G6 Head of within R&E Science Group X2 Salisbury, England
Job description
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Fixed Term
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Business Management and Improvement
Operational Delivery
Operational Research
Science
Senior leadership
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About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
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Location
About the job
Job summary
Within Science Group, the current Research & Evaluation division is being restructured and as part of the newly formed Pathogen Characterisation, Diagnostics & Evaluation (PCD&E) division we have 2 Heads of Posts. The post of Head of Virology and Pathogenesis and Pathogen Characterisation on a permanent basis and the Head of Diagnostics, Evaluation and Innovation on an interim basis until 31 July 2023.
1. PCDE: Head of Virology and Pathogenesis and Pathogen Characterisation: is responsible for the leadership and delivery of projects and objectives within Virology and Pathogenesis group & Pathogen Characterisation group.
2. PCD&E: Head of Diagnostics, Innovation and Evaluation: will deliver the different diagnostics requirements across Science group in line with the Diagnostic Strategy including rapid development of diagnostics in response to outbreaks of new and emerging pathogens and Diagnostic Accelerator activity.
Please highlight in the Statement Of Suitability/ Supporting Statement which posts you are applying for.
There will be separate panels and interviews for each individual post.
Job description
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 Pathogen Characterisation Diagnostics & Evaluation department is based at Porton and has approximately 150 staff, performing a range of research activities, including high containment level work. The department’s work covers a broad range of projects involving pathogen characterisation; virology and pathogenesis; diagnostics, innovation and evaluation, and biosafety and environmental microbiology.
The department is part of the UKHSA ambition to be world-leading in capabilities and contribution to vaccines/therapeutics and diagnostics. These two roles will drive forward capabilities with clear leadership.
1. Head of Virology and Pathogenesis and Pathogen Characterisation (VPPC) will lead and deliver projects and objectives within Virology and Pathogenesis group & Pathogen Characterisation group.
The role will work with DD of Diagnostic Development, Evaluation and Pathogen Characterisation and Scientific Leaders to deliver outputs on High consequence infectious diseases to support science strategy, develop new interventions and increase knowledge about zoonotic and emerging HG 3 & 4 pathogens. Head of VPPC will also work with the SL, academia, industry, other government departments and non-profit organisations to strengthen links externally addressing internal gaps in capability and strategic development of the teams.
2. Head of Diagnostics, Evaluation and Innovation will work closely with DD of Pathogen Characterisation, Diagnostics and Evaluation to deliver different diagnostics requirements across Science Group in line with the Diagnostic Strategy including rapid development of diagnostics in response to outbreaks of new and emerging pathogens and Diagnostic Accelerator activity. Locally this includes operational management/support, diagnostic development and implementation for the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL). It will require working across Science Group and other parts of UKHSA along with academia, new and existing commercial contacts in partnerships and income generating projects as well as evaluating diagnostics for UKHSA, NHS, DHSC as required.
Person specification
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%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Experience, Behaviours and Technical Skills
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a Personal Statement / Statement of Suitability (in no more than 1250 words)
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and achievements, and provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined.
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 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised criteria.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single video interview.
All applicants that progress to a blended interview will be assessed against a mixture of Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical Skills will be assessed against the knowledge and experience criteria in the job description.
Eligibility Criteria Text:
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
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.
Salary
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. For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
Flexible Working:
UKHSA offers hybrid working for its employees – this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our UKHSA offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business need and in line with departmental policy. Some business travel will be required to other UKHSA offices. Business travel between base location and any other UKHSA offices will be covered under the UKHSA Travel and Expenses policy. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.
Late applications will not be considered.
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: [email protected].
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 here.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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