UK Health Security Agency

Operational Lead NCTC

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.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.

Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

UKHSA provides strategic leadership and vision for protecting and improving the nation's health. Its ambition is to lead nationally and enable locally a transformation in the health expectations of all people in England regardless of where they live and the circumstance of their birth. It will achieve this through the application of research, knowledge, and skills. It is a distinct delivery organization with operational autonomy to advise and support Government, local authorities, and the NHS in a professionally independent manner.

Main duties of the job

To take delegated responsibility from the Head of Culture Collections:

  • The planning, organisation and supervision of all technical and laboratory operations associated with the manufacture, quality and maintenance of National Collections of Type Culture (NCTC) inventory.
  • Delivering a service that meets the agreed quality standards so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical.
  • Staffing, training, and business management within laboratory.
  • Contributing to working groups across the UKHSA and others, as required.
  • For NCTC purposes deputise for Quality Assurance and Regulatory Manager
  • To provide professional leadership for members of staff for whom s/he is accountable, leading staff by example and in a manner which will encourage the development of a positive attitude by each member.

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

Date posted

04 November 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£55,799 to £65,089 a year Per annum, Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-ROG-302213-EXT

Job locations

Colindale

61 Colindale Avenue

London

NW9 5EQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

To take delegated responsibilities from the Culture Collections Operations Manager in accordance with UKHSA and NIBSC policies and procedures for the following: Production / Quality Control Ensure separation of production and quality control functions of NCTC products and services. Manage and maintain a manufacturing schedule to ensure delivery of the manufacturing strategy and maintain prescribed stock levels. Manage the NCTC banking operations. Ensure that laboratory operations are conducted to high technical standards and in a manner compliant with current policies and procedures. Responsible for the planning of NCTC tests and calibrations and evaluation of results. Organise the quality control of new batches, both internally and by third party reference laboratories, and interpret these results in order to confirm authenticity and conformance with specifications. Ensure that all test data are recorded in the batch records and validate and authenticate results. Manage and maintain a manufacturing batch record system consistent with industry standards and the current quality management system. Manage stocks for manufacturing raw materials appropriate for the current manufacturing throughput. Design and implement a production planning system for the maintenance and replenishment of NCTC inventory in a cost-effective manner that assures continuity of supply. Design and implement a banking strategy/hierarchy, including stocking and replenishment levels, for the NCTC inventory.

Technical/Scientific Duties

Prepare NCTC freeze-dried/reference material cultures distributed. Apply knowledge of clinical diagnostic microbiology in the quality control and stability testing of these specimens. Assist with the development and introduction of new cultures accessed into the collection. Take part in the collection and acquisition of appropriate cultures from within and clinical and diagnostic settings external to the UKHSA. Prepare work progress reports and co-ordinate and take part in the entry of data into the computer database. Deal with customer queries, providing them with information and advice relevant to work or query. Supervise and prepare work schedules for the laboratory staff. Ensure that supervised staff follows the set protocols. Perform COSHH and risk assessments, review SOPs, forms and documents as and when required.

Please see Job Description attached in the advert to review further responsibilities.

You will be assessed on the below 10 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description. Essential Criteria: Computer literacy: competence in word processing and spread sheet software; database skills. A degree in biomedical science or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area. Able to communicate and convey information, ideas, opinions, instructions clearly and concisely to staff at all levels, orally and written Evidence of several years experience in clinical diagnostic bacteriology Ability to organise and co-ordinate work, able to analyse and evaluate evidence. Evidence of supervisory experience and laboratory safety Evidence of Interest in future developments in microbiology Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences. Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme management Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues.

Selection ProcessDetails:

This vacancy is using SuccessProfiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Ability.

Stage 1:Application& Sift

Success profiles

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above 10 listedessentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa:

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

  • 1250 word Statement of Suitability.

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

TheApplication form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately,and you must to to move forward to interview.

Please do not exceed 1250 words.We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a face to face interview

Behaviours will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Changing and Improving Delivering at Pace Leadership Working Together

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview

Interviews will be held week commencing TBC. 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

Face to Face interviews

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

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working. 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 scientific campus sites (Colindale).

