About the job

Job summary

Do you have a strong background in health and safety management, with experience in enforcing policies, processes, and procedures in a complex and dynamic environment? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!

As the Health and Safety Manager, you will be part of the Estates, Engineering and Facilities (EEF) Department, which is responsible for the engineering function comprising maintenance, validation, and calibration of assets, as well as repairs and capital work. You will report directly to the QA Lead and interface with the wider PHE business to ensure a consistent and synergistic approach to health and safety throughout the organisation.

You will also ensure the technical support team and other third parties follow the Engineering Policy and Engineering Procedures in relation to health and safety and oversee the engineering function to comply with the regulatory bodies, including the HSE. You will contain and control risk by implementing and monitoring health and safety procedures, maintaining compliance and mitigating residual risk.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A degree or equivalent qualification in health and safety management or a related discipline
• A proven track record of enforcing health and safety policies, processes, and procedures in a similar environment
• A sound knowledge of UKHSA health and safety management systems, policies and procedures and the Engineering Policy and Engineering Procedures
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and leadership skills
• A proactive, flexible, and collaborative approach to work
  
  

Location

Based at UKHSA Porton Down – due to the nature of the role, you will be expected to be based on-site on a full-time basis.

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

• Continually develop EEF health and safety management plans, processes, and procedure in compliance with external bodies and broader UKHSA health and safety policy.
• Manage a health and safety audit programme and oversee rectification of non-conformances.
• Maintain a process for validation pertaining to all health and safety aspects of the engineering function.
• Vet sub- contractors’ health and safety policy, processes, and procedures for conformance with UKHSA and Engineering Policy.
• Audit enforcement of safe system of work and ensure all staff comply with the system’s processes and procedures.
• Complete periodic fire risk assessments for the site and update fire plans and evacuation plans accordingly.
• Appoint and train fire wardens and first aiders
• Maintain COSHH manual for the engineering function.
• Ensure all staff have appropriate PPE to carry out their responsibilities safely.
• Escalate health and safety risk to the QA Lead using the risk register tool.
• Oversee training requirements for the EEF team and PMC in relation to health and safety and ensure all EEF staff complete their site safety induction.
• Support and advise the QA Lead and wider EEF team as necessary on health and safety related matters.
• Review accident and incident statistics identify trends and recommend preventive and corrective action. Responsible for the notification of classified major injuries, dangerous occurrences, and reportable occupational diseases to UKHSA Stakeholders and RIDDOR.
• Support in the compilation of management reports and contribute in relation to performance statistics pertaining to health and safety management.

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.

Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1500 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

• National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) Diploma or equivalent
• Demonstrable experience in similar senior health and safety role
• Understanding of risk management approaches, methods, and tools
• Experience in developing health and safety management plans, processes, and procedures
• Knowledge of ISO 45001 and legislative requirements
• Risk-based prioritisation and ability to multi-task effectively, delegating where appropriate

Desirable

• A relevant degree such as environmental health or occupational safety and health or equivalent
• Demonstrable experience in the public sector and good understanding of health and safety compliance and regulatory requirements
• Understanding of maintenance and engineering installations, their operation and maintenance and associated health and safety requirements.
• Meticulous attention to detail

Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.

Benefits

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. 

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW: 

This competition will involve an in-person interview

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. 

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.

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

• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Developing Self and Others
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a quality service
  
  

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 10th March 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.

Shortlist: 15th March 2024

Interviews: w/c 25th March 2024

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

 

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

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.