About the job

Job summary

We are recruiting two Administrative Officers (AO) to work in the UKHSA North West Greater Manchester business support team.

The AO is a key member of our operational team supporting the busy health protection response, and you will need to be a strong administrator, proficient with Microsoft Office packages, and be able to work accurately with pace to meet tight deadlines. You will also be required to keep up-to-date with current practice and learning, and adhere to legislation, policies and procedures.

This is a diverse and interesting role, and one which requires a flexible approach as workload priorities can change.

You will be joining our North West multi-disciplinary team made up of consultants, practitioners, surveillance scientists, emergency planning and business support colleagues.

We have a friendly and collaborative team where everyone’s role is valued and contributes to the UKHSA mission to keep the local population health secure.

Job description

Operate and update a range of databases and computerised case management / surveillance systems. Input confidential data and information accurately and completely, using the correct formats.

Deal with complex telephone enquiries and other communications re infectious diseases and incidents that may require a high degree of tact, diplomacy and confidentiality.

Organising and supporting internal and external meetings where you will be expected to take minutes, both via Microsoft Teams and face-to-face.

Provide comprehensive administrative support, including preparing and responding to routine correspondence, and diary management of one or more senior staff.

See candidate pack for full duties.

Person specification

Main duties of the job are listed above, and full details are in the attached candidate pack. 

Post Location

Your contractual and operational base will be in Manchester. The role includes hybrid working which allows for staff who can operate remotely at home and in the office, to fulfil their role and responsibilities in line with the team and UKHSA’s policies and guidance. The successful candidates will be expected to attend site 60% of their working time in line with current Civil Service expectations. On non-office days, the individual may work from home.   Other travel from time to time may be required.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £22,194, UK Health Security Agency contributes £5,992 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy will use competency-based questions to assess the behaviours, experience, ability, technical skills/qualifications, strengths and commitment to equality and diversity detailed in the essential person specification.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a detailed Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability of up to 1500 words which will be assessed in line with the criteria listed in the person specification.

Applicants are strongly advised to use the criteria in the job description/person specification (available online) as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

In the event a high volume of applications is received, an initial sift will be based on the essential criteria: Microsoft Office experience and call handling experience. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift.

Stage 2 – Interview

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will progress to a single video interview and will be assessed on the essential criteria as advertised.  

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS 

Interviews are expected to be held in January 2023.  

Other Information

• Option 3 – External - Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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.