Quality Manager
UK Health Security Agency
About the job
Job summary
Job Title – Quality Manager
Profession- Quality
Directorate – Data Operations
Full Time equivalent - 37.5 hours
No of Roles – 1
Contract Type – Permanent
Location – Hybrid Working
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.
*Working Pattern – Full Time / Flexible Working/ Hybrid Working
Grade & Salary – Grade SEO. National banding- £38,724 - £44,393 Inner London –£42,716- £48,068 Outer London - £40,721- £46,231
New 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.
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.
Closing Date – 15/02/2024. 23:55pm. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered
Interview Date – W/C 11/03/2024 or 18/03/2024 Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Job description
The UKHSA Bioinformatics Unit is based in Colindale in the Data, Analytics, and Surveillance Group (DAS). The Unit works closely with other bioinformaticians in the organisation. The main part of the Unit’s work is to design, develop and/or implement fully automated bioinformatics software for the analysis of microbial whole genome sequencing data to support the diagnostic, reference, and research activities. This is an ‘end to end’ service from raw sequence data to reporting of results (e.g., quality metrics, species identification, and presence or absence of specific genes).
The Unit is accredited to ISO standards for its routine services. In addition, the Unit is working with MHRA to ensure we satisfy the new requirements for Health Institution Exemption (HIE) of the EU regulations on Medical Devices, which were updated in 2017 to include software and “apps”
The post holder will play a leading role in the management and upkeep of the Laboratory’s Quality Management System. The post holder will focus on maintenance of UKAS ISO 15189 accreditation status and securely embedding processes and culture of quality management within the group. The post holder will support the Quality Lead in achieving continual improvement in quality processes in accordance with UKHSA policies and procedure.
Main Duties of the Job
- To ensure that processes needed for the quality management system are established, implemented, and maintained.
- Report to the Senior Management team on laboratory policy, objectives and resources on the performance of the quality management system and identify any need for improvement.
- To identify to management any potential conflicts of interest which may impinge on their ability to perform their duties effectively as defined by UKHSA Conflict of Interest Policy.
- Ensure Bioinformatics monitors quality assurance surveys results and feeds back to Management any deficiencies.
- Ensure the promotion of awareness of users’ needs and requirements throughout the laboratory organisation.
- To provide practical support for the preparation for, and manage and organise, assessments by third party assessors, including UKAS. Progress quality issues arising from these assessments
- Developing specialized audits for Bioinformatics services. Organise internal audit programmes and manage the corrective actions which arise.
- developing a strategy for, and implement the measuring and monitoring of, key process and performance indicators
- To provide Quality feedback on laboratory performance with regular communications via emails, reports and presentations.
- Supply data to agreed timescales required by service level agreements and MoUs.
- Undergo any training requirements as required for the post.
- To comply with UKHSA policy and procedures.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:
Internal
- Bioinformatics Unit team members
- Quality Systems Unit and Quality Managers throughout UKHSA
- Head of Quality and Governance Lead
- Data Operations colleagues
External
- UKAS Assessors
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Use appropriate database and software packages, for example for surveys (e.g., Select Survey), the analysis and presentation of data (e.g., Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and production of documentation and reports (e.g., Word, Adobe)
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.
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures
- Implementation of quality systems/accreditation standards
- Familiar with electronic quality management software solutions
- Understanding of the principles of governance
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience of preparing reports
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Excellent negotiating skills
- Excellent organisational skills
- Organised and committed to maintaining a high standard of work
Desirable Criteria :
- Quality management qualification
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Safety management qualification
- Knowledge of GxP requirements
- Experience in working to GxP standards within a clinical laboratory environment
- Experience managing an electronic quality management software system
- Experience of liaising with IT departments in the operation of software products
- Experience of using and setting up databases
- Data analysis & statistical skills
- Experience in project management
- Knowledge of safety management requirements
Experience:
- Substantial laboratory experience, preferably working in an accredited clinical laboratory or Bioinformatics service
- Experience in managing quality in an accredited laboratory
- Experience in applying a range of standards, regulations, and guidelines applicable to clinical laboratories
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £38,724, UK Health Security Agency contributes £10,445 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
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your behaviours regarding Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together, and Delivering at Pace, and experience in managing a quality service.
As part of the application process you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability in no more than 500 words.
This should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the Experience criteria or 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. This will be used in the sifting process and will be scored.
Stage 2: Panel Interview
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on behaviours and experience using the success profiles. The interview will be held remotely via Teams
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Changing & Improving
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating & Influencing
- Working Together
Reserve List:
Candidates who pass the interview criteria but are not offered a post will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months and may be contacted if similar roles become available.
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.
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
DBS - People working with government systems must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks which includes a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed for this role is BPSS clearance and you should familiarise yourself with the criteria of security clearance.
This role is Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants. 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.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Government baseline personnel security standard
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
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.
Contact Details – Sophie.rigney@reed.com
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
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.