Job Description

Details

-----------

Reference number

436231

Salary

44,148 - 50,121
per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Science

Other

Working pattern

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

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

------------

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

Location

------------


Chilton- Didcot (Scientific Campus)

About the job

-----------------

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 Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards Directorate (RCCE)

provides evidence and advice to protect health from Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards. To support evidence-anchored advice for Health Security, RCCE undertakes research work with various university partners and other organisations including within Health Protection Research Units (HPRUs) supported by the National Institutes of Health Research (NIHR).


The Toxicology Department provides public health advice to other parts of RCCE, the Department of Health and Social Care and other government departments and agencies, Local Authorities and other stakeholders including members of the public on the risks to health from environmental hazards (chemicals, particles and bioaerosols). The Toxicology Department undertakes research that underpins chemical regulation and policy development. All of the research underpins the UKHSA role in public health protection from environmental hazards.

Job description

General Toxicology and Biomonitoring Programme

The General Toxicology and Biomonitoring Programme is within the Toxicology Department. It consists of toxicologists, who provide public health advice on a variety of different chemicals to colleagues within UKHSA, Government agencies and departments, and to the public. This advice focuses on the health effects of chemicals in water, soil and waste processes. We also advise on the public health aspects of the approval and use of pesticides, veterinary medicines, cosmetics and consumer products. The Group provides the Secretariat, jointly with the Food Standards Agency, for three important Government expert advisory committees: the Committees on the Toxicity, Carcinogenicity and Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT, COC and COM). The Group has an active biomonitoring research programme.

#

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To critically assess toxicity data on chemicals To provide advice on the health effects and risk assessments of chemicals in drinking water, land and waste processes, and communicate this advice in a manner appropriate to the recipient To provide advice on the public health impacts of chemical regulation in collaboration with UK Government departments To provide advice on the use of human biomonitoring in public health protection To contribute to the development of the scientific content for the UKHSA Compendium of Chemical Hazards and a public-facing website to provide information in the potential health risks from chemicals. To contribute to the General Toxicology and Biomonitoring Programme's advice to Government Departments and Agencies on contamination of land and water, and from waste processes

Other

To support the work of the Government independent expert advisory committees, where relevant to the work of the Group.
The job entails working within the General Toxicology and Biomonitoring programme to provide advice on the health effects of chemicals in drinking water, contaminated land and from waste processes. The team works closely with the regional RCCE chemicals teams in England and Wales, providing advice and support during contamination incidents involving chemicals. The post holder will get the opportunity to input in various aspects of the groups work and provide toxicological advice as necessary to support the work of UKHSA.

They will also be required to have toxicological experience in chemical risk assessment, national chemicals regulation or human biomonitoring, to develop advice in these areas as necessary to support the work of UKHSA.

Management Duties:

To manage members of staff as necessary, monitoring their performance and undertaking their appraisal. Manages research contracts and projects undertaken by the group, department and RCCE. Under emergency situations, manage the delivery of expert advice in a timely manner.

Training Duties:

To be responsible for on-going training of staff. To supervise on-the-job training of staff. To assist in the training of other UKHSA staff and external staff.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

Masters qualification (or equivalent) relevant to the field of toxicology and/or equivalent experience of working at a similar level in a relevant toxicology area Knowledge and practical experience of chemical risk assessment, or regulatory toxicology, or exposure science and human biomonitoring Awareness of broad public health and environmental issues Experience of managing, mentoring, or training Good scientific report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences. Ability to establish good working relationships Ability to meet deadlines, and plan work over short, medium and long-term timeframes Self-reliant and self-motivating Ability to critically assess literature data and other information relevant to assessing the toxicity of chemicals. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria:

Relevant detailed specialist knowledge Inclusion in UK Register of Toxicologists Experience in public health or industry Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks. Able to handle difficult situations Able to deal with media enquiries

Benefits

------------


Alongside your salary of 44,148, UK Health Security Agency contributes 12,789 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

---------------------------

Selection process details

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency-based


You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 10 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 1000 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 may longlist into 3 piles of:

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

If longlisting is used, the pile meets all essential criteria and meets some essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.


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

Masters qualification (or equivalent) relevant to the field of toxicology and/or equivalent experience of working at a similar level in a relevant toxicology area Knowledge and practical experience of chemical risk assessment, or regulatory toxicology, or exposure science and human biomonitoring

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 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency based


You will be invited to a single face to face interview.


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


You will be asked to prepare and present a 10 minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be sent to those candidates invited to interview.


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 hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton (Didcot). We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro

rata, averaged over a month) based at Chilton (Didcot).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.


If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Face to Face Interviews

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

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: 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 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

---------------------------------


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

#

Job contact :

Name : Lisa Tweedie Email : lisa.tweedie@ukhsa.gov.uk
#

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


http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7593897