About the job

Job summary

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.

We are recruiting for Quality Officers to support the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories at our site in Colindale. You will be supporting the team by maintaining their quality systems, achieving and maintaining accreditation and certification as appropriate, and assist with supporting continual improvement in quality processes in accordance with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

(Please note that your application will be considered for both posts)

Location

This role will be based at UKHSA 61 Colindale Avenue, London, NW9 5HT.

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

As the Quality Manager your main responsibilities will include:

• Undertake quality management tasks delegated by the Quality Systems Manager and the Quality Assurance Managers linked to achievement and ongoing maintenance of accreditation or certification of UKHSA units or laboratories, and wider quality improvement
• Work with others to fulfil the quality related responsibilities and functions of the laboratories or units that the post holder is assigned to
• Review and chase up, and assist staff in completion of, overdue quality actions (including CAPAs eg complaints, nonconformities or quality improvements) under the direction of the Quality Assurance Managers
• Provide practical support in preparation for, and organisation of, inspections by third party assessors, such as UKAS and ISO 9001 assessors, or other external assessors such as commercial organisations or research councils with whom collaborative and contract work is being undertaken, and to progress quality actions arising from these assessments
• Support the audit system by taking on the role of an internal auditor, performing assigned audits and helping others complete their audits to a high standard
• Review and produce quality documentation (eg Quality System Protocols)
• Assist laboratory staff to monitor the performance of suppliers, including audit of key suppliers and contractors as required
• Work as part of the Quality Team within UKHSA Colindale, attending quality team meetings as required
• Assist in the extraction and analysis of data and production of reports, including those for Management Review meetings
• Implement the measuring and monitoring of key process indicators within the laboratory

 

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.

Person specification

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 essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Essential

• Science degree or equivalent in microbiology or a related pathology discipline
• Substantial laboratory experience (greater than two years), preferably working in an accredited medical laboratory
• Understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures
• Familiar with electronic quality management software solutions
• Wide experience of common office software applications e.g Q – Pulse
• Experience of data analysis and preparing reports
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills

 

Desirable

• Postgraduate scientific qualification or demonstrable equivalent experiential learning gained in a medical laboratory environment
• Quality management qualification or relevant CPD
• Experience in applying a range of standards, regulations and guidelines applicable to clinical laboratories
• Experience of performing audit

 

Please refer to the job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities and the essential criteria.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,463, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,305 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 post will involve an interview via video, (onsite interviews may also be an option which will take place at the Colindale office).  

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. 

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.

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

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on Tuesday 23rd July 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 22nd July 2024

Interviews: 6th/13th August 2024

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.