About the job

Job summary

We are looking for two post holders to undertake operational roles as part of the UKHSA Public Inquiry Team. The role will support UKHSA, including legacy organisations Public Health England, NHS Test and Trace and the Joint Biosecurity Centre, working across teams to respond efficiently and effectively to requests from the UK COVID-19 Inquiry.  

Operational Advisors work within Public Inquiry response teams and sometimes lead on bespoke pieces of work in response to or preparation for Public Inquiry modules. You will contribute to the wider success of the Public Inquiry team by playing a full role in developing, maintaining, and improving a culture of continuous learning. You will also contribute to a wider culture of inclusiveness, supportiveness and operational excellence as well as supporting the wellbeing of yourselves and colleagues. 

Location 

Role available at all core and scientific locations with hybrid working available 

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Porton Down, Colindale, Chilton 

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 one of UKHSA's locations (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).  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.  

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.* 

Job description

Responsibilities section:

As a Public Inquiry Operational Advisor your main responsibilities will include:

• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the team and wider organisation to help develop and implement the Public Inquiry
• Preparation Plan and longer-term Response Plan
• Supporting a specific area of the Public Inquiry Team’s work by developing, maintaining and improving systems to support the range of work undertaken, specifically in response to requests from the Public Inquiry
• Providing operational, project, and general records management support, leading on specific projects where appropriate, to enable the Team Leader to effectively deliver objectives
• Working collaboratively with stakeholders, both internally and externally, to help develop and maintain effective working relationships to achieve team and wider objectives
• Developing knowledge by identifying, sharing and promoting practices to create a culture of learning and good practice that supports continuous improvement to optimise delivery.
• Contributing to the effectiveness of the wider team, including helping to set the direction and support the well-being and development of team members

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 review the job description for a full list of roles and responsibilities.

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, you must review this to produce your statement of suitability):  

Essential 

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to tailor messages for the audience 
• Experience of building and sustaining effective relationships with stakeholders 
• Interpersonal skills, and the ability to be an effective team player.   
• Skilled in the Microsoft office suite packages (specifically Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint), as well as having experience of working with the principles of Project Management 
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment. Ability to prioritise effectively, enabling the team to make best use of available resources to deliver the Public Inquiry Preparation Plan 

Desirable  

• Experience of working on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic 

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

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 post will involve an interview by Teams 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.  

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: 

• Making Effective Decisions 
• Communicating and Influencing 
• Delivering at Pace 

Expected Timeline:  

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 12th 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: w/c 19th February 2024 

Interviews: 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) 

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.