About the job

Job summary

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Librarian to manage, maintain and develop our Colindale library, based within the Knowledge and Library Services (KLS) team, which is part of the Research, Evidence and Knowledge division of UKHSA. The KLS team provide library, evidence, and knowledge management expertise to support research and development, evidence-based practice, management and business services, with the overall aim of facilitating the translation of knowledge into practice.

Job description

The purpose of the role is to contribute to the management and development of UKHSA’s Knowledge and Library Services (KLS) to support UKHSA business needs, with specific responsibility for the Colindale site. This will include managing staff and collections at the Colindale site, as well as playing a role in the broader development of innovative digital and remote services.

The Librarian will be based at our Colindale site to provide a range of services, including literature searching, enquiries, acquisitions, information skills training, and document delivery. 

The Knowledge and Library Services team provide library, evidence, and knowledge management expertise to support research and development, evidence-based practice, management and business services, with the overall aim of facilitating the translation of knowledge into practice.

The post holder will manage the general running of the Colindale library service, including the assessment of user requirements, online content development, stock selection and service provision, including literature searching, and document delivery. They will collaborate with other UKHSA KLS colleagues in the development and delivery of UKHSA wide services and user training programmes.

A key aspect of the role will be to work with the Senior Knowledge and Library Services Manager to review current services and implement a series of quality improvement programmes to meet quality standards within an agreed timeframe.

Person specification

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Managing the knowledge and library service provided to UKHSA Colindale staff
• Contributing to the strategic development of UKHSA Knowledge and Library Services, reporting to the Senior KLS Manager
• Leading a programme of proactive information science specialist support which meets the needs of UKHSA Colindale users, including literature searching and article delivery
• Promoting subject specialist sources to ensure their efficient exploitation, developing appropriate marketing and promotional activities, targeted to Colindale staff
• Ensuring that the content development needs of UKHSA Colindale users are met, including the sourcing, selection and purchase of new online resources, books, journal titles, and other publications in a timely and cost-effective manner
• Supporting strategic and efficient procurement of specialist resources and use of library space, liaising with stakeholders and Facilities, Operations and ICT staff

Essential criteria

• Significant experience in a health, research, or academic or information service in a professional role
• Knowledge of a range of healthcare resources, including experience in document delivery processes
• Experience of using library management systems, including a range of specific activity-based modules
• Experience of working with a wide range of library users, at all levels
• Skills in information retrieval from relevant sources including bibliographic databases, and online resources from a variety of platforms
• Detail conscious, delivering all tasks both precisely and accurately, to meet deadlines and prioritise own workload
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
• User focused approach to service delivery

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of copyright and other legislation relating to libraries
• Able to deliver user education in using information and evidence resources, including teaching and presentation skills
• Able to travel to other UKHSA sites

Qualifications required

A graduate or postgraduate qualification in a Knowledge and Information Management related discipline such as knowledge management, records management, library and information studies, information rights, information science or information management, including those which have been accredited by CILIP or ARA, or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a library and knowledge services setting.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,716, UK Health Security Agency contributes £11,533 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.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift 

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of 

• A CV/Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• A 1000 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

The CV / Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist.

Shortlisting: we will shortlist on: skills in information retrieval from relevant sources including bibliographic databases, and online resources from a variety of platforms.

 Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered 

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

 Stage 2: Interview 

You will be invited to a remote interview

Behaviours, strengths and technical experience will be tested at interview.

There will be a Technical Test of your information retrieval skills at the interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Interviews will be held week commencing 10 June 2024. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location information 

Please note this role is completely office based and you will be required to go into the  Colindale UKHSA Site in London.  Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site.

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.

Working for the Civil Service:

The Civil Service Code 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. 

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment. 

 It’s important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following: 

• life sentences 
• arson 
• sexual offences 
• hate and terror offences 

Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role. 

 If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available

Starting salary

Entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.  

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.  

Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

For further details please refer to the Information Sheet - Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission. 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.