Job Description

Details

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Reference number

436011

Salary

60,494 - 70,566
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

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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Covent Garden, London

About the job

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Job summary

External Quality Assessment (EQA) Services is part of UKHSA, Quality and Regulatory Assurance directorate and provides external quality assessment (EQA) schemes (also known as proficiency testing (PT) schemes) for food, water and clinical microbiology laboratories throughout the United Kingdom, and also worldwide. Results reported by microbiology laboratories often play a significant role in health protection and managing public health incidents; tools such as EQA/PT is essential for laboratories to be able to demonstrate that their results are accurate, reliable and reproducible.


UKNEQAS Parasitology, a satellite of UKNEQAS Microbiology, is based at the Halo Building, 1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AX and is responsible for ensuring that clinical specimens containing parasites, parasite antibodies, parasite antigens and parasite nucleic acids are prepared, quality controlled and eventually distributed to participants who are subscribed to the Schemes.


Laboratory Manager of the Parasitology Quality Assurance Unit and Scheme Manager of the UK National External Quality Assessment Service sub-schemes for Blood Parasitology, Faecal Parasitology, Toxoplasma Serology, Rapid Diagnostic Techniques for malaria, Malaria Molecular, Faecal Molecular, Electronic Blood and Electronic Faecal. This involves:

Delivering UKNEQAS for parasitology in a way that meets the agreed quality standards so that the service delivery is safe, effective and economical Staffing, training, and business management within the laboratory Contributing to working groups in EQA services and others, as required.

To provide professional leadership for members of staff for whom the post-holder is accountable, leading staff by example and in a manner which will encourage the development of a positive attitude by each member.

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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

Communication

Communicate with participants nationally and internationally providing advice on the technical aspects of Parasitology covered by the Scheme. Liaise with other staff in the UKNEQAS Unit at the Halo Building, the Organiser to highlight poor performance and lack of competency, with overseas sources and ethical committees for national and overseas specimen collection, external organisations and reference facilities To represent the department at UKNEQAS Consortium meetings. Liaise with the MHRA Adverse Incident Centre regarding discrepant results reported by participants in the UKNEQAS Schemes. Coordination of quality assessment input from the Toxoplasma reference laboratories, organising, attending and minuting meetings of the Specialist Advisory Toxoplasma EQA committee.

Personal and people development

Participates in annual performance and development review. Actively participate and maintain a continuing professional development programme and be aware of relevant developments in parasitology and other biomedical sciences. Develop professional/management expertise by undertaking further appropriate training as required. Conduct individual performance reviews and facilitate the induction, education, training and professional development of staff. Maintenance and development of a World Wide Web site for communication and educational purposes. Educational and direct teaching aspects of the Scheme including organisation of participants' study days and providing support for the Parasitology teaching programme. Maintain professional competence, and be aware of relevant developments in clinical parasitology.

Quality

Ensure that an effective document control system is maintained. Review all non-conformances and adverse incidents to ensure the necessary preventative and corrective action is taken and outcomes recorded. Organise and contribute to internal and external audit programmes and the subsequent corrective actions Organise and contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes 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. Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards. Take every effort to suggest quality improvements.

Technical and Scientific duties

Selection, preparation and quality control of specimens and preparation of associated documents for distribution under UK NEQAS, covering all the parasitology sub schemes. Provision of blood parasitology slides for UK NEQAS Haematology. Obtaining specimens for use in EQA distributions from local and national sources and from overseas by collection visits where necessary. Take responsibility and delegation of the laboratory work according to relative priorities Oversee data processing operations involved in the analysis of UK NEQAS participants' results and take responsibility for the preparation of reports and details of poor performance for further action. Authorisation of reports with the Scheme Organiser.

Person specification

Essential role criteria

Degree in biomedical science or equivalent within laboratory medicine MSc in a Microbiology discipline Several years knowledge and experience in parasitology/microbiology techniques and methods Several years knowledge and experience of managing safety requirements Maintains professional competence in biomedical sciences Understands quality assurance principles and procedures People management - aptitude for managing people Leadership - able to motivate others, encourage teamwork, delegate, and get the best out of people Communication - be able to convey instructions, ideas and opinions clearly and consistently, both orally and on writing Training - aptitude for developing staff skills and capabilities Innovative - able to criticize constructively, to design and introduce improvements and to manage change Proficient in the use of Microsoft software packages Able to deal with problems in a calm and efficient manner Proficient in analysing and presenting key information both orally and as part of reports An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 60,494, UK Health Security Agency contributes 17,525 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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (15) 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.

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 following will be taken through to the next stage:

Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

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

MSc in a Microbiology discipline Several years knowledge and experience in parasitology/microbiology techniques and methods Leadership - able to motivate others, encourage teamwork, delegate, and get the best out of people

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.


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

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 .


Behaviours, technical, experience, and strengths will be tested at interview.


There will be a 10 minute Presentation, which will assess your ability to understand how EQA samples are prepared and the thought process behind this. The topic of the presentation will be shared at interview stage.


The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Making Effective Decisions Leadership - Lead behaviour Communicating and Influencing Working at Pace

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

Location

This role is based in London (WC2H 9AX). Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.


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.

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 Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

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.

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 : Gurkamal Bhambra Email : gurkamal.bhambra@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