About the job

Job summary

INTRODUCTION

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards.  We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work. Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

Global Operations

This post is located within UKHSA’s Global Operations division, led by the Director of Global Operations. The Global Operations division supports the delivery of UKHSA’s Global Health Strategy. It provides a corporate service to UKHSA supporting the oversight, coordination and delivery of PHE’s UKHSA’s international activity and working with UK government departments and other UK partners to build and strengthen international public health links. The division also maintains its own extensive portfolio of global health programmes and projects, focusing on capacity building and health system strengthening in partner countries.

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking individuals with project/programme management, public health knowledge and international relations capability, able to demonstrate both UKHSA’s and Civil Services competencies and ways of working.

The IHR Strengthening Project (IHR-SP) has grown exponentially over the last two years and as such the post-holder will work alongside another programme manager and use their existing programme management, global health and public health technical skills to work together to coordinate and facilitate the International Health Regulations Strengthening Project.

The IHR Strengthening Project is an Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded project designed to improve IHR capability in selected countries and regions. The project’s initial implementation phase (2017-2021) has been extended until 2025, with medium and long-term activities taking place through partnerships with National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) in several countries in Africa and Asia.   The IHR Strengthening Project also works with organisations such as Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) and the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) to support regional networks of effective public health institutions, leading to an integrated public health approach across the continent.

The post-holder will be an experienced project/programme manager, with demonstrable international experience, responsible for driving delivery of the project in liaison with the current programme manager, the rest of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the project managers. They will be expected to strategically and operationally lead the project management team alongside a co-programme manager, undertaking regular monitoring and reporting of progress and procurement/contract management where required. In addition, they will ensure accurate financial management and forecasting. The role will ensure that UKHSA’s technical and monitoring and evaluation input is provided to the project, supporting the implementation of project objectives.

The post-holder will require the ability to be able to work in a complex and changing environment. The post will be based at Canary Wharf (initially hybrid working) but will involve some short-term international travel (typically less than two weeks at a time) to partner countries.

The post-holder will line manage a programme support team and work closely with the programme’s technical leads and the current programme manager and report to the Head of the Project.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Management

1. Support the identification of UKHSA and cross-HMG resources, skills, links and current engagement that can be leveraged for this project
2. In collaboration with the project leadership, report and provide briefings to UKHSA corporate board as necessary and external stakeholders/sponsors such as DHSC and the FCDO, team.
3. Ensure accurate and timely programme reporting, synthesising the information to report to the governance structures of the project and funding bodies as required, and – as part of the IHR Strengthening Project Senior Leadership Team (SLT) - to regularly update the Senior Management Team, DHSC and FCDO.
4. Contribute to the IHR Project monitoring and evaluation work.
5. In collaboration with project leadership team and country leads, ensure that workstreams within the project are delivered on time and to quality standards and that robust review and feedback mechanisms are in place to monitor the delivery of the project
6. Ensure regular assessment of risks for IHR project working at both strategic and operational levels, and that there are effective processes in place for surge capacity and mitigation
7. Assist in the preparation and delivery of high level ministerial and executive briefings on the implementation of the project as required
8. Along with the other programme manager take responsibility for overall project performance monitoring and use of resources and initiate corrective action where necessary
9. Line management of IHR Project support team and other staff as appropriate, ensuring staff are working to defined objectives and are adequately supported in their roles
10. Demonstrate excellent leadership qualities and values in both day-to-day operations and in more challenging situations. Cascade a clear vision and translate this into delivery objectives for the team, so that they are both inspired and empowered to deliver.

Culture and Behaviour

1. Support the IHR-SP leadership team to embed the UKHSA values (Impactful, Insightful, Inclusive) across the project to create an impact for change culture establishing shared ownership with respect to dignity and kindness at work.
2. For all areas of work, implement metrics and KPIs to routinely report measures of improvement to the IHR-SP Senior Leadership Team, Project Board, Health Protection Operations and DHSC.

Business Management and Operations

1. Working with the IHR project Managers, Head of Global Health Operations, responsible for ensuring adherence to HR, budget and procurement processes, and the timely and effective spending of project funds that represent good value for money
2. Foster an enabling and empowering culture for staff that supports their learning and development and maximises their opportunities for career progression

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 

Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.  Attending internal / external training events

To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

Other

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 description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow.  This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at London Canary Wharf office. Specialist or regional roles will be based at the appropriate UKHSA site. For certain roles, some additional flexibility may be possible, which will be agreed upon with the hiring manager based on individual requirements and business needs.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of no more than 1,000 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

• Educated to level 7 (postgraduate) in a relevant subject or equivalent level of knowledge and experience of working at a senior level in a related specialist area
• Experience working in health projects or programmes at a senior level and strong project coordination and management experience in an international context
• Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others. Experience of managing and motivating a team and reviewing performance of the individuals
• Experience of effective communication with a range of stakeholders that demonstrates leadership and decision making
• Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines
• Understanding of global health issues, including the health challenges of LMICs and international health architecture knowledge, especially the International Health Regulations
• Previously budget management experience, including budget setting and working knowledge of financial processes
• Ability to manage multiple business opportunities, allocating tasks as appropriate, identifying risks, issues and dependencies, and implementing best practice
• Ability to work across a wide range of stakeholders at senior level with strong relationship building, influencing, negotiating & interpersonal skills, including on operational issues as well as broader public health and global health security issues
• Presentation skills (verbal and written) to a high standard in a range of settings, suitable for presentations to corporate boards, CMO’s and health ministers
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• Successfully completed a recognised project and/or programme management course
• Ability to discretely provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups

Benefits

Working for the UKHSA

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

As part of the application process, you will also be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability in no more than 1,000 words outlining why you will be suitable for the role.

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.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

Please use your personal statement to demonstrate how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for this role, in reference to the essential criteria detailed in the person specification section.

If we receive a large number of applicants, we will do a first sift based on the essential criteria:

1)  Experience working in health projects or programmes at a senior level and strong project coordination and management experience in an international context

2) Ability to work across a wide range of stakeholders at senior level with strong relationship building, influencing, negotiating & interpersonal skills.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

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

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview via Teams.

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. 

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 18/03/2024– 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 date:  TBC

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)

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 meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance. If the candidate does not hold this level of clearance it can be applied for on appointment.

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&Cs 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/

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.