About the job

Job summary

At 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.  

As Project Support Officer, you will be required to work across one or more projects providing a co-ordination and support function to project teams and project managers within the Health Equity & Clinical Governance Directorate.

Location

Role available at all core and scientific locations

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Porton Down, Colindale, Chilton with home working subject to approval.

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.

*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, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working

Job description

Responsibilities section:

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

Specific project delivery duties

• Provide administrative support to the Programme Manager and project team members
• Act as first point of call for project queries, responding appropriately to simple queries and escalating more complex queries to the appropriate manager
• Maintain databases and systems to support the running of the programme
• Ensure provision of high-quality support services including the preparation and dissemination of agendas, minutes, ensuring actions are adequately captured and followed up
• Undertake surveys and analysis relating to projects
• Proofread reports and documents ensuring that high quality outputs are delivered
• Analyse reports results, providing advice and guidance

 Stakeholder engagement responsibilities:

• Maintain stakeholder relationships at all levels
• Work collaboratively with project team members and others to maintain good working relations
• Organise meetings, including sourcing venues and coordinating requirements and attendees

 Line management/matrix management

• Support team members adequately to enable them to focus on the delivery of projects and programmes
  

Quality improvement

• Support quality improvement of products and services
• Work to policies and procedures
• Responsible for making all financial purchase orders
• Responsible for inputting financial information into the organisation’s finance systems and for tracking payments and receipts
  
  

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 the attached job description for a full list of responsibilities

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Well-developed communication skills that result in effective communication with various project teams members and partners
• Experience of working in a changing environment
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office with intermediate keyboard skills
• Able to operate on own initiative, to plan and to organise own workload, with an excellent attention to detail and an ability to prioritise work with tight deadlines
• Ability to work with complex information, comparing and contrasting options
• 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

 Desirable

• First level Project Management Qualification (e.g. Prince2 Foundation)
• Experience of co-ordinating multiple projects / programmes
• Well-developed written and oral communication skills
• An interest and enthusiasm for public health issues

 

Please see the attached job description for a full list of essential/desirable criteria

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%

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 advertised essential criteria – 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 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. 

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

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 18th December 2023. 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: January 2024

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change. 

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.