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UKHSA scientific laboratories are critical to the detection and analysis of threats affecting the population. To ensure that we can deliver health security and timely response to threat, it is essential to advance our technologies, functions and capacity to implement advances in genomics and emerging applications in proteomics, imaging and analytical technologies into the functions and services delivered by UKHSA laboratories at a timely and effective manner through a transformation function capable of delivering in parallel to the services of specialist laboratories.

The UKHSA Science Strategy makes clear that there needs to be a step-change in our scientific capabilities, of which the microbiology laboratories are a central element. This requires a Transformation Programme for the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories services and this role will lead on development and delivery of that Programme. It is in effect an element of the implementation planning of the Science Strategy and links into the long-term planning associated with the Science Hub Programme and capital projects across the network’s estate. Transformational functions require development, change management and implementation from feasibility to steady state and eventually replacement of relevant/outdated services.

The scope of the role is the planned changes and developments within UKHSA’s microbiology laboratory network and its links with key internal and external partners. The post-holder, will establish the desired change outcomes and design change management programmes. This will include the delivery of state-of-the-art pathogen genomics services across the UKHSA laboratories interacting closely with the UKHSA Pathogen Genomics Programme to ensure strategic objectives are delivered.

The key deliverables are to lead transformation programmes so that UKHSA laboratories continue to be at the cutting edge of science and public health service delivery. These transformations in the microbiology laboratory network, delivering new and advanced analytical services will be prioritised through senior Leadership of Laboratories and Science and in collaboration and joint working with Clinical Public Health and Data Analytics and Surveillance.

The initial focus will be on delivering new enabling genomics services and lead the day-to-day business of the sequencing laboratories to establish a steady state function strategic partnerships with local, national and international organisations, academia, industry and research funding bodies in order to develop a world-class Centre of expertise in Genomics.

The postholder will co-ordinate and lead the Science Group’s input into the Science Hub Programme, pulling together the inputs from across the Group, though especially within the Specialised Microbiology Directorate.

They will be required to oversee the Science Group’s large capital programme within the wider corporate framework for capital projects, and to ensure alignment between this and the work on the Science Hub Programme.

In addition, they will initiate and drive new service innovation projects across the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories Directorate from idea generation to new ventures in close collaboration with stakeholders and within the UKHSA Laboratory function to leverage the full capability and secure hand-over and diffusion of the innovation results for delivery at scale and knowledge transfer.

The formation of the senior leadership team in Specialist Microbiology & Laboratories will determine Site Leads for the three main scientific campus sites and this role may be one of these leads

Key responsibilities will include:

• To Manage any externally commissioned genomics services ensuring delivery is to the correct quality and performance standards
• Take overall operational responsibility for Genome sequencing Services, and provision of services to stakeholders, internal and external
• Support the development of the strategic direction of Genome sequencing service for Bacteria, Viruses, Mycology within the UKHSA’s strategic framework
• Ensure that the Health & Safety of staff is paramount, that the H&S arrangements for the service are of the highest standards, and to work closely with the HSE to address any recommendations that they may have in a timely fashion
• Be accountable for and provide professional and management leadership in the provision of state-of-the-art methodologies including long, short read and metagenomics sequencing, undertaking responsibility for ensuring that all sequencing services and supporting services are validated
• To foster innovation and seek partnerships and collaborations around sequencing nationally, including with health organisations, academia and industry
• Produce guidelines for use and access of genomics services and review operations to ensure agile and responsive approach to support surge and emergencies
• Take responsibility for the upkeep and provision of quality and information systems related to Genomics sequencing Services
• Support and develop the Operations of Genomics Sequencing Services and workforce across the whole system, in line with UKHSA’s remit, to support capability and capacity, including technical and professional skills to meet the challenges involved in protecting and improving the public’s health
• Ensure that the Genomics Operations are at the highest standards of Clinical Governance
• Ensure that all methods are appropriately validated and accredited to appropriate international standards
• Ensure that all statutory and regulatory obligations are met
• Act as budget holder responsible for the financial performance of the Genomics Services
• Take measures to continually develop and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Genome sequencing services
• Ensure the sequencing business and budgetary planning processes are fully in place and functioning effectively, reporting to agreed standards and timescales
• Work with colleagues to identify and ensure the maintenance of business-critical activities, e.g. ensure that there are effective business continuity plans in place and they are tested regularly
• Work with colleagues within and external to UKHSA to ensure surge capacity and national resilience is in place for the sequencing services

