Job description

Job responsibilities

Successful applicants will join a new team, Amplify, within the Diagnostic and Pathogen Characterisation Division and work alongside colleagues in the Rare and Imported Pathogen Laboratory and Diagnostic Development and Implementation team. You will be responsible for developing a new testing facility to meet ISO 15189 accreditation standards ensuring validation, maintenance and implementation of responsive, adaptable high throughput molecular testing workflows. As a Senior Biomedical Scientist and Application Specialist you will work with the Facility Manager and other senior team members to establish new testing workflows, protocols and procedures, designing and troubleshooting processes and assays from the ground up and overseeing technical performance.

The Post Holder will be expected to be flexible to the demands of the project area, have excellent communication skills and use their technical experience to ensure the service is delivered on time and remains ready to respond. This will include changing patterns of work to include out of hours shifts when incident or outbreak response mode is activated and research and training delivery in support of wider organisational priorities.

The main responsibilities will include:

• Lead in the adaptation, evaluation and validation of technologies compatible with high throughput testing to enhance the facilitys capabilities and to ensure the project area works to a high scientific standard.
• Lead in the design, implementation and troubleshooting of testing workflows and protocols from sample receipt to result authorisation.
• Provide technical expertise and oversight on the scientific methods employed, including laboratory automation and assay performance.
• Oversee the evaluation, validation and implementation of diagnostic assays as required to meet the needs of the testing service.
• Deliver training to internal and external scientists in support of wider pandemic preparedness activities.
• Perform a range of diagnostic assays and techniques as required to meet the needs of testing provision within UKHSA. This will include diagnostic testing with result validation and sub-contracted testing for research activities.
• Participate in out of hour testing rotas to ensure provision of sufficient testing capacity in line with business needs.
• Line manage junior team members, and ensure effective prioritisation, co-ordination and supervision of work.
• Deputise as appropriate for senior staff and act as head BMS in the absence of the facility manager.
• Supply data to agreed timescales and as required by project contracts and service level agreements.
• Undertake general laboratory duties including disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment.
• Maintain HCPC registration as a condition of employment.
• Fulfil all training requirements as required for the post, including subsequent maintenance of required competencies.
• Maintain high professional standards by continual professional development keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology.
• Ensure all work in undertaken in accordance with the UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to work within ISO15189 quality standards.
• Ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times.
• Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.
• Escalate risks that cannot be controlled to the Facility Manager.
• Fully engage with the performance process, including objective setting and preparing for performance conversations, as described on the UKHSA intranet.
• Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code.
• Comply with all UKHSA policy and procedures.
• Perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Essential criteria

• BSc Degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science discipline
• MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science or relevant experience as a specialist biomedical scientist.
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist.
• Technical knowledge and extensive experience in leading implementation and troubleshooting of molecular laboratory techniques, including RT-PCR, in the diagnostic environment.
• Proven experience working in a diagnostic or reference virology laboratory.
• Experience in leading and managing teams and/or projects ensuring delivery of organisational and departmental goals, with the ability to organise own workload and of those staff often working to tight deadlines.
• Resilience and ability to work at pace to ensure delivery of a highly responsive diagnostic service with an out of hours testing capability.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and experience of handling high hazard pathogens, including Hazard Group 3, SAPO and CTSA agents.
• Previous experience leading technical support for a high throughput PCR testing facility.
• Programming experience and knowledge of data integration and workflows, particularly with laboratory equipment.

Selection Process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed7essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of:

• an application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 1000wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills,experienceandknowledgeprovide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000words. We will not consider any words over1000words.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview in Porton Down. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, experience and technical skills.will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour)
• Changing and improving
• Delivering at pace
• Making effective decisions

Interview dates are planned for w/c 12th and 19th October. Please note these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down, Salisbury. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.

Eligibility criteria

Option 1 - External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorism Check clearance.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour)
• Changing and improving
• Delivering at pace
• Making effective decisions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Scientific Campus

Porton Down, Salisbury

SP4 0JG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Implement quality improvements as appropriate, involving the development of new protocols and procedures Maintain close links between quality and governance arrangements, including leading adverse incident investigation and management Support laboratory staff to perform quality activities and monitor their effectiveness; review current Quality and Governance reports Champion Change Control within the Department Provide expertise and practical support for preparation for, and organisation of, inspections by third party assessors, such as UKAS and certification bodies, commercial organisations, or research councils and to progress issues arising from these assessments and inspections Report directly to the facility manager and RIPL Quality Manager on the performance of the quality management system and identify any need for improvement Ensure participation in suitable EQA surveys and monitor results, feeding back management any deficiencies and working with Technical Specialists and Bench Leads to address any issues Ensure the promotion of awareness of service users needs and requirements throughout the laboratory organisation To provide Quality feedback on laboratory performance with regular communications via emails, reports and presentations Take a leading role in risk management for the department, managing a local risk register and escalating risks that cannot be controlled via appropriate channels Participate in routine and out of hour testing rotas to ensure provision of sufficient testing capacity in line with business needs Deliver training to internal and external scientists in support of wider pandemic preparedness activities, with a focus on how to implement effective QMS for high throughput testing facilities Line manage junior team members, and ensure effective prioritisation, co-ordination and supervision of work Deputise as appropriate for senior staff and act as head BMS in the absence of the facility manager Supply data to agreed timescales and as required by project contracts and service level agreements Undertake general laboratory duties including disposal of waste, equipment maintenance, stock control and ensuring a safe working environment Maintain HCPC registration as a condition of employment Fulfil all training requirements as required for the post, including subsequent maintenance of required competencies Maintain high professional standards by continual professional development keeping up to date with advances in medical microbiology Ensure all work in undertaken in accordance with the UKHSAs Code of Safety Practice and to work within ISO15189 quality standards Ensure health, safety and welfare are afforded priority and demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors and comply with relevant UKHSA health and safety policies at all times Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure Escalate risks that cannot be controlled to the Facility Manager Fully engage with the performance process, including objective setting and preparing for performance conversations, as described on the UKHSA intranet Fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours and the Civil Service Code Comply with all UKHSA policy and procedures Perform any other duties required by the line manager commensurate with grade

Essential role criteria: BSc Hons in a biological science MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science or relevant experience as a specialist biomedical scientist Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist Experience of implementing and overseeing Quality Management Systems in an ISO 15189 accredited diagnostic molecular laboratory Experience of managing change and instigating system improvements from a quality management perspective Substantive experience in a diagnostic or reference virology laboratory, including knowledge and experience of automated high throughput real-time PCR Ability to analyse and interpret information including performance indicators, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues or areas of risk

Desirable role criteria: Technical knowledge and experience in developing and implementing quality systems for automated, high throughput testing workflows, ensuring compliance with ISO 15189 and UKHSA standards and policies

Selection Process Details (Success Profiles)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Experience, Behaviours, Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 1000 word supporting statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV).

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. Please do not exceed 1000 words.

Longlisting: In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswewilllonglistinto 3 piles of:1. Meets all essential criteria2. Meets some essential criteria3. Meets no essential criteriaIf used, the pile Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of: MSc or higher qualification in an appropriate medical/microbiology/biological science or relevant experience as a specialist biomedical scientist Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Biomedical Scientist

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: InterviewSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a face-to-face interview in Porton. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Behaviours and Technical skills will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Managing a Quality Service (lead behaviour) Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Changing and Improving

Technical skills will be assessed by Technical based questions.

Interview dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Additional Information

LocationThis role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level RequirementSuccessful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

Eligibility CriteriaOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary InformationIf you are successful at interview and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Managing a quality service (Lead behaviour)
• Changing and improving
• Delivering at pace
• Making effective decisions

Technical Skills

Essential

• Technical based questions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Scientific Campus

Porton Down, Salisbury

SP4 0JG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Communication and Key Working Relationships

Internal

• Work in collaboration with the Head of the Colindale Sequencing Laboratory, Deputy Head and other staff within CSL, Genomics and Colindale.
• Liaise with other staff within PHM Reference Services and Laboratories and assist and advise other scientists, Biomedical Scientists and trainees working in the group.

External

• To liaise with collaborators and external CSL customers.
• To liaise with staff in other diagnostic and research laboratories outside of UKHSA.

