Business Support Officer

UK Health Security Agency

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

There are two vacancies available. One of them is being offered on a full-time basis and one of them is part time, 15 hours/week (2 days) with a possibility to increase to 22.5 hours/week (3 days).

The main responsibilities for the full-time role will be rota co-ordination which will involve creating and managing the in hours and out of hours rosters for the Health Protection Team. The role holder will have daily oversight of the in hours rota to ensure appropriate levels of staffing are maintained at all times covering sickness or unexpected absence, and they will ensure timely update of changes to the out of hours rota. They will also ensure the national out of hours rota is completed to deadline.

As part of this role, the post holder will also provide day-to-day administrative support to the Directorate or senior management team. They will maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders both internal and external to the organisation.

Main duties of the job

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • Creating, maintaining, and reviewing rotas to ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained at all times (full time role only).
  • Provide comprehensive administrative support to teams across the Directorate.
  • Lead and act as a central coordinating point of contact for a range of business administration activities with delegated lead responsibility for certain corporate function processes. For example, reporting of sickness absence and preparing and submitting returns on behalf of the team as required.
  • Communicate and engage effectively with a range of people, including internal and external staff and stakeholders. This will include dealing with stakeholder enquiries promptly and courteously by email, telephone, letter or in person, referring to the relevant lead where appropriate.
  • Responsible for the organisation of meetings and events and production of reports, papers, minutes and updating action logs as required. This will include providing secretariat support to teams and other internal meetings and networks as required.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

About us

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

  • Learning and development tailored to your role.
  • An environment with flexible working options.
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
  • A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%.
  • Range of health and wellbeing support.
  • 26 days annual leave allowance increasing to 32 days after a 10-year service.

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

Date posted

27 October 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,976 to £32,505 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

UKHSA00798

Job locations

Harlow

CM17 9TX or

Mildenhall

IP28 7JX


Job description

Job responsibilities

Location

Harlow, CM17 9TX or Mildenhall, IP28 7JX

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working this means that whilst the role will be based in Harlow or Mildenhall, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.

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

Pay if you work from Harlow, CM17 9TX - £27,722 - £32,505.

Pay if you work from Mildenhall, IP28 7JX - £25,976 - £30,264.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

Your Statement of Suitability (max 600 words) should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve an interview by video.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence using the Success Profiles framework.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Seeing the big picture
  • Changing and improving
  • Collaborating and partnering
  • Managing a quality service
  • Delivering at pace

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 12th November 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: W/C 27th November 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

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

A basic check is required.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Location

Harlow, CM17 9TX or Mildenhall, IP28 7JX

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working this means that whilst the role will be based in Harlow or Mildenhall, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home.

The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.

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

Pay if you work from Harlow, CM17 9TX - £27,722 - £32,505.

Pay if you work from Mildenhall, IP28 7JX - £25,976 - £30,264.

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

Your Statement of Suitability (max 600 words) should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

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

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve an interview by video.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence using the Success Profiles framework.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Seeing the big picture
  • Changing and improving
  • Collaborating and partnering
  • Managing a quality service
  • Delivering at pace

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 12th November 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: W/C 27th November 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

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

A basic check is required.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Level 3 and / or equivalent experience working at a similar level.
  • Significant administrative/secretarial experience including developing, implementing, and maintaining office systems and handling sensitive information.
  • Experience in using Microsoft Office software i.e., Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint or equivalent.
  • Experience of organising meetings and producing supporting paperwork, including agendas, and taking minutes/action notes.
  • Experienced at working under pressure handling multiple tasks and prioritising own workload.
  • Ability to follow relevant policies, procedures, and legislation to complete your work.

Desirable

  • Educated to Level 4 and / or equivalent experience working at a similar level.
  • Ability to use digital tools.
  • Experience working in a public sector organisation.
  • Line management skills.
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to Level 3 and / or equivalent experience working at a similar level.
  • Significant administrative/secretarial experience including developing, implementing, and maintaining office systems and handling sensitive information.
  • Experience in using Microsoft Office software i.e., Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint or equivalent.
  • Experience of organising meetings and producing supporting paperwork, including agendas, and taking minutes/action notes.
  • Experienced at working under pressure handling multiple tasks and prioritising own workload.
  • Ability to follow relevant policies, procedures, and legislation to complete your work.

Desirable

  • Educated to Level 4 and / or equivalent experience working at a similar level.
  • Ability to use digital tools.
  • Experience working in a public sector organisation.
  • Line management skills.

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).

Additional information

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

Harlow

CM17 9TX or

Mildenhall

IP28 7JX


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Harlow

CM17 9TX or

Mildenhall

IP28 7JX


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

RPO Talent Partner

Nicoleta Enciu

UKHSA.recruitment@reed.com

Date posted

27 October 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,976 to £32,505 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

UKHSA00798

Job locations

Harlow

CM17 9TX or

Mildenhall

IP28 7JX


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)