Job Description

Details

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Reference number

442301

Salary

56,185 - 66,581
per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Administration / Corporate Support

Business Management and Improvement

Health and Safety

Science

Other

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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Porton (Scientific Campus)

About the job

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Job summary

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.


The Countermeasures Development, Evaluation & Preparedness (CDEP) and Diagnostic Pathogen Characterisation (DPC) Divisions, along with other divisions in the Public Health Microbiology (PHM) Directorate, provide the laboratory-based capability for UKHSA.


You will be joining an efficient and fast-paced team ? based on the Porton site - who work closely with Scientific laboratory-based staff and supporting UKHSA functions such as Safety, Quality, Commercial, Finance, Estates and Engineering. The team ensures the department has the resources and systems in place to allow delivery of high-quality scientific data. This role provides specialist, site-based operational management and support to all activities within CDEP, DPC and other operational functions as required across the Porton site/UKHSA functions.


Key working relationships: The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals; internal and external to UKHSA. This will include, but is not limited to, the following.

Internal

Divisional Deputy Directors, CDEP/DPC Operational Lead & Head of Operations, Senior and other Operations Managers, Heads of Departments, Project Team Leaders, Scientific Leads, Scientists, supporting functions i.e. HR, OH, Finance, Commercial, wider PHM.

External

Suppliers, customers, scientists, regulatory bodies.

We are currently recruiting for 1 post with the potential for further similar posts becoming available in the near future.

Job description

Main Responsibilities

To manage and lead on assigned division wide operational duties within CDEP & DPC. To take responsibility and lead in the maintenance, improvement and management of assigned systems, policies and processes that ensure business delivery and service provision to CDEP & DPC and its customers. This includes formulating and executing plans, monitoring outcomes, measures and benefits and to reporting all findings to the Divisions. Take a lead in influencing other departments/service providers to improve/enhance the service they provide to CDEP & DPC. Contribute to and lead on change initiatives e.g. Harlow relocation Programme of activities. Establish links and collaborations within and outside UKHSA as necessary to benefit the Divisions. Assist senior colleagues, leading where necessary, in developing the Divisions operational strategy in support of the scientific strategy: executing the strategy, identifying and responding to opportunities as they arise. Take lead responsibility for the supervision, training and management of staff as appropriate. Provide reports as required and lead on preparation of presentations, operational publications and liaison via teleconferences with internal and external colleagues, stakeholders and customer as well as dealing with enquiries as necessary. To ensure that the Division undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSA?s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality or other Systems that are applicable to the Division and Porton site. To fulfil the requirements of Civil Service Behaviours. To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.

This list is not exhaustive.


It should be noted that the work of the Divisions is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

BSc in Biological Sciences Experience of managing and leading in a Core Operations Team, making tactical decisions in a regulated (eg. Safety, Quality) life/medical sciences laboratory, or Healthcare related environment Confident and effective communicator Possess excellent organisation and planning skills Proven ability to build relationships and work collaboratively Experience of using problem solving skills to drive system or service improvement Ability to respond to sudden and unexpected demands in a calm and efficient manner Proficient in the use of MS Office applications

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 56,185, UK Health Security Agency contributes 16,276 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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Artificial intelligence

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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience, Strengths and Technical Skills Success Profiles - GOV.UK

Stage 1: Application

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

Application form (?Employer/ Activity history? section on the application) 1500 word supporting statement.

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 supporting statement will be marked together.


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.


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

The pile meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting


Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift on the lead criteria

Experience of managing and leading in a Core Operations Team, making tactical decisions in a regulated (eg. Safety, Quality) life/medical sciences laboratory, or Healthcare related environment

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


Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Success profiles


You will be invited to a single face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.


The following will be tested at interview:

Behaviours Strengths Experience Technical skills

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Communicating and influencing (Lead Criteria) Changing and improving Working together Managing a quality service

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute (maximum) presentation. The subject will be an example of managing and leading the development or implementation of a new system, process or improvement.


You will also be asked strength based questions.


Interview dates 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.

Selection Process

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.

Location

This role is being offered as office based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates will require Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Security Check (SC) clearance.


You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) and 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

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

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.

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.

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: Reasonable Adjustments , Civil Service Careers

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.

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 UKHSA Hub , Civil Service 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 security 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 : Timor Miakhel Email : timor.miakhel@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 here.


http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7671353