About the job

Job summary

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.

You will work in the Global and Public Health Group, which plays a crucial role managing the response to international health-related incidents like COVID-19 or Ebola. The Global and Public Health group also leads on global health strategies, advocacy and international negotiations. Staff work in a variety of roles, such as implementing the Trade and Cooperation agreement following EU Exit and developing the policy on vaccines deployment and therapeutics. Our vision is to keep people’s health safe at home and overseas by building strong relationships with our national and international partners.

 

The International Directorate sits within the Global and Public Health Group and works to strengthen global health systems and health partnerships to improve global health outcomes for the benefit of the UK and others, because no one is safe until everyone is safe. The directorate delivers this objective through several teams, all of which are supportive, friendly and committed to personal development and wellbeing.

 

Our roles are available in the Global Health Security (GHS) programme, a targeted programme to strengthen global capacity to prevent, detect and respond to global health threats by working in partnership with low- and middle-income countries and the global health system.  It is funded through the Government’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget as part of UK Aid. The purpose of the GHS portfolio is to combat the world’s most serious infectious diseases and public health threats, including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), in order to support delivery of the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals. One role supports the UK Vaccine Network Project, which works to accelerate development of vaccines against diseases of epidemic potential in low- and middle-income countries. The second role supports the GHS Programme Management Office, working across the GHS portfolio of projects as well as with our sister Global Health Research (GHR) team within the Science, Research and Evidence Directorate.

Job description

One role sits within the GHS Programme Management Office (PMO) but also works with the Global Health Research team. The PMO team is inclusive and supportive, comprised of a mix of professionals including project delivery, comms, finance, commercial and monitoring, evaluation and learning. You will be working to help the PMO support our GHS projects: the Fleming Fund, the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Fund, the UK Vaccines Network, the UK-Public Health Rapid Support team, and the International Health Regulations project, as well as the Global Health Research portfolio.

This role will support the smooth delivery of business operations functions both teams, with a specific lead on travel coordination.

The second role sits within the UK Vaccine Network Project team. The UKVN Project invests to support the development of vaccines against diseases with the potential to cause epidemics in low- and middle-income countries. It was established in 2015 after the West African Ebola outbreak illustrated a serious market failure in the development of vaccines against emerging pathogens. It has programmed over £110m of DHSC ODA (Official Development Assistance) across a portfolio of research projects, including funding research which laid the foundations for the Oxford-AZ Covid vaccine. You will lead on key aspects of programme management such as finance, risk management and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL).

We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. Both posts are available for full time, part-time(such as job shares) or flexible working arrangements. If you are looking specifically for part-time or specific flexible working arrangements, then you are advised to discuss directly with the vacancy manager. Our teams are based in both London and Leeds and successful candidates are welcome to work from our offices in either location. We particularly encourage applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. 

We strongly recommend that applicants get in touch with the vacancy manager to find out more information about the role

Person specification

The Role Holder will either be:

• Managing and taking an active role in creating, and driving forwards, a people plan for GHS (including skills gap audits, recruitment and improving workplace culture) 
• Leading on the development of travel plan and guidance, and providing business support for international travel to the GHS and GHR team, including budgeting and booking; 
• Providing timely and high-quality logistical support to the GHS and GHR teams as the PMO lead on event management; 
• Supporting the programme/policy lead on delivering the quarterly GHS programme board and bimonthly Delivery Board;
• Provide programmatic and corporate support across GHS and GHR teams in line with business and programme needs and;
• Supporting the PMO on risk and fraud (x-ODA)

OR, lead on aspects of programme management for the UK Vaccine Network Project including:

• Ensuring effective finance management including forecasting, processing of invoices, and monitoring budget /spend trends, working closely with the GHS Finance lead
• Ensuring the programme is delivered in line with ODA and DHSC best practices and standards, working closely with the GHS Programme Management Office as well as our external delivery partners
• Maintaining the project risk and issue registers, ensuring that risks and issues are identified, mitigating actions are undertaken and recorded
• Working with the GHS Comms Manager and DHSC media team to support communication activities
• Managing the UKVN transparency obligations to ensure we meet the requirements placed on all UK Aid spending
• Leading or supporting on discrete projects such as external events or programme evaluation

Key skills and experience required for the role

Essential:  

• Excellent organisation skills and strong attention to detail
• Ability to identify, manage and prioritise the differing business needs of stakeholders;
• Proactive and able to juggle multiple workstreams, progressing longer term pieces of work alongside more urgent priorities
• Ability to build strong working relationships with a range of internal and external partners and stakeholders
• Ability to be flexible and responsive to different team needs and priorities.

Desirable:  

• Project/programme management experience;
• Experience working on ODA-funded projects/programmes or in global health;
• Event management experience
• Financial management experience

The post holder should embrace DHSC values and behaviours, in particular diversity and inclusion, and support making the Department a great place to work. 

Don’t meet all of these criteria? Research has shown that under-represented groups are less likely to apply unless they tick every single box. If you’re excited about this role but are unsure it’s right for you, please do get in touch (or apply anyway!) 

Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds.  Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support. 

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need. 

There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,188, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £8,690 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 is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Sift date: W/C 17/06/2024

Interview date: expected W/C 8/07/2024

Interview location: By video.

The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores. 

Applications will be sifted on CV, Statement of Suitability and Behaviours.

Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert.  

Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 500 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert.

At interview candidates will be assessed on  Behaviours and Strengths

Candidates will be asked to give a presentation which will assess the behaviour:  Managing a Quality Service. Details of the presentation question will be issued to candidates with the release of the sift scores.

To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here 

Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available. 

Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. 

Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance.

This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Terms and Conditions

Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. 

New Entrants to the Civil Service

New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
• Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
• Probation: 6 month probation period

Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion

All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). 

Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion

If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to DHSC 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.