QualityIn collaboration with the Quality Team & local management, to:

• Maintain a high standard of work, and appraise and contribute to developing services so that they are safe, effective, and economical and follow best practice.
• Work towards ensuring an efficient quality management system.
• Contribute to internal and external quality assurance programmes.
• Ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.
• Ensure the continual development and compliance of internal and external audit programmes and corrective actions.

Information Technology

• To use software packages as appropriate for word processing, as well as specialist packages as required.
• To be competent in the use of the Laboratory Information System (LIMS) and use the LIMS system to carry out sample tracking throughout the procedure.

Safety

To agree on safety objectives and to review performance at appraisal, and support the Senior Management Team in performing duties with respect to:

• Ensuring health, safety and welfare of self, staff, and visitors.
• Ensuring relevant UKHSA health and safety policies and laboratory safety committee recommendations and actions are implemented.
• Ensure implementation of remedial actions resulting from safety inspections and audits.

Other

• The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
• It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Personal Development

• You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, while maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
• Identify, discuss, and action own professional performance and training/development needs with your line manager through appraisal/individual development plan.
• Attending internal/external training events.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
• Undertake specialist training in NGS and molecular techniques.

Essential Role Criteria:

• BSc in a relevant biological science
• Knowledge of automated liquid handling
• Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures

Desirable Role Criteria:

• Experience in NGS Platforms
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritise

Selection ProcessDetails

This vacancy is usingSuccessProfiles andwill assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application &Sift

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed 3 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa:

• Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

• 1000wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills,experienceandknowledgeprovide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000words. We will not consider any words over 1000words.

Longlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswewilllonglistinto 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria

1. Meets some essential criteria

1. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event ofa large number ofapplications wemay conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:

• BSc in a relevant biological science

If you aresuccessful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:Interview

Success profilesSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to aface to face interview at our site in Colindale.

If face to face interviewsareplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Experience and Technical skillswill be tested at interview.

Technical skills will be assessed via a technical based question.

Experience will be assessed via an experience based question.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Making effective decisions (Lead Behaviour)
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Working together

Interviewdatesareto be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Colindale. You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Please note, hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can beappointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

Eligibility Criteria

This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Person Specification

Application Form and Supporting Statement

Essential

• Application Form and Supporting Statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Making effective decisions (Lead Behaviour)
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Technical Skills

Essential

• Technical question

Experience

Essential

• Experience question

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Scientific Campus

Colindale

NW9 5EQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The main duties will include:

• Service Transition & Delivery
  • Lead end-to-end service transition activities ensuring new or changed services meet defined entry and exit criteria
  • Embed ITIL-aligned service transition processes, including change, release and knowledge management
  • Ensure service documentation (e.g. support models, runbooks, SLAs) is complete and approved prior to go-live
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Engage with a wide range of stakeholders including programme teams, architects, operations, and suppliers
  • Translate technical service requirements into clear, business-understandable outputs
  • Influence decision-making to ensure supportability and sustainability of services
• Operational Readiness
  • Validate that service support structures, monitoring, and escalation processes are in place
  • Ensure operational teams are trained and prepared to manage live services
  • Support early life support (ELS) and transition into business-as-usual operations
• Risk & Governance
  • Manage risks and dependencies across multiple service transitions
  • Ensure compliance with organisational governance, security and assurance processes
  • Provide reporting and assurance to senior stakeholders on transition readiness
• Continuous Improvement
  • Identify opportunities to improve service transition processes and practices
  • Contribute to continual service improvement initiatives across ITSM functions
  • Promote best practice and knowledge sharing across teamsLeadership (where applicable)
  • Provide matrix leadership across transition activities
  • Support prioritisation and coordination of workloads across multiple services
  • Mentor and support colleagues to build capability in service management practices

This is not an exhaustive list.

Essential criteria

• ITIL qualification (or equivalent) with practical experience in IT Service Management, particularly Service Transition
• Demonstrated experience leading service transition activities for digital or technology services
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence across technical and non-technical teams
• Experience producing and reviewing service design and transition documentation
• Proven ability to identify and manage risks, issues and dependencies
• Experience working with suppliers and ensuring delivery against SLAs and KPIs

Desirable criteria

• Experience coordinating or leading teams (including matrix management)
• Familiarity with ServiceNow or similar ITSM platforms
• Experience in public sector (or a similar large scale organisation), or health environments

Selection process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe 6 listedessentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of:

• an application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 1000 wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000words. We will not consider any words over1000words.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Demonstrated experience leading service transition activities for digital or technology services

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview in our Canary Wharf offices.

Behaviours, experience and technical skills will be tested at interview.

You will be required to prepare a presentation (maximum of 10 minutes) as part of the interview which will assess your technical skills. The presentation will be: Using an example, show how you used ITIL principles to ensure a smooth transition of a new IT service into live operations, while maintaining service quality and minimising risk.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Leadership (Lead behaviour)
• Communicating and influencing
• Delivering at pace
• Making effective decisions

Interview dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs in either Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf).

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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) on-site.

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Eligibility criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check clearance.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Grade 7:

£56,185- £66,581 (National)£58,340- £68,574 (Outer London)£60,494- £70,566 (Inner London)

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Leadership (Lead behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Core HQs

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Plan and carry out initial assessment for a range of clients using an evidence-based and client centred approach to practice following certain work-related accidents and work-related ill health.

Managing own caseload of management referrals for the purpose of sickness absence management through assessment and advising on an individuals fitness to work, rehabilitation and phased return to work programmes, ensuring that appropriate information is provided regarding the Equality Act (2010) including advice on reasonable adjustment to the workplace.

Undertake a range of routine occupational health screening tasks, collect, record and store data accurately.

Assess the need for further information from GP, specialist or previous employer, the need for pre-employment blood tests in accordance with Department of Health and UK Health Security Agency guidelines and gain the appropriate consent. Effectively communicate the staff member's rights under the Access to Medical Reports Act (1998).

Undertake workplace risk assessments, plan and manage work related health problems including making decisions about fitness to work and the need for restrictions or adjustments to the workplace.

About youWere looking for a motivated and compassionate practitioner who thrives in a busy, evolving environment.

Essential: Registered Nurse (NMC Part 1) Qualification in Occupational Health (degree or diploma) Experience in Occupational Health, including management referrals and case management Strong knowledge of health and safety legislation and workplace health risks Excellent communication and report-writing skillsDesirable: SCPHN (OH) registration NHS Occupational Health experience Experience in health promotion, audit or service improvementYoull be confident managing priorities, working independently, and using your judgement to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

What we offerAt West Herts, were committed to supporting our people: Flexible working options and strong work-life balance Generous NHS pension and annual leave A wide range of wellbeing initiatives and staff support services Access to excellent training, development and career progression opportunities A supportive, inclusive culture where our values empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive guide everything we do.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• RN. Registration on Part 1 of NMC register
• Degree / Diploma in Occupational Health.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Desirable

• Part 3 of NMC register - SCPHN -OH

Knowledge

Essential

• Good knowledge of immunisation schedules for healthcare workers
• Experience of immunisation
• Management of blood and body fluid exposures.
• Infection control issues relation to OH such as influenza, infectious disease, contact tracing
• Knowledge of attendance management policies.
• Basic counselling skills
• Case management
• Knowledge of legislation relating to Occupational Health, health and safety, and relevant aspects of employment law, with the ability to apply this in practice.

Desirable

• Experience of NHS Occupational Health Services.
• Knowledge of Health Promotion
• Knowledge of occupational diseases.
• Undertaking risk assessment
• Ability to present to large and small groups.
• Mental health knowledge.
• Understanding NHS financial pressures associated with sickness absence and recruitment.

Experience

Essential

• Post-registration experience as a Registered Nurse, demonstrating continued professional development and application of clinical skills within practice.
• Experience working within an Occupational Health (OH) setting, with an understanding of the scope and function of Occupational Health services.
• Experience of undertaking management referrals, including assessing fitness for work, providing evidence-based advice, and producing clear and concise reports.
• Experience in delivering workplace immunisation and vaccination programmes, including risk assessment, administration, documentation, and follow-up, in line with current guidelines and best practice.
• Experience of working within an NHS Occupational Health department, demonstrating knowledge of NHS policies, procedures and workforce health requirements
• Experience of applying relevant frameworks and guidance, including those from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK Health Security Agency and other relevant external bodies.
• Experience of multidisciplinary working, liaising effectively with managers, HR, infection prevention teams and external stakeholders to support employee health and wellbeing.
• Experience supporting health promotion and wellbeing initiatives within the workplace.