If based at one of our scientific locations, 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To take delegated responsibilities from the Culture Collections Operations Manager in accordance with UKHSA and NIBSC policies and procedures for the following: Production / Quality Control Ensure separation of production and quality control functions of NCTC products and services. Manage and maintain a manufacturing schedule to ensure delivery of the manufacturing strategy and maintain prescribed stock levels. Manage the NCTC banking operations. Ensure that laboratory operations are conducted to high technical standards and in a manner compliant with current policies and procedures. Responsible for the planning of NCTC tests and calibrations and evaluation of results. Organise the quality control of new batches, both internally and by third party reference laboratories, and interpret these results in order to confirm authenticity and conformance with specifications. Ensure that all test data are recorded in the batch records and validate and authenticate results. Manage and maintain a manufacturing batch record system consistent with industry standards and the current quality management system. Manage stocks for manufacturing raw materials appropriate for the current manufacturing throughput. Design and implement a production planning system for the maintenance and replenishment of NCTC inventory in a cost-effective manner that assures continuity of supply. Design and implement a banking strategy/hierarchy, including stocking and replenishment levels, for the NCTC inventory.

Technical/Scientific Duties

Prepare NCTC freeze-dried/reference material cultures distributed. Apply knowledge of clinical diagnostic microbiology in the quality control and stability testing of these specimens. Assist with the development and introduction of new cultures accessed into the collection. Take part in the collection and acquisition of appropriate cultures from within and clinical and diagnostic settings external to the UKHSA. Prepare work progress reports and co-ordinate and take part in the entry of data into the computer database. Deal with customer queries, providing them with information and advice relevant to work or query. Supervise and prepare work schedules for the laboratory staff. Ensure that supervised staff follows the set protocols. Perform COSHH and risk assessments, review SOPs, forms and documents as and when required.

Please see Job Description attached in the advert to review further responsibilities.

You will be assessed on the below 10 essential criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description. Essential Criteria: Computer literacy: competence in word processing and spread sheet software; database skills. A degree in biomedical science or equivalent level of experience of working at a similar level in specialist area. Able to communicate and convey information, ideas, opinions, instructions clearly and concisely to staff at all levels, orally and written Evidence of several years experience in clinical diagnostic bacteriology Ability to organise and co-ordinate work, able to analyse and evaluate evidence. Evidence of supervisory experience and laboratory safety Evidence of Interest in future developments in microbiology Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences. Evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme management Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues.

Selection ProcessDetails:

This vacancy is using SuccessProfiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Ability.

Stage 1:Application& Sift

Success profiles

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above 10 listedessentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofa:

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

  • 1250 word Statement of Suitability.

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

TheApplication form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately,and you must to to move forward to interview.

Please do not exceed 1250 words.We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a face to face interview

Behaviours will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Changing and Improving Delivering at Pace Leadership Working Together

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview

Interviews will be held week commencing TBC. 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates will require Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) as a minimum with willingness and capability to work towards Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

Face to Face interviews

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

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working. 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 scientific campus sites (Colindale).

If based at one of our scientific locations, 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.

Person Specification

Application form

Essential

  • Application form

Statement of Suitability

Essential

  • Statement of Suitability

Behaviour

Essential

  • Leadership
  • Changing and Improving
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace

Ability

Essential

  • Presentation Question
Person Specification

Application form

Essential

  • Application form

Statement of Suitability

Essential

  • Statement of Suitability

Behaviour

Essential

  • Leadership
  • Changing and Improving
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Delivering at Pace

Ability

Essential

  • Presentation 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).

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

Colindale

61 Colindale Avenue

London

NW9 5EQ


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

Colindale

61 Colindale Avenue

London

NW9 5EQ


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Resourcing Officer

Rosie O'Grady

recruitment@uksa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

04 November 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£55,799 to £65,089 a year Per annum, Pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-ROG-302213-EXT

Job locations

Colindale

61 Colindale Avenue

London

NW9 5EQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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