Job Description

Details

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Reference number

434285

Salary

41,983 - 54,710
SEO (min 41,983 - max 48,128) AfC (min 47,180 - max 54,710)




Please note: 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.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Health Professionals

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-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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UKHSA Manchester Laboratories

About the job

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Job summary

UKHSA public health laboratories are specialist clinical departments which require specialist, and often dedicated, medical microbiology support. The laboratories provide expert advice and support, particularly for the investigation of outbreaks and incidents and serious epidemics, such as SARS-CoV-2. These services can be delivered in partnership with colleagues in the NHS, for example UKHSA laboratories can be situated with NHS Trusts and services can also be delivered in partnership with colleagues in academia.


The Manchester sequencing laboratory offers a fully integrated service encompassing nucleic acid extraction, target enrichment through PCR or hybridization, and subsequent library preparation and sequencing of viral and bacterial pathogens, utilizing both Illumina and Oxford Nanopore technologies. The laboratory has a strong service delivery focus and commitment to continuously improving methods for rapid and high throughput genomics to enhance its function.


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.

There is an out of hours service operating at Manchester and in the event of incidents and outbreaks, participation in the out of hours work, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays may be requested of this post holder.

Job description

Candidates holding HCPC registration will be appointed on NHS Terms & Conditions at NHS AfC Band 7. Candidates without HCPC registration will be appointed on Civil Service Terms and Conditions at SEO (Senior Executive Officer) grade.

AfC Band 7: min 47,180 - max 54,710 per annum

SEO: min 41,983 - max 48,128 per annum

Line management responsibilities

The post holder will have line management responsibility for Healthcare Scientists and Healthcare Scientist Support Worker staff within the laboratory.

Key responsibilities

General

To provide professional leadership for those members of staff for whom s /he is accountable, leading the staff by example and in a manner which will encourage the development of a positive working attitude by each member. To follow agreed protocols and policies in accordance with the UKHSA policies and procedures. Perform manual and automated laboratory techniques following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), with leading expertise in Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). To provide line management for staff within the Manchester service. Supervise the daily workflows of WGS services on a rotational basis, provide supervision of staff or persons seconded to the laboratory. To participate in and carry out formal staff appraisal(s) to agreed UKHSA deadlines. To provide senior scientific support for the Manchester services, with a particular expertise and leadership in quality. To provide advice and prepare proposals that contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of the work and achieving laboratory objectives. Work with the designated Laboratory Caldicott Guardian, Data Protection Officer and Security of Information Officer, to ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act. To identify new and support existing income generation activities. To write, prepare, review and comply with standard documents and draft SOPs as required. To review and analyse data to ensure it is suitable for release to customers. To report finalised sequencing results to service users (HCPC Registered staff only). To support the development of a flexible team by fostering staff training, development and rotation. To assess, initiate and monitor appropriate action when a situation may cause service delivery delay or failure. Foster good relationships with other departments and establishments including supporting staff rotation or secondments. This will include collaboration with other parties for the efficient delivery of services to all customers.

Please refer to the main responsibilities document attached for full list of the below responsibilities.

Management of Staff

Financial management

Technical Services

Management of Support Services and Equipment

Strategy and Leadership

Teaching

Quality

Information Technology

Safety

Professional Development

This list is not exhaustive of all responsibilities.

Communication and key working relationships

You will work with internal and external stakeholders.

Person specification

Role Criteria and Other Requirements

Essential role criteria (including qualifications, licenses and registrations):

Post-graduate degree in a medical/microbiology/biological science discipline (or equivalent experience working in a laboratory with Next Generation/Third Generation sequencing technologies). Education to degree in microbiology, biological science, molecular biology. Extensive knowledge and experience in at least one of the specialist areas of the laboratory. Training and supervising a team. Able to provide/receive highly complex information, negotiate and present to peers/customers/others. Ability to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change. Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands. Ability to analyse complex facts and situation and develop a range of options. Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner. Evidence of using technical experience to assess new and existing technologies and processes to innovate and initiate change in laboratory practice. Ability to undertake evaluation of new WGS services to allow efficient service delivery. Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly. Ability to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of individuals. Working knowledge of Microsoft office with intermediate keyboard skills. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships. Maintain CPD portfolio.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 41,983, UK Health Security Agency contributes 12,162 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%

NHS Pension

This role is offered under Agenda for Change (AFC) Terms and Conditions.


+ If you are already on AFC T&Cs or accept the role on a fixed-term contract, you will be enrolled in the NHS Pension Scheme or keep your current AFC Pension.
+ If you take the role on a loan or temporary promotion, you will retain your existing substantive T&Cs.
+ If the role is available under either AFC or Civil Service T&Cs depending on your registration, your pension scheme will align accordingly.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Success Profiles.


At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the job advert.


You will be required to complete an:

CV / Application form Up to 1,500-word Statement of Suitability.

Health jobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your statement of suitability must be no more than 1,500 words.


This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.


You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV -please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)


If we receive a large number of applications an initial sifts against the lead behaviour/criteria of insert criteria/behaviour will be conducted.

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

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:

Post-graduate degree in a medical/microbiology/biological science discipline (or equivalent experience working in a laboratory with Next Generation/Third Generation sequencing technologies). Proven record of delivering whole genome sequencing

Desirable criteria listed will also be applied ranked in order of importance:

Proven record and substantive experience of delivering and working in whole genome sequencing services and automation in relevant areas. Comprehensive experience of project principal techniques and tools.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a single remote interview.


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


Experience in laboratory WGS service delivery.


Behaviours:

Seeing the Big Picture Leadership Working Together Developing Self and Other Managing a Quality Service

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


Your technical skills will be assessed with a question around your understanding of the principles of WGS.

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Manchester Pathogen Genomics Laboratory.

Please note that this role is not being offered as hybrid working.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. If based at one of our labs, 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.

Eligibility Criteria -

External

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

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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The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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 : Ben Brown Email : ben.brown@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/7546635