Transformational Programme Leadership

• Provide the senior leadership input from across the Science Group into the Science Hub Programme. The postholder will work with the CSO, relevant Directors and Deputy Directors (and their teams) in co-ordinating the contribution from the Group to the planning of the Harlow buildings across the requirements for both building and operating systems and processes. The postholder will be the first point of contact for substantive issues with the Science Hub Programme.
• Provide leadership of the Transformation Programme which articulates a clear and compelling vision of change through the use of evidence-based business cases including sound scientific rationale, financial analysis and resource implications. This includes working with the Director of Science Strategy & Development on the contribution to the Science Hub business case and associated documents.
• Provide leadership to the Transformation Programme ensuring an effective and robust programme and project management culture is established. The postholder will not run all the projects within the Transformation Programme but will work with the project directors to ensure all projects are aligned and contributing to the implementation of UKHSA’s Strategy and Science Strategy.
• Develop and nurture strong, positive relationships with key stakeholders both within Science Group and across UKHSA functions and stakeholders to ensure engagement and delivery of change programmes. Relationships with the Science Hub Programme and with other Groups about the Science Hub Programme are especially noteworthy.
• Ensure excellent and robust governance arrangements are in place across all transformation programmes and projects that support delivery of the UKHSA Strategy and Science Strategy, including in engaging with the Science Hub Programme.
• Provide effective change management leadership and support so that the change vision is delivered using innovative solutions and manage new functions/services through imbedding and until steady state is established.
• Ensure that the Transformation Programme is resourced effectively through project and programme management and through working effectively with business support services. The resourcing of the Science Group’s contribution to the Science Hub Programme is a central part of this.
• Manage transition programmes within specialist labs delivering innovative new functions including genomics, proteomics and serology (as they are developed and implemented).
• Manage Senior Managers, scientists, technologists and Officers who report to this post.

Financial Accountability

• Manage the budget associated with the transformation activities
• Manage the Science Group Capital budget allocations and chair the Science Group Capital Group to ensure the Science Group’s capital is delivered to budget

It is important that through your CV and Statement of Suitability you give evidence and examples of proven experience to deliver against the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuing Professional development

Knowledge and Experience

• Strong leadership capability to drive work across a broad portfolio
• Experience of working at a senior level in a complex environment, managing multiple transformation projects with a range of stakeholders
• Experience in the management of multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of leading and delivering large scale transformational programmes and the ability to convey a compelling and engaging vision of change
• Experience of translating strategy into delivery through plans, programmes, people and culture
• Proven track record of strategically aligning financial resources with people resources, laboratory equipment, ICT and other assets to achieve desired strategic outcomes

Skills/Capabilities/Behaviours

• Excellent communication, influencing and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to build highly effective relationships and partnerships within a complex stakeholder environment to deliver outcomes
• Ability to deliver major and complex change at pace, through obstacles
• Proven skill in people management in mobilising and motivating multi-disciplinary teams to learn, develop and deliver to high standards
• Ability to work positively with stakeholders to achieve outcomes and deliver change through people.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at pace in a fast-changing complex environment to manage competing priorities effectively
• Proven skills in development of creative and innovative interventions to support the organisation and development of a high performing workforce
• Ability to oversee a diverse set of projects and programmes with a wide range of delivery models.
• Strong leadership credibility to ensure effective performance
• Ability to simplify and explain complex issues to a range of audiences
• Highly developed financial acumen to ensure delivery of savings and generation of income where applicable.
• Ability to develop and encourage innovative ideas to drive improvement
• Resilient, tenacious and outcome focussed
• Ability to identify and implement effective systems to monitor performance
• Strong influencing and negotiation skills
• Highly developed interpersonal, advocacy and communication skills to be able to work effectively with individuals and a range of stakeholders

Desirable Criteria

Additional knowledge of the following is preferable but not mandatory:

• Postgraduate qualification such as a PhD in biosciences in appropriate discipline or comparable qualification
• Programme Management Qualification
• Understanding of in microbiology and laboratory services design and delivery
• Knowledge, experience and awareness of the laboratory landscape, particularly within the Public Health Genomics environment
• Experience of overseeing complex commercial relationships, ideally in a health or public sector context
• Experience of implementing or working with innovative commissioning frameworks and approaches.

• 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%

Job contact :

Name :
UKHSA SCS and Clinical Ring Fence Resourcing
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team :

Email :
[email protected]