Desirable

• Experience of working in NHS OH department.
• Understanding of framework related to Health and Safety Executive, Public Health England and other external bodies.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

• The Senior Technical Officer will join the Global Health Security team within UKHSA's Global Health Protection Directorate. The team strengthens UK health security by ensuring UKHSA's global-facing work is coherent, evidence-led and supports UK readiness and decision-making. As a strategic and technical function, it supports coordination, prioritisation and delivery across UKHSA's global health security activities.
• The post holder will support planning, coordination and monitoring across the Global Health Security programme, maintaining delivery plans, tracking milestones, managing actions, risks and dependencies, and communicating progress to stakeholders. The role requires a structured approach to programme and project management.
• A core aspect of the role is developing effective relationships across UKHSA, wider government and external partners. The successful candidate will work with senior stakeholders, supporting collaborative delivery and shared objectives across organisational boundaries.
• The role combines coordination with direct technical contribution. The post holder will lead or support high-priority technical work with subject matter experts, developing and quality assuring evidence-based briefings, summaries, reports and papers supporting decision-making and UKHSA's global health security objectives.
• The successful candidate will support governance and senior meetings, including convening meetings, coordinating contributions, preparing papers and records, and tracking actions to completion. The role requires excellent communication skills and the ability to present complex information clearly to senior audiences.
• The post holder will engage with international stakeholders, including multilateral organisations and priority bilateral partners, supporting coherent UKHSA engagement, capturing insights and translating these into practical actions supporting UK priorities. They will work with global strategy and partnership teams to align activity with UKHSA's global and domestic objectives.
• The role includes supporting consistent approaches to delivery, monitoring and reporting, maintaining templates, trackers and tools for programme management, information sharing and organisational learning. The post holder will support continuous improvement, strengthening ways of working and applying lessons learned.
• This fast-paced role requires managing competing priorities, responding to emerging issues and changing deadlines while maintaining quality and professionalism. The post holder may support time-limited projects or surge activities across the Directorate and wider agency. Success will be demonstrated through high-quality outputs, strong stakeholder relationships and improvements in how UKHSA plans, delivers, monitors and learns from its global-facing work. Occasional national and international travel may be required.

Essential Criteria:

• Educated to a minimum of Bachelors degree level or equivalent experience within a health science subject (human health, animal health or environmental health), international development or another relevant field.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships and working collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals, including with senior colleagues and partners
• Significant project or programme management experience, including planning, tracking delivery to milestones and managing actions, risks and dependencies.
• Experience, appreciation and understanding of the public health, wider health or public sector and awareness and interest in international and global health issues
• Ability to work effectively within a team, respecting others and learning from their contributions, with a strong commitment to equality, equity and inclusive ways of working (including cultural sensitivity and self-awareness).
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills (oral and written), including drafting clear briefings and written product, and quality-assuring contributions from others for senior audiences.
• High level of IT literacy in MS Office software packages

Desirable Criteria:

• Understanding of UK government departments and intergovernmental organisations involved in global health activities
• Demonstrable global health or international health project delivery experience including working with government departments and international partners at all levels
• Demonstrable experience supporting senior governance processes, including commissioning inputs, drafting high-quality papers/records for senior decision makers, and tracking actions through to completion.
• Experience working in a matrix environment, coordinating delivery across multiple teams without direct line management authority.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications,knowledgeand experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Competency Based

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 750word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experienceand knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than750words. We will not consider any words over750words.

Longlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplications,we will longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria

1. Meets some essential criteria

1. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event ofa large number ofapplications we will conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:

• Significant project or programme management experience, including planning, tracking delivery to milestones and managing actions, risks and dependencies.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships and working collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals, including with senior colleagues and partners.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and communication skills (oral and written), including drafting clear briefings and written product, and quality-assuring contributions from others for senior audiences

Desirable criteria may be usedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Competency Based

You will be invited to a singleremoteinterview

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

There will be a Technical Presentation.

You will be asked to deliver a presentation lasting no more than 5 minutes on the following topic: An emerging international health threat has been identified which may have implications for UK health security. In 5 minutes, explain how UKHSA should assess and respond to this issue, including how global intelligence should be translated into UK readiness and decision-making.

Interview dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our core HQ in London (10 South Colonnade). We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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 our office. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.

Eligibility Criteria

This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

£46,310- £52,113 (Inner London)

Person Specification

Application Form and Supporting Statement

Essential

• Application Form and Supporting Statement

Technical Presentation

Essential

• Technical Presentation

Behaviours

Essential

• Managing a Quality Service(Lead behaviour)
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Seeing the Bigger Picture

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Core HQ

London (10 South Colonnade)

E14 4PU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Plan and carry out initial assessment for a range of clients using an evidence-based and client centred approach to practice following certain work-related accidents and work-related ill health.

Managing own caseload of management referrals for the purpose of sickness absence management through assessment and advising on an individuals fitness to work, rehabilitation and phased return to work programmes, ensuring that appropriate information is provided regarding the Equality Act (2010) including advice on reasonable adjustment to the workplace.

Undertake a range of routine occupational health screening tasks, collect, record and store data accurately.

Assess the need for further information from GP, specialist or previous employer, the need for pre-employment blood tests in accordance with Department of Health and UK Health Security Agency guidelines and gain the appropriate consent. Effectively communicate the staff member's rights under the Access to Medical Reports Act (1998).

Undertake workplace risk assessments, plan and manage work related health problems including making decisions about fitness to work and the need for restrictions or adjustments to the workplace.

About youWere looking for a motivated and compassionate practitioner who thrives in a busy, evolving environment.

Essential: Registered Nurse (NMC Part 1) Qualification in Occupational Health (degree or diploma) Experience in Occupational Health, including management referrals and case management Strong knowledge of health and safety legislation and workplace health risks Excellent communication and report-writing skillsDesirable: SCPHN (OH) registration NHS Occupational Health experience Experience in health promotion, audit or service improvementYoull be confident managing priorities, working independently, and using your judgement to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

What we offerAt West Herts, were committed to supporting our people: Flexible working options and strong work-life balance Generous NHS pension and annual leave A wide range of wellbeing initiatives and staff support services Access to excellent training, development and career progression opportunities A supportive, inclusive culture where our values empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive guide everything we do.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• RN. Registration on Part 1 of NMC register
• Degree / Diploma in Occupational Health.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

Desirable

• Part 3 of NMC register - SCPHN -OH

Knowledge

Essential

• Good knowledge of immunisation schedules for healthcare workers
• Experience of immunisation
• Management of blood and body fluid exposures.
• Infection control issues relation to OH such as influenza, infectious disease, contact tracing
• Knowledge of attendance management policies.
• Basic counselling skills
• Case management
• Knowledge of legislation relating to Occupational Health, health and safety, and relevant aspects of employment law, with the ability to apply this in practice.

Desirable

• Experience of NHS Occupational Health Services.
• Knowledge of Health Promotion
• Knowledge of occupational diseases.
• Undertaking risk assessment
• Ability to present to large and small groups.
• Mental health knowledge.
• Understanding NHS financial pressures associated with sickness absence and recruitment.

Experience

Essential

• Post-registration experience as a Registered Nurse, demonstrating continued professional development and application of clinical skills within practice.
• Experience working within an Occupational Health (OH) setting, with an understanding of the scope and function of Occupational Health services.
• Experience of undertaking management referrals, including assessing fitness for work, providing evidence-based advice, and producing clear and concise reports.
• Experience in delivering workplace immunisation and vaccination programmes, including risk assessment, administration, documentation, and follow-up, in line with current guidelines and best practice.
• Experience of working within an NHS Occupational Health department, demonstrating knowledge of NHS policies, procedures and workforce health requirements
• Experience of applying relevant frameworks and guidance, including those from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK Health Security Agency and other relevant external bodies.
• Experience of multidisciplinary working, liaising effectively with managers, HR, infection prevention teams and external stakeholders to support employee health and wellbeing.
• Experience supporting health promotion and wellbeing initiatives within the workplace.

Desirable

• Experience of working in NHS OH department.
• Understanding of framework related to Health and Safety Executive, Public Health England and other external bodies.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Watford General Hospital

Watford

WD18 0HB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main duties

Clinical Leadership

Provide highly specialist infection prevention and control advice to staff across the Trust.

