About the job

Job summary

Inner London location £34,463- £41,478

Outer London location £32,469- £39,532

National location £30,473- £37,215

UKHSA’s mission is to make the nation health secure. We provide strategic leadership and vision for protecting and improving the nation’s health, by preventing, detecting and mitigating eternal threats to health. Our ambition is to lead health responses nationally, and enable locally, in partnership with local authorities, the NHS, academia, industry and others. We will achieve this through the application of research, knowledge and skills. As an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, UKHSA is a distinct delivery organization with operational autonomy to advise and support government, local authorities and the NHS in a professionally independent manner.

This role sits within UKHSA’s award-winning Commercial Directorate, which played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Truly dynamic, our teams operate at significant pace in a commercially complex environment to procure a diverse range of goods and services in a highly competitive global market.  

UKHSA’s Commercial teams continue to play a central role in priority activity, supporting responses to health threats as they occur, and ensuring enduring, resilient scientific and technical capabilities that secure the UK in the strongest position to protect the public from future threats to health. 

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates 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) working at one of the following UKHSA's locations - Porton Down, Colindale or Chilton. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working

Job description

About the team:

The Business Development Department supports achievement of UKHSA’s goals by helping win external funding for research, and commercialising services created through the agency’s wide-ranging scientific and public health expertise. In particular the department manages and exploits the agency’s strong Intellectual Property portfolio, realising a financial return on the investment of public funds to generate high quality public health interventions and assets, and reducing the cost to the government of cutting-edge public health capabilities.

Business Development must constantly adapt to meet the changing needs of the organisation and, in particular, continually seeks to strengthen its skills base in the spectrum of capabilities represented by UKHSA. The team aligns with Department of Health and Social Care and HM Treasury commercial policies related to managing public money and knowledge asset management, thus ensuring the organisation meets its obligations under the current legislation and case law.  The team also coordinates the response to external audits and external enquiries related to income generation fulfilling statutory requirements such as freedom of information requests.

Responsibilities section:

Our Assistant Business Development Managers (Assistant BDM) directly support commercial ventures targeting external revenue streams, from initial opportunity through to contract signature. This support includes providing appropriate advice to UKHSA project managers when they apply for research funding or pursue sales, by active review of terms and conditions related to funding bodies or any non-standard terms the client wishes to negotiate, ensuring the project leader and their team understand the potential impacts of contracted terms and means to mitigate them where risks are identified.

The role involves all aspects of developing business cases, supporting project managers to design and deliver their tender proposals, service or research offers, identifying and articulating the benefits to UKHSA for the proposed resource investment, through close liaison with the internal quality, regulatory and financial stakeholders to ensure all costs and factors have been included in the proposal.

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:    

• Providing business development support and generating new business opportunities for Research and other operational staff across UKHSA.
• Supporting commercialisation of UKHSA intellectual property (IP).
• Undertaking a variety of standard and non-standard contractual negotiations.
• Providing support to a variety of commercial and R&D services through representation on routine business support meetings and supporting internal review processes.
• Coordinating and supporting preparation of compelling tenders in response to competitive exercises.
• Assisting line manager in developing, managing and delivery of progress against assigned business targets and priorities.
• Providing support for training and ad hoc advice on marketing, intellectual property, contracting and other business disciplines when required.
• Raising awareness of service, IP commercialisation and research–funded opportunities across UKHSA.
  • Maintaining timely, accurate and up to date bid and contracting records in the BD record/filing systems, including liaison with operational managers in relation to the progress of active proposals.
  • To identify opportunities for externally funded work, liaise with technical and contractual colleagues pertaining to tenders including development of appropriate templates and standard materials, and review/improve service delivery standards
  • To help UKHSA operational managers increase external income in line with organisational targets, develop standard cost and pricing models and advise on pricing strategies where applicable
  • To liaise with UKHSA’s scientific, financial, legal and regulatory functions to assist formulation of proposals for generating external income
  • To work as part of the wider BD team to maximise the value of intellectual property (IP) within operational directorates, including identifying IP commercialisation opportunities
  • Provide up to date non-confidential information leaflets and web bulletins as marketing tools for attracting potential licensees of UKHSA intellectual assets and service expertise
  • To manage assigned projects delegated by line manager
  • To prepare and submit monthly reports on performance of assigned tasks/projects.
  • To assist the line manager to develop innovation and commercial awareness across the Agency by means of training, workshops, newsletters, intranet sites, as required.

The post holder is expected to contribute to marketing and exhibition activities, develop and maintain strong working relationships with a wide range of individuals, clinical, non-clinical and technical, internal, and external to UKHSA. Examples of the relationships are as follows:

Internal Stakeholders:

• Business Development staff, at all UKHSA locations.
• UKHSA Legal Affairs.
• UKHSA Publications and other communications colleagues.
• UKHSA Commercial Operations and Engagement colleagues.
• Business Managers and wider UKHSA scientific team members.
• Administrative staff.

External Stakeholders:

• Commercial customers.
• Other Government agencies and departments.
• International funding bodies.
• National funding bodies.
• External suppliers.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Honours Degree in a relevant scientific, technical or business-related subject (essential qualification)
• Relevant marketing, technology transfer, business management or business administration post-graduate qualifications or directly-related experience (desirable qualifications)
• Full UK Driving Licence and will to undertake business travel in the UK and overseas when required (by agreement)
• Significant experience delivering effective verbal and written presentations/business cases to senior decision makers
• Demonstrable experience of negotiating research and or service contracts including service level agreements, material and information licensing/re-use agreements, non-disclosure agreements and similar
• Knowledge of the different types of intellectual property including their protection, exploitation use and transfer
• Demonstrable experience of successful collaboration with others to achieve positive business outcomes through effective networking, communication and compromise
• Ability to assess complex project proposals, tender requirements and to interpret detailed documents quickly and efficiently to meet internal and external deadlines.
• Holds a UK driving licence and able to undertake national/international travel, working irregular hours when required (by agreement)
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise workload effectively

Desirable

• Knowledge of public sector regulatory compliance and governance issues, UKHSA policies and other relevant regulations which need to be covered and included in contracts
• Demonstrable experience in successfully managing projects, people and operations to achieve IP licensing or technology transfer exchanges

Benefits

Working for the UKHSA

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.

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

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.

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview by video. 

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. 

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate.  The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 25th February 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: TBD 4th March

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.  Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.  People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

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: Complaints1@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. 

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.