About the job

Job summary

The post holder will provide day-to-day outbreak response support. The post holder will employ specialist knowledge and project management skills in the development and delivery of emergency preparedness and response strategies in UKHSA and partner organisations. The post holder will provide support in the management and co-ordination of the UKHSA national response to incidents.

They will maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders both internal and external to the organisation. The post holder will work with minimal supervision and be expected to work flexibly as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing a wide range of duties.

Lead on a number of business support functions for the team and or Directorate and be responsible for the implementation and management of relevant systems and processes. The post holder may work with colleagues who are based across the country at different sites and/or who work remotely.

Provide operational and project support to a range of corporate functions which may include finance, accommodation, HR, governance, business continuity, risk management, staff engagement and internal communications. This may also include providing Executive Assistant support to Section Leads.

Location:

This role will be based in 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ.

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 Colindale, NW London/Central London office, 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.*  

Job description

About Us

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards.  We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.

Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

The Healthcare and Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance (HCAI & AMR) Division brings together teams responsible for a range of outputs that include coordinating the investigation and cause of national outbreaks, advice to Government and the UKHSA Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Priority Programme.

Main Duties: See attached job description and person specification for full details.

• Operational Support
• Project Support
• Financial and Resource Management
• Leadership and Management
• Quality and Governance
• Communication and Key Working Relationships
• Personal and Professional Development

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

The above is extracted from the Job Description; please refer to the job description for full details of the role.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 1,000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential:

• Work with others to identify areas for improvement and simplify processes to use fewer resources. Use technology where possible to increase efficiency
• Make it clear to all team members that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable
• Reflect on own work, continuously seek and act on feedback to improve own and team’s performance
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience, including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money
• Experience of undertaking secretariat functions / administering meetings, events
• Experience of writing and preparing reports for senior colleagues and / or meetings
• Experience or understanding of budget management, business planning and business continuity processes
• Ability to work without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
• Ability to organise one’s own work and that of the team
• Ability to work in a continuously changing environment
• Experienced in IT skills, advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint
• Educated to degree level/NVQ 6 in relevant subject or equivalent experience in a similar area of work
• Experienced of use of systems to order goods and services and an understanding of relevant policies and procedures
• You are detail-focused, you ensure everything is accurate and error free
• You take a positive approach to tackling problems and find ways to identify suitable solutions
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable:        

• Experience working in a public-sector organisation
• Experience of project management
• Ability to lead a team and effectively manage team dynamics to drive forward a shared goal
• Understanding of project principles, techniques and tools
• Ability to use digital tools e.g., Jira, MaPS
• Working towards a post graduate level qualification

Benefits

For more information on 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

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

Your Statement of Suitability (no more than 1,000 words) 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.

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. 

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview via Teams.

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. 

• Changing and improving
• Making effective decisions
• Collaborating and partnering
• Building capability for all
• Managing a quality service
• Delivering at pace

Candidates might also be asked to participate in a test. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 7th Feb 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: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs 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/

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.