Promote best practice and evidence-based infection prevention and control measures.

Act as an expert resource for complex infection prevention and control issues.

Undertake daily surveillance and review of microbiology and pathology results via the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), identifying healthcare-associated infections, alert organisms, clusters and emerging trends, and ensuring appropriate infection prevention and control actions are implemented in a timely manner.

Support clinical teams in reducing healthcare-associated infections and improving patient outcomes.

Provide visible leadership in promoting safe practice and a positive patient safety culture.

Specialist Infection Prevention and Control Practice

• Lead and participate in infection prevention and control inspections, assurance audits and governance across all Trust services.
• Participate in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) rounds with the Antimicrobial Lead and the Antimicrobial Specialist Pharmacist.
• Monitor compliance with national standards, Trust policies and regulatory requirements.
• Support compliance with the Health and Social Care Act, Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards and national infection prevention requirements.
• Prepare reports and assurance documentation for Trust governance committees.

Education, Professional Development and Workforce Capability

• Act as a senior clinical educator for infection prevention and control across Whittington Health.
• Work with the team in the development, implementation and evaluation of the Trust's infection prevention and control education and training strategy.
• Design, deliver and evaluate infection prevention and control teaching programmes for all staff groups, including registered professionals, support workers, medical staff, students, volunteers and contractors while ensuring that education programmes reflect current legislation, national guidance, evidence-based practice and Trust priorities.
• Provide specialist education during outbreaks, incidents and emerging infection threats to ensure staff maintain safe and effective practice. Utilise audit findings, surveillance data, incident investigations and patient safety learning to inform educational programmes and improve practice.
• Support the development and sustainability of Infection Prevention and Control Link Practitioner programmes across all clinical areas.
• Contribute to the assessment and validation of staff competencies relating to infection prevention and control practice.
• Work collaboratively with the Practice Education Team, Clinical Leads, Professional Leads and Divisional Teams to identify learning needs and develop targeted educational interventions.
• Promote a culture of continuous professional development, reflective learning and evidence-based practice throughout the organisation.

Surveillance and Reporting

• Lead on the surveillance activities relating to healthcare-associated infections.
• Analyse surveillance data and identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Produce regular reports for clinical divisions, senior management and governance committees.
• Contribute to achievement of Trust infection reduction targets and quality objectives.
• Utilise electronic surveillance systems and digital reporting tools to monitor infection prevention and control performance.
• Interpret complex data sets and present findings in an accessible format to clinical and management teams.
• Develop data-driven recommendations to support quality improvement and patient safety.

• Act as a clinical specialist for infection prevention and control audit and assurance activities across Whittington Health.
• Develop, coordinate and implement the Trust-wide IPC audit programme to ensure compliance with local and national standards.
• Lead and participate in audits relating to:
  • Hand hygiene.
  • Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions (SICPs).
  • Transmission-Based Precautions.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • Isolation practices.
  • Environmental cleanliness.
  • Invasive device management.
  • Aseptic technique.
  • Decontamination and equipment management.
• Analyse audit findings, surveillance data and compliance reports to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Produce comprehensive audit reports and assurance summaries for clinical divisions, governance groups, the Infection Prevention and Control Committee (IPCC) and Trust Board reporting structures.
• Develop and monitor action plans arising from audit findings, inspections, incidents and outbreaks.
• Support clinical teams to implement audit recommendations and achieve measurable improvements in compliance and patient safety outcomes. Provide expert advice and challenge where audit findings identify non-compliance or unsafe practice.
• Contribute to organisational preparedness for internal and external inspections, including CQC visits and PLACE-based partnership reviews.
• Support the development of audit tools, performance indicators and assurance frameworks aligned to national guidance and Trust priorities.
• Utilise quality improvement methodologies to support sustainable changes in practice and reduce healthcare-associated infections.
• Ensure lessons learned from audits, outbreaks, incidents and investigations are disseminated effectively and embedded into clinical practice.
• Work collaboratively with divisional leads, matrons, ward managers and governance teams to promote continuous improvement and demonstrate assurance against statutory and regulatory requirements.

Incident and Outbreak Management

• Lead and coordinate infection prevention and control responses to outbreaks, incidents and clusters.
• Undertake and contribute to post infection reviews (PIR) and serious incident investigations (SII).
• Participate in outbreak control meetings and implement agreed actions.
• Escalate infection prevention risks appropriately and support organisational risk management processes.
• Liaise with UK Health Security Agency and other partner organisations when required.

Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Lead and participate in quality improvement projects aimed at reducing infection risks.
• Contribute to the development and review of IPC policies, procedures and guidance.
• Support implementation of national guidance and emerging evidence.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative approaches to infection prevention.

Strategy, Policy and Governance

• Contribute to the development, delivery and evaluation of the Trust Infection Prevention and Control Strategy and Annual Programme.
• Lead on the implementation of national infection prevention and control guidance and regulatory requirements across the organisation.
• Develop, review and update Trust infection prevention and control policies, procedures and guidance documents.
• Support organisational compliance with the Health and Social Care Act Code of Practice.
• Contribute expert specialist advice to Trust governance committees and working groups.

Research and Evidence-Based Practice

• Critically appraise emerging evidence and best practice guidance relating to infection prevention and control.
• Support and participate in research, service evaluation and quality improvement projects.
• Promote evidence-based practice across all clinical and non-clinical settings.
• Disseminate learning from research, audits, outbreaks and incidents to improve patient outcomes.

Leadership and Management

• Deputise for the Operational Lead Nurse for Infection Prevention and Control when required.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and support to junior members of the IPC team.
• Support appraisal, supervision and professional development processes.
• Represent the IPC Team at Trust meetings, working groups and external forums.
• Contribute to strategic planning and development of the IPC service.

Communication and Collaborative Partnership

• Communicate complex, sensitive and potentially contentious information effectively.
• Influence and challenge practice where infection prevention and control standards are not met.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with medical, nursing, allied health, pharmacy, estates, facilities, operational and community teams.

Revalidation and registration

It is the responsibility of all staff registered with a professional body to:

Act within the Professional Bodies Code of Practice

Maintain their own work profile to ensure revalidation standards are met and assist junior registered staff in achieving revalidation.

Contribute and participate in the development of colleagues professional practice across the trust through leading ward and/or department projects and supporting training.

Ensure optimum use is made of working time.

In addition to the standard Trust requirements, the post holder will:

• Maintain active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Comply with the NMC Code and associated professional standards.
• Maintain evidence for revalidation and continuing professional development.
• Act as a role model for professional practice and support colleagues in meeting revalidation requirements.
• Maintain specialist knowledge of infection prevention and control through ongoing education and professional development.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration
• Degree in Nursing or related healthcare subject
• Evidence of Level 7 academic study or equivalent specialist experience in Infection Prevention and Control
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Teaching, mentorship or assessing qualification

Desirable

• Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control
• Master's degree or working towards Master's level
• Leadership or management development training

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Ability to provide specialist IPC advice across a range of services
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to analyse and interpret complex data and surveillance reports
• Ability to design, deliver and evaluate educational programmes for multidisciplinary staff groups.
• Ability to challenge and influence practice in all organisational levels
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently
• Ability to lead investigations and formulate action plans
• Ability to manage complex situations requiring negotiation and diplomacy
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Significant experience of leading IPC audits within acute and community healthcare settings including developing, implementing, and monitoring action plans following audits and inspections
• Experience in analysing and presenting complex audit and surveillance data to support quality improvement programmes and demonstrating measurable outcomes
• Experience in analysing and presenting complex audit and surveillance data to support quality improvement programmes and demonstrating measurable outcomes
• Advanced IT skills including Microsoft Office applications

Desirable

• Excellent facilitation, coaching and presentation skills
• Project management skills

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• Significant post-registration nursing experience
• Extensive experience working within Infection Prevention and Control services
• Experience in developing policies, guidelines or standard operating procedures
• Experience of HCAI surveillance and reporting
• Experience of audit, governance and quality improvement activities
• Experience of outbreak and incident management
• Significant experience in delivering education, training and competency assessment within healthcare settings.
• Experience developing and implementing learning programmes that improve clinical practice and patient safety.
• Experience of post-infection review (PIR) analysis and incident investigations
• Experience presenting assurance reports and support CQC inspections or equivalent external assurance reviews.
• Detailed knowledge of IPC legislation, standards and guidance
• Knowledge of microbiology relevant to infection prevention and control
• Knowledge of antimicrobial stewardship principles
• Experience in supporting workforce development and practice improvement initiatives.

