidents or near misses', dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions via the appropriate management structure.

Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with UKHSA on any matters of health and safety.

Quality:

In collaboration with the Quality Team:

Maintain a high standard of work and contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical and follows best practice. Contribute to internal and external quality assessment programs. Ensure compliance with the appropriate accreditation and certification standards. Contribute to internal and external audit programs and corrective actions. Take every effort to suggest quality improvements.

Service Improvement:

Work with other staff to improve working practices.

Equality & Diversity:

Be aware of the relevant legislation and behave in a manner acceptable to all groups of staff

Estates & Facilities:

Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment. Monitor equipment as required, reporting deficiencies or discrepancies to supervisory/senior staff.

Information & Knowledge:

Use QPulse to retrieve controlled documentation Basic use of IT applications

Development & Innovation:

Assist with the development and introduction of new specimen types.

Procurement & Commissioning:

Maintain stores including, stock control and receiving goods in the department.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 27,712, UK Health Security Agency contributes 8,028 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

Essential Criteria:

Educated up to NVQ 2 level in a Healthcare Science/Pathology or equivalent level of qualification or previous experience of working in healthcare Science /Pathology settings. Experience of manual dexterity type of work You have a methodical approach to tasks Basic understanding of general safety Familiar with MS Office programs Evidence of interest in people and quality of service Interest in laboratory work Able to convey information to staff at all levels Be flexible in responding to unexpected changes in planned work Ability to integrate into a team Attention to detail Able to concentrate for long periods of time Basic computer literacy

Desirable criteria:

Laboratory experience

Selection Process Detail

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based Statements

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 13 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

An Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 750 word Supporting 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.


The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

Longlisting:

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

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

Those that 'meet

all

essential criteria' will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

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

Educated up to NVQ 2 level in a Healthcare Science/Pathology or equivalent level of qualification or previous experience of working in healthcare Science /Pathology settings. Interest in laboratory work

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 & assessment


Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage

Interview stage:

You will be invited to a face-to-face interview in Colindale, London.


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



Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.


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

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 office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Security Clearance Level

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 Counter-terrorist Check.



If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.


You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.


Link below:


Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant's personal details - name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

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



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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) 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .
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.

Diversity and Inclusion

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 Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : Carmelita Goodwin Email : Carmelita.Goodwin@ukhsa.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.




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 UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk




If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk