About the job

Job summary

Librarian

SEO National - £38,724 -£44,393

Based at UKHSA Porton Down – site-based

Permanent Contract

Librarian - Porton Library

Are you passionate about providing high-quality library and knowledge services to support public health research and practice? Do you have the skills and qualifications to manage and develop the Porton Library and its online content? Do you enjoy collaborating with other professionals and delivering user training programmes? If so, you might be the ideal candidate for the Librarian role at Porton Library.

Porton Library is part of the Knowledge and Library Services (KLS) team within the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The Librarian will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the library, including:

• Assessing user requirements and providing tailored services to meet their needs
• Developing and maintaining online content, such as web pages, guides, and newsletters
• Selecting and managing library stock, both physical and electronic
• Providing literature searching and document delivery services
• Collaborating with other KLS colleagues to deliver UKHSA wide services and user training programmes
• The Librarian will also work closely with the Knowledge and Library Services Manager to review and improve the quality and standards of the library services, and to implement operational plans as needed.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A graduate 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, accredited by CILIP or ARA, or significant equivalent experience of working at a similar level in a library and knowledge services setting
• Skills in information retrieval from relevant sources, including bibliographic databases and online resources, using a variety of platforms
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of users and stakeholders
• A proactive and flexible approach, and the ability to adapt to changing user requirements and priorities

This is a site-based role, located at Porton, with direct responsibility for supporting and delivering services to colleagues based there.

Location

Based at UKHSA Porton Down – due to the nature of the post, you will be expected to be based at 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.* 

 

Working Pattern – Full Time, Flexible Working,

Job description

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

Management

• To manage the knowledge and library service provided to UKHSA Porton staff, in line with overall UKHSA KLS management and policies
• Line management of Porton Library staff: currently one Assistant Librarian, and support other UKHSA KLS staff as required
• To contribute to the strategic development of UKHSA Knowledge and Library Services, reporting to the KLS Manager

 

General

• To contribute to the review of KLS, undertaking user surveys and audits as necessary, and adapting services as required in the light of changing user requirements and resources
• To lead a programme of pro-active information science specialist support which meets the needs of UKHSA Porton users
• To ensure that the content development needs of UKHSA Porton 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

 

Finance/Business

• To manage the budget for UKHSA Porton KLS where appropriate
• Manage the administrative systems of UKHSA Porton KLS, including the collection of service data and impact measures

 

Other Resources

• To contribute to the professional life of UKHSA Knowledge and Library Services, and contribute to the promotion of evidence-based practice
• To ensure that skills are kept current by attending courses/study days organised by UKHSA or approved by line manager

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 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

• A graduate 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 significant equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in a library and knowledge services setting.
• Significant experience in a health, research, or academic or information service in a professional role
• Knowledge of a range of health care resources, including experience in literature searching
• 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
• Able to deliver user education in using information and evidence resources, including teaching and presentation skills

 

 

Desirable

• Understanding of copyright and other legislation relating to libraries
• Able to travel to other UKHSA sites

 

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

Alongside your salary of £38,724, UK Health Security Agency contributes £10,455 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

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.  Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to undergo an Information Retrieval Skills Test.  This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment.  The test will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role.  Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

 

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

Behaviours: 

• Changing and improving
• Leadership
• Working together
• Managing a quality service
• Delivering at pace

 

Strengths:

• Motivator
• Organiser
• Relationship Builder
• Resilient
• Responsible

 

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 21st February 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: 23rd February 2024

Interviews: 1st & 4th 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)

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

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

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.