Desirable

• Experience of leading Trust-wide improvement initiatives
• Acute and community NHS experience

Personal qualities

Essential

• Professional credibility and integrity
• Strong leadership qualities
• Commitment to patient safety and quality improvement
• Ability to work collaboratively across professional boundaries
• Resilient and adaptable approach to work
• Ability to challenge constructively and professionally
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Self-motivated and proactive

Desirable

• Willing to travel to Whittington Health Community sites as required
• Ability to respond flexibly to infection incidents and outbreaks

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Whittington Health

Magdala Avenue

London

N19 5NF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) to join our HPC & SRE engineering team. As an SRE, you will play a critical role in ensuring the stability, scalability, and performance of our services. You will combine software engineering and systems engineering to build, improve and run reliable, scalable production systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Service Reliability & Performance

• Ensure services are stable, scalable, and performant through engineering best practices and system design.
• Proactively identify and address system bottlenecks using advanced problem-solving and performance tuning techniques.
• Conduct capacity planning and implement solutions to ensure systems can support current and future workloads.

Incident Response & Troubleshooting

• Respond swiftly to production incidents, ensuring minimal downtime and quick restoration of services.
• Perform root cause analysis and postmortems, implementing lessons learned to prevent recurrence.

Monitoring, Alerting & Observability

• Contribute to the design and implementation of effective monitoring and alerting systems using tools and dashboards.
• Improve observability of services, ensuring issues are identified and addressed before impacting users.
• Continuously refine monitoring practices to reduce alert fatigue and improve response times.

Automation & Tooling

• Develop automation to eliminate manual, repetitive tasks and improve operational efficiency.
• Write clear, maintainable, and well-tested code to support automation efforts and system tooling.
• Drive initiatives to reduce operational toil and improve reliability through Infrastructure as Code (IaC).

Service Level Objectives (SLOs) & Operational Improvements

• Contribute to the definition, tracking, and continuous improvement of SLOs, SLIs, and error budgets.
• Identify and prioritize operational improvements that align with business goals and user experience.

SRE Best Practices & Advocacy

• Helping to evangelize SRE principles across the organization.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to integrate reliability practices into the development lifecycle.

Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

• Work closely with software engineering, DevOps, and infrastructure teams to streamline deployment and operational workflows.
• Improve cross-functional collaboration and promote a culture of shared responsibility for service reliability.

Documentation & Training

• Maintain accurate technical documentation, runbooks, and post-incident reports.
• Provide training and mentorship to engineering teams on best practices and tools.

This list is not exhaustive .

Essential Criteria:

• Experience as a Site Reliability Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Operations Engineer or similar role
• Coding skills in programming/scripting languages such as Python, PowerShell or Bash
• Understanding of Linux/Unix & Windows systems, networking, and distributed systems
• Experience with observability tools (e.g., Prometheus, Grafana, Datadog) and alerting systems
• Understanding of infrastructure automation (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, PowerShell, Helm)
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Possesses problem solving skills and the ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands

Desirable criteria:

• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) and container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes)
• Experience with post-incident reviews
• Previous involvement in driving adoption of SRE practices across an organization
• Experience delivering training or mentoring junior engineers

Selection ProcessDetails

This vacancy is using SuccessProfiles andwill assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application &SiftSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed 7 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa:

• Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

• 1000 wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills,experienceandknowledgeprovide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswewilllonglistinto 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria

1. Meets some essential criteria

1. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event ofa large number ofapplications wemay conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:

• Experience as a Site Reliability Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Operations Engineer or similar role

Desirable criteria maybeusedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:InterviewSuccess Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a face to faceinterview at Canary Wharf. London.

If face to face interviewsareplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours and technical skills will be tested at interview through questioning and a presentation.

There will be a Presentation required, the subject being:

Automating a complex operational process.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Changing and improving. (Lead behaviour)

• Working together.

• Managing a quality service.

• Delivering at pace.

Interviewdatesareto be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at one of our Core HQ's or Scientific Campuses.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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 core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London), or scientific campus sites (Colindale, Porton or Chilton).

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. UKresidency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

Eligibility Criteria

External:This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the CivilService as well as internal applicants.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

• £41,983- £48,128 (National) (+MPS of up to £5,000 per annum, pro rata)
• £44,148- £50,121 (Outer London) (+MPS of up to £5,000 per annum, pro rata)
• £46,310- £52,113 (Inner London) (+MPS of up to £5,000 per annum, pro rata)

Market Pay Supplement (MPS) is offered for this role of up to £5,000 per annum, pro rata. This is due to be reviewed 31/3/27. The amount offered in MPS will be dependant on the postholder's capability level. Each post holder would be assessed on entry to the civil service with the majority being placed on the lowest award unless clear evidence can be provided of higher capability level. The MPS bands are:

• Developing - up to £2,500 per annum, pro rata
• Proficient - up to £3,500 per annum, pro rata
• Accomplished - up to £5,000 per annum, pro rata

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Changing and improving. (Lead behaviour)
• Working together.
• Managing a quality service.
• Delivering at pace.

Technical questions

Essential

• Technical questions

Presentation

Essential

• Presentation

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Core HQ or Scientific Campus

Birmingham, Chilton, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Porton

E14 4PU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The day to day duties will include:

• Service delivery
  • To receive, sort, unpack, label and process specimens in the laboratory.
  • To assist in the provision and organisation of safe, timely, high quality and economical CL2 and CL3 microbiological, serological, and molecular laboratory duties, guided by standard operating procedures (SOPs) within GBRU
  • To undertake DNA-based detection and typing for a range of pathogens with assays and techniques such as real-time polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing (WGS)
  • To analyse and validate clinical and reference-based results, support the senior scientists in dealing with laboratory queries and maintain professional registration.
  • Assist in providing a flexible laboratory response to emergency public health needs including investigation of incidents, of deliberate release of pathogenic organisms and to general investigations of illness as appropriate.
  • Assist with evaluation and implementation of new techniques / methods to the unit that enhance effectiveness of the laboratory work.
  • Writing and updating SOPs and controlled documentation.
  • To provide technical support to GBRU Reference Services as appropriate including adjusting day-to-day work priorities to meet changing demands or emergency requirements.
  • Writing and updating SOPs and controlled documentation.
  • Assist senior staff in the management of supporting staff across GBRU and deputise for the HEO when required.

• Health and SafetyIn collaboration with the GBRU Safety Officer and complying with UKHSA safety policies and procedures to:
  • Ensure that health, safety and welfare is an afforded priority over other issues and to demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, all staff and visitors in the unit
  • Assist in maintaining a safe working environment within the unit ensuring risk assessments and COSHH are carried out as and when required and safety policy is adhered to
  • Report all accidents and incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions and assist in taking remedial action
  • Participate in the internal and external safety audits as required and implement any arising corrective actions
  • Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the UKHSA on any matters of health and safety.

• Information Technology
  • Entry of results into LIMS system and liaison with senior staff in sending laboratory reports.
  • Answering telephone queries.
• Quality
  • Maintain a high standard of work and contribute to developing the service of the laboratory so that service delivery is safe effective and economical and follows best practice according to ISO15189 and 17025 standards.
• Staff Management and Training
  • Train and supervise other staff, visitors and students.Support Services & Equipment
  • Oversee the service and maintenance of equipment
  • Ensure performance checks on equipment are performed and to take appropriate corrective action if equipment fails to meet specification.
• Strategy, Policy and Service Development
  • Contribute to GBRU strategic policies and encourage innovations and develop practices that enhance the effectiveness of the sections work

This is not an exhaustive list.

Essential criteria

• BSc in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent level of qualification and experience
• Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 2
• Good experience and knowledge of multiple laboratory techniques including phenotypic and molecular methods
• Good understanding of quality assurance principles and procedures
• Independent thinker with demonstrated good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills
• Use of micropipettes, sub-culturing organisms - good manual dexterity - work by paying attention to detail
• Able to work without supervision - ability to prioritise work in a timely manner - good organisational skills

Desirable criteria

• HCPC registration
• Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 3
• Experience of writing SOPs
• Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend an appropriate course of action to address the issues
• Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis

Selection process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours and experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed7essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of:

• an application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 1000wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills,experienceandknowledgeprovide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000words. We will not consider any words over1000words.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• BSc in Microbiology or relevant biological science or equivalent level of qualification and experience
• Experience and knowledge of working in a microbiology laboratory at containment level 2

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview in Colindale, London.

