About the job

Job summary

National £51,824 £61,414

Outer London £53,812 £63,252

Inner London £55,799 - £65,089

This post sits within the Vaccines and Countermeasures (VCR) response team, part of the Commercial Directorate within UKHSA. We are responsible for the business and procurement functions for vaccines and countermeasures that support the efficient delivery of National immunisation programmes and prepare for the effective responses to an influenza pandemic, an accidental or malicious release, and incidents involving certain venoms and toxins.

The post holder will be a key member of the Vaccines and Countermeasures Response (VCR) team and will be responsible for the procurement, supply and operational planning for pharmaceutical products held in preparation for, and the effective responses to, a future pandemic(s) and an accidental or malicious release of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) agent.

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working – this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. UKHSA have office locations across the UK. 

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Porton Down, Colindale, Chilton

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.  
The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy. 

The current UKHSA policy is 60% office attendance (3 days out of 5) in line with the most recent UK Govt. directive on office attendance for Civil Servants.

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

Job description

The post holder will be a key member of the Vaccines and Countermeasures Response (VCR) team and will be responsible for the procurement, supply and operational planning for pharmaceutical products held in preparation for, and the effective responses to, a future pandemic(s) and an accidental or malicious release of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) agent.

The post holder will support the Head of Clinical Countermeasures Supply and Operations in ensuring that, appropriate clinical countermeasures including vaccines, and other medicines are stockpiled to meet the UK government policy requirements as set by UKHSA and DHSC. This will include working with UKHSA commercial colleagues to run compliant procurement exercises, evaluation of bids, supply negotiations and contract management.

As the UK learns lessons from COVID19 there is a unique opportunity to play a major role in the enhancement and expansion of the UKs pandemic preparedness and response capabilities. The post holder will support the Head of Clinical Countermeasures Supply and Operations in this work and will be required to  work closely with stakeholders to ensure any solutions are fit for purpose and are future proofed to include consideration of upcoming initiatives. 

The post holder will be responsible, alongside colleagues in the VMC, for managing the relationship with the suppliers who UKHSA holds agreements with for the supply of a pandemic specific vaccine and will also be the lead for any re-procurement activities associated with these agreements in the coming years.

Whilst the role itself is largely focused on preparedness, the post holder will still need be comfortable with working in fast paced, large scale operational delivery and will be part of the VCR response at the time of a Pandemic or CBRN incident.

The development of evidence based five case model business cases will be an important responsibility for the post holder to ensure that any procurements undertaken can demonstrate that they meet the necessary policy initiatives, whilst also providing value for money, and operational deliverability. These business cases will need to be submitted for approvals across government (including Cabinet Office and HMT when appropriate) and will need to be supported though each step of the process by the post holder.

The role covers a complex range of policy areas and their dependencies in relation to the commercial, financial, analytical, operational, clinical and scientific requirements and so 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.

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

• To work with internal commercial colleagues to ensure stocks of medical countermeasures, including antivirals, antibiotics and other medicines are maintained in stockpiles in preparedness for a pandemic or other emergency and lead on these procurements ensuring they are procured in a timely manner.
• To support the procurement of contractual arrangements that ensure the UK has a pandemic specific vaccine (PSV) when it is needed.
• To ensure the procurement of pandemic specific vaccines arrangements are consistent with DHSC policy and support the pandemic vaccine strategy.
• To work with the Head of Logistics and Consumables (Countermeasures) and Supply Chain Coordination Ltd (SCCL) to ensure stocks of commensurate medical consumables are procured and maintained in stockpiles in preparedness.
• To develop relevant business cases for approval, and when necessary, liaising with DHSC Investment Appraisals for review and final DHSC Finance sign off as appropriate.
• To implement programme and project management principles and processes, including the assessment of risks, monitoring and reporting, in support of all areas of the business.
• To provide support to Head of Logistics and Consumables (Countermeasures) for the development of distribution arrangements for pharmaceutical products by coordinating the work of NHS England (NHSE), the Storage and Distribution (S&D) service provider, NHS Digital and SCCL.
• Lead the development of robust processes and data flows for the management of medicines and consumable products held in the stockpile.
• Work with appropriate scientific expert groups, analysts, and economists across the health sector, including UKHSA, NERVTAG, SPI-M, DHSC and NHSE.
• To work with DHSC analysts in developing or revising the modelling of target volumes of products to be stockpiled, reviewing the assumptions and methodology used and recalculating final volumes which are consistent with DHSC policy.
• To provide support to other wider initiatives and information returns required by UKHSA, DHSC, HMT, Cabinet Office, and National Audit Office.
• To liaise with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations in support of UK-wide strategies in preparedness for pandemics and other emergencies
• To provide submissions and briefings on all aspects of clinical countermeasure requirements to keep senior officials and ministers informed and updated as necessary

Other

• The above is 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.

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 1000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Essential

1. Educated to post-graduate level or evidence of experience working at equivalent level.
2. Demonstrated experience of co-ordinating projects in complex and challenging environments.
3. Experience of developing Business Cases using the Cabinet Office 5 Case model and the Government’s approval processes, including Cabinet Office and HMT.
4. Ability to analyse very complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources, and be able to act upon potentially incomplete information using experience to make inferences and decision making
5. Ability to build constructive and influential working relationships internally and externally.
6. Ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders including briefing papers and correspondence.
7. Demonstrates knowledge of diversity and commitment to the principles of good working relationships and being aware of how individual actions contribute to working together in an inclusive way.
8. Must be SC Cleared or willing to undergo SC clearance which requires UK residency in the last 5 years.

Desirable

1. Comprehensive experience in a similar position within the public sector.
2. Knowledge of contract and contract management principles.
3. Programme and Project Management – MSP/Prince2 Practitioner.
4. Experience of procurement and finance processes.
5. Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and longer term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly.

Benefits

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 full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – 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
• Delivering at Pace
• Making effective decisions
• Changing and Improving

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

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 23rd January 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.  

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.