Job description
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
This post is part of the Operations Team who communicate widely with both internal and external stakeholders and service providers to ensure the smooth and efficient running of a busy department.
Working with other managers, this post is to maintain an overview of resourcing, support the evidence base for forward planning and contribute to strategic planning for the two divisions. The post will provide support to the managers and scientists in VDEP and DPC. This includes: new business acquisition and execution; monitoring financial/business performance; headcount management; facilities development/equipment acquisition, etc.
Location
UKHSA Porton Down, SP4 0JG
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working – this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. This role would be based at the Porton site of UKHSA
The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Job description
The post holder will have a varied and active role; by supporting the newly formed Vaccine Development, Evaluation and Preparedness division (VDEP) Diagnostics, Pathogen and Characterisation (DPC) divisions with commercial and financial elements by taking ownership and be subject matter expert in financial resourcing on behalf of the two divisions.
To be a successful candidate you will have relevant degree and/or equivalent experience. You will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work confidently with colleagues at all levels. You must be a good team player who is also capable of working with autonomy and managing your own workload effectively. You must thrive in a process-driven environment but be open and reactive to change and flexible when needed.
Responsibilities section:
- To manage assigned division wide operational duties within VDEC and DPC.
- To take responsibility and lead in the maintenance, improvement and management of assigned systems that ensure business delivery and service provision to VDEC and DPC and its customers. The system includes formulating and executing plans, monitor outcomes, measures and benefits and to reporting all findings to the divisions.
- Take a lead in influencing other departments/service providers to improve/enhance the service they provide to the VDEC and DPC divisions.
- Contribute to and lead on change initiatives as required.
- Establish links and collaborations within and outside UKHSA as necessary to benefit the divisions.
- Assist senior colleagues, leading where necessary in developing the department operational strategy in support of the scientific strategy: executing the strategy, identifying and responding to opportunities as they arise.
- Take lead responsibility for the supervision and training of staff as appropriate.
- Provide reports as required and lead on preparation of presentations, operational publications and liaison via teleconferences with the internal and external colleagues, stakeholders and customer as well as dealing with enquiries as necessary.
- To perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.
- To ensure that the department undertakes work in accordance with the UKHSA’s Code of Safety Practice and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
- To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
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
Essential Criteria:
- PhD or equivalent post graduate experience. Specialist knowledge in appropriate discipline, eg resource management, finance, etc. Management training to degree level or considerable equivalent experience.
- Specialist training/experience in specific methods required for the post e.g. strategic management, leadership, training, planning and delivery, analytical thinking, problem solving and communication, resource management, finance, etc.
- Evidence of management, leading teams and dealing with customers/clients
- Significant experience in areas relevant to the divisions’ operational delivery e.g. management of large complex facility, specialist equipment and capital investment opportunities; human resources including recruitment support, staff skills, PDP development etc.; Quality and Safety including department wide delivery of action and audit plans, KPIs, continuous improvement; Business Continuity and Risk Management; input to facility development and workforce planning; budget monitoring and planning; forward planning of new business opportunities.
- Training staff & presentation and reporting skills.
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information to large and influential groups.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of having worked in a regulated/controlled environment.
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Leadership
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
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form of no more than 500 words. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to a face-to-face interview based at UKHSA Porton Down, Salisbury. Alternatively, a Teams interview can be offered.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW:
All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will undertake a single face to face or remote interview.
All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on their technical experience and a blended interview against a mixture of Behaviours and Strength elements of Success Profiles.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Making effective decisions
- Leadership
- Delivering at Pace
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.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 23rd May 2023 – 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: 30th May 2023
Interviews: W/C 5th June 2023
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&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.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team