Behaviours and experience will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Working together (Lead behaviour)
• Making effective decisions
• Managing a quality service

Interviews will be held week commencing 12th October 2026. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is lab based in Colindale, London. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.

Eligibility criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorism Check clearance.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Working together
• Making effective decisions
• Managing a quality service

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Scientific Campus

Colindale, London

NW9 5EQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Laboratory

• To read and interpret cultures and determine the antibiotic susceptibility and identification of microorganisms
• Utilising Bacteriology techniques, to work competently in all sections of the Bacteriology Laboratory
• To be aware of anomalous results, recognising these when they occur and reporting them appropriately
• To adhere to laboratory SOPs
• To organise the work of the allocated area in the laboratory and to keep up to date with SOP changes
• To maintain a high standard of professional competence in the performance of all tests and investigations carried out in the Laboratory.
• To maintain a high standard of technical skill
• To ensure important or unusual results are drawn to the attention of senior staff and/or Medical staff, and to report complaints and anomalies as soon as possible.
• To deputise for more senior staff as required.
• To ensure that consumable supplies within the area of responsibility are maintained and to record batch numbers and QC data as required.
• To ensure a sound knowledge of the laboratory IT system, and to perform data entry, specimen and result enquiry and entry of results.
• To be competent to work, in rotation, in Bacteriology sections and to be flexible in regularly covering vacancies in other sections.
• To demonstrate a good understanding of basic microbiology, and to maintain and develop scientific knowledge. Also to undergo further training as may be necessary and available.
• To take responsibility for equipment and automated processors in the area of work, identifying any problems, troubleshooting and bringing them to the attention of senior staff.
• To take responsibility for equipment and automated processors in the area of work, identifying any problems, troubleshooting and bringing them to the attention of senior staff.
• To communicate effectively with all members of the Infection Sciences team and other health care professionals as appropriate.
• To ensure the agreed quality standards of service are maintained.
• To respond accordingly to changes in laboratory protocols.
• To be able to interpret and report on routine and specialist Bacteriology laboratory tests, in accordance with laboratory protocols and commensurate with grade.
• To liaise with medical, scientific and senior BMS staff in all matters relating to the diagnosis of infection.
• To perform and monitor quality control tests, to record results and bring any anomalies to the attention of Senior BMS staff as soon as is practicable.
• Where appropriate, to assist with research and/or audit projects.
• To assist in the production and dissemination of laboratory reports, data and statistics, including the issuing of preliminary results by phone or computer, and being aware of priorities of reports.
• To process, report and interpret NEQAS samples in accordance with SOPs.

Safety

• To attend mandatory fire, manual handling training, etc.
• To observe the immunisation policy of the laboratory.
• To report any accidents to a senior member of staff.
• To ensure that work on all samples and cultures is performed at the appropriate Containment level.
• To update knowledge by attending relevant courses and reading current textbooks and journals.
• To use equipment in a safe and responsible manner.

Other

• The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.
• To undertake any reasonable task delegated by a senior member of staff, commensurate with the grade.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
• It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Professional development

• You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, whilst maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
• Completion of an IBMS Specialist Portfolio or equivalent experience is required for employment at Band 6.

This list is not exhaustive.

This role is advertised at Band 6; however, we may also consider appointments at Band 5 where appropriate. The Band 5 salary range is £32,073 to £39,043.

All appointments will be made strictly in merit order based on assessment results. Candidates who meet the required standard for Band 6 will be considered for appointment to Band 6 roles in merit order. Where no Band 6 vacancies are available, candidates who have been found appointable may also be considered for suitable Band 5 opportunities, in merit order.

Candidates who do not meet the required standard for Band 6 may only be considered for Band 5 where they have been assessed against the Band 5 requirements, found appointable at that grade, and this possibility has been communicated as part of the recruitment campaign.

To be considered for appointment at Band 6, candidates must hold either the IBMS Specialist Diploma in Medical Microbiology (or equivalent qualification recognised by the IBMS) or IBMS Fellowship in Medical Microbiology.

Essential criteria

• Biomedical Science (BMS) degree or equivalent academic achievement ratified by the IBMS
• State registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) in accordance with HCPC guidelines
• Experience of using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Technically adept at relevant laboratory procedures
• Able to organise less qualified staff
• Skills for communication on complex information, requiring developed interpersonal and oral/ written communication skills
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload with minimal supervision working to tight and often changing timescales

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications,knowledgeand experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 9 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1250 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experienceand knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1250 words. We will not consider any words over 1250 words.

Longlisting

In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswe will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event ofa large number ofapplications we may conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:

• State registration with The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB. If face to face interviewsareplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Southmead Hospital, Bristol. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

• AfC Band 6: £39,959-£48,117 per annum, pro rata
• AfC Band 5: £32,073£39,043 per annum, pro rata

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Interview - Essential criteria

Essential

• Questions on Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Southmead Hospital

Bristol

BS10 5NB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Your main duties will include:

• Laboratory and Equipment Management
  • To be responsible for implementation, management and maintenance of the VEU laboratory and equipment management systems.
  • To perform an active role in the procurement (Design Qualification) for new equipment.
  • To manage and coordinate the Units laboratory and equipment to all established equipment qualification requirements in terms of servicing, maintenance, calibration and validation arrangements.
  • To manage the Units laboratory and equipment records.
  • To liaise with the relevant agencies and companies regarding laboratory and equipment issues including the needs and requirements of users.
  • To provide help and advice to VEU Section Heads on laboratory and equipment management matters.
  • To identify areas and particular projects that have the potential for improvement to laboratory and equipment, to the benefit of the service provided by the Units.
  • To arrange for the issue, and maintenance, of relevant SOPs, policies and procedures.
  • To provide and collate information periodically for management review.
  • To participate in, liaise with and follow up on external inspections, correspond with accreditation agencies and verify the completion of corrective actions as required by the reports of the inspectors.
  • To develop and maintain effective communication on all laboratory and equipment issues.
  • To be aware of, and ensure compliance with, any relevant statutory requirements, standards and legislation.
  • To participate, where appropriate, in local management meetings, assisting with decision making and policy implementation.
  • To be proficient in data extraction and production of reports, including the use of spreadsheets to provide statistical information on laboratory and equipment.
  • To work fully with the VEU, MMMP IT Manager, MMMP Quality Manager and others to enable provision of a robust service within the MMMP, applying escalation and contingency procedures as appropriate.
  • To suggest and implement improvements to Unit policies and procedures.
  • To ensure that personal work activity is managed to make effective use of time and maintain an adequate supply of consumables.
  • To assist in the supervision of qualified and unqualified staff and monitor their performance to ensure a high standard of work is maintained.
  • To review complex or markedly abnormal results together with other relevant staff and technically validate the final report.
  • To assist VEU Management in monitoring capability issues.
  • To ensure adequate care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment.
• Clinical Governance
  • To participate in audit processes, clinical trials, and research projects, as required.
  • To assist in the management and monitoring of laboratory and equipment, and ensure the Unit maintains United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) ISO 15189, Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Medicines for Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) GCP for Laboratories.
  • To investigate clinical and non-clinical incidents in relation to the Units laboratory and equipment and report to the Head of the VEU, Deputy Head of the VEU, Quality Officer and MMMP Quality Manager in accordance with Trust incident reporting policy.
  • To attend regular VEU meetings and contribute to effective communication within the Unit.
• Education and Development
  • To undertake on-going training and development and update Professional Development Plan, as required.
  • To organise and coordinate the supervision, monitoring of training and development, assessment of competence and continuing professional development within the Unit of: Clinical Scientists, Senior Scientists, Healthcare Scientist Specialist Section Leads, Healthcare Scientist Practitioners, Senior Assistant Healthcare Scientists and Medical Laboratory Assistants.
  • To provide and develop training for staff.
  • To assist in the training of staff.
  • To assist with the development of the VEU training plan.
• Scientific and Clinical
  • To assist, and where appropriate be responsible for, the development and implementation of new equipment into the VEU.
  • To ensure data integrity when entering demographics and results into the laboratory information system.

• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
  • To identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. To attend internal / external training events
  • To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:

Internal

• Scientific, biomedical, support and clerical staff in the MMMP
• Hospital and Directorate Staff

External

Customers, including:

• External suppliers
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Academia
• Accreditation bodies
• Other NHS Hospitals
• Educational institutions

This is not an exhaustive list.

Essential criteria

• BSc Hons in appropriate biological degree (or equivalent qualification)
• Experience with laboratory computer systems. Comprehensive I.T skills Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and email
• Basic scientific mathematics
• Good communication skills
• Ability to work unsupervised
• Ability to liaise with all grades of staff in and out of the Unit
• Ability to work such hours as necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the job

Desirable criteria

• Evidence of participation in CPD.
• Understanding of United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) ISO 15189 and Good x Practice (GxP) issues within scientific.
• Understanding of clinical governance.
• Understanding of related Health & Safety legislation.

Selection process

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed7essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of:

• an application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 1500 wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills,experienceandknowledgeprovide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• BSc Hons in appropriate biological degree
• Experience with laboratory computer systems. Comprehensive I.T skills Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Internet and email
• Good communication skills

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview at our lab in Manchester, M13 9WZ. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.

Interviews will be held week commencing 12th October 2026. Please note, these dates are subject to change.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is lab based at UKHSA Manchester, MRI, M13 9WZ. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.

Eligibility criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorism Check clearance.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years to obtain Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Essential criteria

Essential

• Questions on knowledge, experience, skills & abilities

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Science Lab

UKHSA Manchester, MRI, M13 9WZ

M13 9WZ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role supports the delivery of high-quality genomic analysis within a public health and research environment, with a primary focus on the development, optimisation, and application of whole genome sequencing (WGS) bioinformatics pipelines. The post-holder will contribute to advancing pathogen genomics capability through robust software development, data analysis, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

Core Technical Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to the design, development, deployment, and continuous improvement of WGS bioinformatics pipelines for microbial genomics applications.
• Refactor, optimise, and maintain existing WGS software components to improve performance, reproducibility, and scalability.
• Develop new bioinformatics tools and analytical modules, ensuring they are fully tested, validated, documented, and version-controlled prior to integration into production pipelines.
• Apply best practices in software engineering, including the use of version control systems (e.g. Git), code review, and reproducible workflows.
• Support the identification, development, and dissemination of best practice in bioinformatics methods, ensuring alignment with organisational and sector standards.

Data Analysis and Scientific Delivery

• Undertake comprehensive analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) datasets (e.g. Illumina, Oxford Nanopore), including quality control, genome assembly, variant identification, and downstream interpretation.
• Generate accurate, timely, and high-quality reports from data analyses to support research, surveillance, and outbreak investigations.
• Lead and contribute to the preparation of scientific outputs, including technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, posters, and presentations.
• Maintain a high level of scientific rigour, ensuring analyses are reproducible, well-documented, and meet required quality standards.

Collaboration, Training, and Representation

• Work closely with clinical, laboratory, and research colleagues to integrate genomic data into wider public health and research activities.
• Provide training, mentorship, and expert advice on bioinformatics tools, pipelines, and interpretation of genomic data to a range of stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships across internal teams and external collaborators, including national and international partners.
• Represent the organisation at internal, national, and international meetings, contributing to scientific discussions and collaborations.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Identify, evaluate, and implement new bioinformatics approaches, sequencing technologies, and analytical methodologies to enhance capability.
• Contribute to strategic development within the team by anticipating future scientific and technical needs and proposing innovative solutions.

Leadership and Management

• Provide project management and, where required, line management responsibilities, ensuring delivery of agreed objectives within timelines and resource constraints.
• Supervise, support, and develop junior staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Allocate and prioritise workloads effectively across projects, ensuring flexibility in response to changing demands.

Governance, Quality, and Compliance

• Ensure all work is conducted in accordance with UKHSA safety, quality, and governance frameworks.
• Maintain personal and team compliance with health and safety requirements and promote best practice in laboratory and computational environments.

Additional Responsibilities

• Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility in undertaking additional duties as required by line management, commensurate with the grade of the post.
• Maintain continuous professional development, keeping up to date with advances in bioinformatics, pathogen genomics, and relevant technologies.

This list is not exhaustive.

Essentia criteria:

• PhD or equivalent experience in bioinformatics or related discipline.
• Proficiency in Linux/Unix environments and command-line tools.
• Strong understanding of next-generation sequencing technologies and associated analytical approaches.
• Experience in developing, modifying and debugging analytical code (preferably Python).
• Familiarity with version control systems (e.g. Git).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex data clearly to varied audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets and recommend solutions.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience working with public health, or clinical microbiology datasets, particularly within surveillance or outbreak response contexts.
• Familiarity with both Illumina and ONT sequencing data, including hybrid assembly approaches.
• Knowledge of cloud or high-performance computing environments for large-scale genomic data processing.Proficiency in additional programming or scripting languages.

Selection ProcessDetails

This vacancy is using SuccessProfiles andwill assess your Behaviours/Experience & Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed 7 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa:

• Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 750 wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible).Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than750 words. We will not consider any words over750 words.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria
2. Meets some essential criteria
3. Meets no essential criteria

If longlisting is used, the pile meetingallessential criteria will be proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswewillconductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:

• PhD or equivalent experience in bioinformatics or related discipline.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Stage 2:Interview

Success profiles

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to aface to face interview at Porton.

If face to face interviewsareplanned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours/Experience/Technical skillswill be tested at interview through questioning.

• Making Effective Decisions (Lead Behaviour)
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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 our office). Our Health Protection Operation Centres are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basicdisclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

External : Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Civil Service - Senior Executive Officer.

£41,983 - £48,128 (National)

Person Specification

Application Form and supporting Statement

Essential

• Application Form and supporting Statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Making effective Decisions (Lead)
• Managing a Quality service

Technical Questions

Essential

• Technical Questions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Scientific Campus

Porton

SP4 0JG

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Act as lead on business change activities, working with the project to support the delivery of the business case benefits and outcomes.
• Assess the impact of change on stakeholders to support successful delivery of the change.
• Support the preparation of the change management elements of the Business Case.
• Provide input to the creation and maintenance of Business Change products, such as changeplans, impact assessments and readiness documents.
• Support the Project Manager with preparing and updating the change plan.
• Contribute to the assessment of business readiness before implementation.
• Support the Project Manager and/or Benefits Manager with identifying and tracking benefits.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of the communications plan.
• Identify stakeholders and include them in the stakeholder engagement plan, building strong working relationships.
• Act as a point of contact for queries relating to the business change activity.
• Use digital tools and data to support tracking of change impacts, adoption and progress.
• Promote the use of recognised business change approaches and assist colleagues in applying best practice.
• Be an active member of the UKHSA Project Delivery Profession Community.

You will be supported to work towards achieving Government Project DeliveryAccreditation should you not already hold this.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of these roles.You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required. The job descriptions and person specifications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Essential Criteria

• Recent experience supporting business change activities or change implementation within a project, programme or operational change environment.
• Ability to analyse and summarise the impact of change on teams, processes and stakeholders, using structured approaches or tools.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Awareness of business case development, benefits management, and change control.
• Awareness of planning, scheduling, assurance, risk and issue management and governance.
• Ability to use digital tools to support change tracking, assess impacts and monitor adoption of new ways of working.
• Strong capability in using Microsoft Office applications, specifically Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UKand will assess your Experience, Behaviours and Technical Skills.

Application & SiftAt sift stage you will be assessed against the 7 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.You will be required to complete:

• An Application Form (Employer/Activity history section on the application)
• A 750 word supporting statement -do not exceed 750 words as we will not consider any words over and above this amount

This should outline how your skills, abilities, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the 7 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

You will receive a joint score for your Application Form and Supporting Statement. The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV please be advised you will not be able to upload or email us your CV. Please complete the Application Form in as much detail as possible.

Longlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all Essential Criteria
2. Meets some Essential Criteria
3. Meets no Essential Criteria

Only those that 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following 2 Essential Criteria:

• Recent experience supporting business change activities or change implementation within a project, programme or operational change environment.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to the Stage 2: Pre-Interview Assessment.Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Pre-Interview Assessment

Candidates will be invited to a 20-minute pre-interview assessment which will be undertaken remotely, via MS Teams.

