About the job

Job summary

The Regional Head of Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response (EPRR) is a pivotal post within the East Midlands and strategically leads the regional EPRR portfolio.  Operating as an autonomous practitioner within professional boundaries, the postholder will assist the regional leadership with the command and control of major and critical incidents.  They are a key member of the regional senior leadership team and work closely with the senior colleagues within the East Midlands and across geographical and organisational boundaries.  This involves understanding complex environments and situations and engaging multidisciplinary stakeholders which is key to integrating the UKHSA region into regional responses to incidents and mutual support activities.

The role is key in ensuring a continued state of preparedness in order that the region/organisation is able to identify, react, respond, and recover from all incidents, hazards and threats both planned and unscheduled ensuring, that where practical, measures are in place to maintain continuity of its core business. The post holder will use their expertise in EPRR and seek to develop and embed good practice by using lessons identified from experiences and debriefs of incidents, exercises and events nationally. They will ensure that EPRR is an integral part of business planning, strategy and operations across the region.

Location

This role will be based in Nottingham.

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 Nottingham office, 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. 

UKHSA offers hybrid working for its employees – Any opportunities for informal hybrid working, including whether a hybrid working arrangement is suitable, will be discussed with you prior to you taking up your post. This will be determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policies for flexible working.

As part of this role you will be required to work some weekends and nights.

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

Job description

Working for our organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of 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.

The Field Services (FS) were established to provide a national comprehensive service which is geographically dispersed and integrates epidemiological, microbiological, infectious diseases and data sciences capacity and skills delivering surveillance and outbreak investigations consistently of the highest quality. FS provides an effector arm for UKHSA, supporting the translation of evidence into practice as well as having a role in strengthening surveillance through closer links with the NHS and other partners. It also provides valuable links to academic centres. FS also provides effective leadership and coordination of the UKHSA applied epidemiology training function.

Main duties of the job

The Regional Head of EPRR is the point of strategic decision making in areas such as policy for local resilience to health emergencies. The postholder will ensure that legal and regulatory requirements that apply to the region are met including training, planning and co-ordination working with NHS England, Local Authorities, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), Local NHS Commissioners, multi-agency partners and the local resilience fora.

Specific duties of the role may vary depending on the site and teams/functions. However, the post holder will be responsible for leading and having comprehensive oversight and responsibility of all EPRR matters across the Region. The post holder will be required to work with colleagues who are based across the country at different sites and/or who work remotely, whilst holding a regional EPRR portfolio.

A full list of duties and responsibilities can be found in the job description.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The postholder will be responsible for delivering tasks in the following key workstream areas:

 See full list in the attached Job Description

• Outbreak Support and Epidemiological Investigations
• Surveillance
• Expert Advice and Evaluation
• Leadership and Management
• Research and Development
• Teaching and Training

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1,250 words (max) that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrable experience of working within a resilience and business continuity role at a senior level or a Level 7 qualification in a relevant subject and able to demonstrate an equivalent level of specialist knowledge.

Desirable Criteria:

• Professional/vocational courses related to EPRR i.e., Business Continuity Certification, Teaching qualification
• Completed Principles of Health Command Training
• Project and programme management qualifications or equivalent experience for example Prince 2, Managing Successful Programmes, Agile PM
• Member of an EPRR professional Body

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

Essential Criteria:

• Substantial senior level Resilience/ Business Continuity experience, with significant operational management experience of a multi-functional team.
• Highly developed knowledge of legislation and guidance in relation to emergency planning, civil contingencies and business continuity
• Significant experience in organisational transformation and business change in a large complex matrix organisation leading large scale or national programmes of work.
• Experience planning and delivering training programmes and large and small scale tabletop and live play exercises including structured debriefing.
• Experience of and in-depth knowledge of emergency service command and control procedures.
• Experience of creating, and utilising organisational governance, risk management and compliance procedures to improve the resilience of the organisation.
• Can demonstrate significant partnership working and the understanding of how and when partnerships should be built, navigating and understanding local, regional and national political positions in order to effect solutions that span across multiple stakeholders

Desirable Criteria:

• Practical experience of applying Resilience and/or Business Continuity Policy and standards to support key work programme deliverables

SKILLS & CAPABILITIES:

Essential Criteria:

• The ability to analyse complex issues and succinctly present concise evaluation and options for a senior audience, in writing and orally.
• Effective leader demonstrates integrity and personal credibility. Strives for excellence, is innovative and creative.
• Ability to draw on established evidence and best practice and to challenge themselves and others to think creatively and seek out and spread innovation to generate new solutions to current and future challenges.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) in a politically sensitive environment and experience of handling complex, controversial and/or sensitive information to a variety of stakeholders with tact, persuasion and diplomacy
• Uses sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to arrive at accurate, expert and professional decisions and advice.
• Interpretation and application of complex policies and decisions, in times of organisational change and in a turbulent and politically driven environment which may be met with resistance.

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY:

Essential Criteria:

• Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgement of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases, and personal triggers; cultural competence – cultural sensitivity and awareness.

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 be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability in no more than 1,250 words. Applicants are strongly advised to use the key responsibilities in the job description and person specification requirements as sub-headings in their application to make it clear how they meet each of the selection criteria.

Please only submit the documents requested and do not add any hyperlinks.

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: 

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 1,250 words.

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

Feedback is not provided at this stage.

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.

There might be a presentation you need to complete as part of your interview, information will be shared with you before your interview.

Expected Timeline: 

Advert close: 23:55pm 25/03/2024 – 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: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

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&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.