The pre-interview assessment will assess your Technical Skills through instinctual critical thinking and situational judgement, drawing from your Business Change technical experience.

A scenario will be presented on the screen, read aloud and shared using the chat function. You will be expected to consider the situation (5 minutes) and share your thinking (10 minutes).

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to Stage 3: Interview.

Stage 3: Interview

You will be invited to a remote interview.Interview date(s) to be confirmed.

Behaviours and Technical Skills will be assessed at interview. The Behaviours being assessed during the interview will be as follows:

• Communication and Influencing - Lead Behaviour
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical Skills will be assessed from questions during the interview.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.

Location Details

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and London Canary Wharf.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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 core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Salary Information

Higher Executive Officer (HEO): Salary is subject to base location and is per annum, pro-rata.

• National HEO: £33,422 - £40,731
• Outer HEO: £35,587 - £43,244
• Inner HEO: £37,749- £45,353

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Person Specification

Application Form and Supporting Statement

Essential

• Application Form and Supporting Statement

Stage 2: Interview - Behaviours

Essential

• Communication and Influencing - Lead Behaviour
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Stage 1: Pre-Interview Assessment - Technical Skills

Essential

• Assessment on instinctual critical thinking and situational judgement, drawing from your Business Change technical experience.

Stage 2: Interview - Technical Skills

Essential

• Questions during Interview

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Hybrid working based at any of our core HQs

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and London Canary Wharf

E14 4PU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Network Architecture, Design & Delivery

• Act as the senior technical lead for UKHSA network architecture, owning and maintaining High Level Designs (HLD), Low Level Designs (LLD), topology diagrams and As-Built documentation.
• Lead the design, implementation and lifecycle management of resilient, scalable and secure LAN, WAN, WLAN and cloud-connected infrastructure, ensuring alignment with NCSC Secure by Design principles.
• Provide technical assurance across estate modernisation, science campus, data centre and hybrid cloud programmes, while collaborating with infrastructure, security, application and cloud teams.
• Manage routing, switching, wireless, WAN, load balancing, IPAM, DNS and DHCP services, alongside Extreme Networks Fabric Engine, Site Engine and wireless platforms.

Network Security, Resilience & Incident Management

• Provide technical leadership for network security and operational resilience across the UKHSA estate.
• Administer Palo Alto NGFW, Panorama, VPN, micro-segmentation, DMZ and Zero Trust architectures, ensuring compliance with security standards and evolving threat landscapes.
• Act as the senior network authority during Major Incident Response Team (MIRT) activities, leading diagnosis, resolution, communication, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Post Incident Reviews (PIR).
• Develop incident runbooks, continuity plans and mitigation strategies to reduce risk, improve service resilience and support secure cloud and on-premises environments.

Service Management, Automation & Technical Leadership

• Lead the monitoring, observability, performance and capacity management of network services, integrating operational and security monitoring with ITSM and SIEM platforms.
• Drive network automation and Infrastructure as Code using tools such as Ansible and Python to improve consistency and efficiency.
• Manage vendor relationships, technology lifecycles, procurement planning and proof-of-concept evaluations.
• Produce technical documentation, support ITIL Incident, Problem, Change and Request Management processes, contribute to CAB activities, mentor engineers, provide expert stakeholder advice, maintain compliance with ICT standards and deliver high-quality customer support, including participation in on-call and out-of-hours services.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Essential criteria

• Formal technical qualification equivalent to CCNP level or above, or substantial experience in a senior network engineering role, with advanced knowledge of enterprise routing and switching, network security, wireless technologies, and large-scale network infrastructure management.
• Proven experience producing and maintaining network architecture artefacts, including High Level Designs (HLDs), Low Level Designs (LLDs), topology diagrams, reference architectures, and As-Built documentation across enterprise LAN, WAN, WLAN, and security environments.
• Demonstrable ability to lead or contribute to network architecture initiatives, provide technical assurance and design reviews, and ensure solutions align with organisational standards, security-by-design principles, and best practice methodologies.
• Significant experience acting as a senior technical authority during major incidents, leading network diagnosis and resolution activities, collaborating within multi-disciplinary Major Incident Response Teams, and managing complex, high-pressure situations.
• Experience producing Root Cause Analysis (RCA) reports, Post-Incident Reviews (PIRs), and maintaining incident runbooks, playbooks, and escalation procedures while driving continuous service improvement and reducing recurrence of critical incidents.
• Skilled in monitoring network infrastructure to optimise performance, support capacity planning, identify risks, and proactively address technical issues to maintain service availability and resilience for large user populations.
• Excellent written, verbal, reporting, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, work effectively across multidisciplinary teams, deliver outstanding customer service, and manage competing priorities under changing timescales.

Desirable criteria

• Experience with network Function Virtualisation (NFV) and Software Defined Networking (SDN) architectures, including overlay/underlay design models and virtual network appliance deployment.
• Experience with advanced network automation toolchains including Terraform, Ansible, or Python-based frameworks applied to infrastructure provisioning and compliance enforcement.
• Hands-on experience with SIEM platforms (e.g. Splunk, Microsoft Sentinel) in the context of network security monitoring, alert triage, and threat hunting.
• Experience with Zero Trust technologies such as Zscaler ZIA/ZPA, Illumio, or equivalent ZTNA platforms in an enterprise deployment context.
• Familiarity with network observability tools such as ThousandEyes, NetBrain, or Datadog Network Performance Monitoring for advanced path analysis and synthetic monitoring.
• Experience with ITSM platforms (e.g. ServiceNow or equivalent) including use of the platform for major incident management, problem records, and change advisory workflows.
• Familiarity with HPC or scientific network environments, including high-throughput storage networking or research network interconnect requirements.
• Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence across organisational boundaries.

Selection process

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed7essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of:

• an application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 1000wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledgeprovide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than1000words. We will not consider any words over1000words.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Formal technical qualification equivalent to CCNP level or above, or substantial experience in a senior network engineering role, with advanced knowledge of enterprise routing and switching, network security, wireless technologies, and large-scale network infrastructure management.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a remote interview via MS Teams.

Behaviours, technical skills and experience will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Leadership (Lead behaviour)
• Delivering at pace
• Making effective decisions
• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service

Interviews are to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQs in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf).

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using 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) on-site.

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Eligibility criteria

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 basic Disclosure and Barring Security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed Security Check vetting.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

• Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Leadership (Lead behaviour)
• Delivering at pace
• Making effective decisions
• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Core HQs

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool or London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

As an interaction designer youll:

• Deliver effective designs - supporting service transformation by using user-centred design methods, best practice and appropriate tooling to explore problems and opportunities within large, complex organisations
• Working with stakeholders and customers to understand existing services and identify key opportunities to improve the service end-to-end
• Experience of work with other professions and stakeholders to discover and analyse insights to identify common themes, pain points and user needs
• Identify solutions to complex problems within services, and support these by developing design concepts, balancing user needs with business, operational and technical requirements
• Prototype complex ideas at an appropriate fidelity and iterate them
• Advocate for the value of a user-centred, inclusive, and evidence-based approach to interaction design and delivery to embed effective and user-centred design practice
• Experience of planning design activities, working directly with other professions to ensure effective and timely delivery
• Improve design practice by using a range of design techniques and encouraging others to also think of alternative ways to conduct design work, developing the practical experience of non-specialists
• Actively participate in the UCD community of practice, fostering a culture of continuous professional development, working openly and collaboratively to contribute to building the service design capability

Essential role criteria:

• Experience in interaction design and applying user-centred design methods and practices in complex organisations
• To be able to manage relationships with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to improve services and gain support for standards, design solutions, roadmaps, and ways of working
• Experience in the use of various prototyping tools and methods to deliver interactive prototypes, demonstrating ability to create designs that are accessible without compromising delivery timelines
• To be able to communicate with developer colleagues, leveraging knowledge of front-end languages to ensure designs are developed to standard and remain accessible
• To be able to apply iterative design principles and agile methodologies to your work
• To be able to demonstrate the importance of designing inclusive, equitable, accessible and sustainable services
• To be able to plan design activities, working directly with other professions to ensure effective and timely delivery
• To be able to identify new design patterns and components based on evidence