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UK Health Security Agency

Policy Advisor – Centre Pandemic Preparedness Portfolio

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

National £37,056- £42,481

Outer £38,967- £44,240

Inner £40,876- £45,998

The Centre for Pandemic Preparedness (CPP) was established to be a world-leading hub for all aspects of pandemic preparedness. Our aim is to ensure the UK's future pandemic response is faster and more efficient to reduce the negative impacts of health threats to the UK.

The Strategy team ensures that the pandemic preparedness portfolio goals are well defined and deliver to protect public health. We currently utilise an account management system whereby strategy advisors work directly with delivery leads around the organisation to facilitate progress and support projects, so that the relevant scientific and analysis leads can focus on progress.

Location

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

This role can be based at one of our UKHSA offices (Leeds, Manchester, Totnes, London, Horsham, Cardiff, Bristol, Nottingham, Harlow, Liverpool, Fareham, Gloucester, Newcastle and Birmingham).

You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.

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.*

Main duties of the job

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

  • Developing a clear narrative for how the area(s) that you lead on are important in the context of a wider pandemic preparedness portfolio, and ensuring that the bigger picture is well understood across the organisation
  • Building expert knowledge in the thematic areas you lead on and use this to drive progress on key work ensuring the area is docked into the wider pandemic strategy and accurately represented in advice to Ministers, the UKHSA Chief Executive and the CMO
  • Establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships across multiple disciplines and teams within the Agency, developing trust and supporting work beyond CPP
  • Understanding wider government and political needs, and building these into clear written and oral advice , including to other government departments and Cabinet Office
  • Undertaking concise packages of policy development and design, which may consist of undertaking analysis, facilitating or leading solution design, co-ordinating operational delivery or creating handover materials.
  • Planning across the areas you are responsible for, and working with your manager to ensure this fits within the wider portfolio goals.

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

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.

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

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

Details

Date posted

01 September 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£29,160 to £39,691 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

UKHSA00431

Job locations

UKHSA Offices

London

NW9 5EQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

As a policy advisor in a small, high performing and focused team, you will be the point person for one or more thematic areas in pandemic preparedness, supported by your line manager and CPPs Head of Strategy. You will work closely with other advisors to ensure that the areas each of you lead on work together as a coherent portfolio so the UK is ready to act on every front in the event of a future pandemic. This might mean ensuring a robust evidence base, utilising the UKs world leading scientific advice, linking to global networks, and having a base level of capabilities that can be easily scaled up if needed. You ll talk regularly with all areas of government, from scientific experts to lawyers, from data analysts to commercial functions. Youll grow your knowledge to quickly become a trusted advisor, respecting and drawing out others expertise to prepare accessible advice. Senior decision makers will use that advice to progress the UKs pandemic preparedness.

Youll have a keen eye for detail, able to critique complex data and translate that into powerful writing. Youll have a good sense of how to build information into a bigger picture, and the role of evidence in shaping policy decisions. Youll be a team-player, able to work across organisational and professional boundaries, and confident communicating with people at all levels. Youll enjoy working with others, and have an appetite for learning new things.

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

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

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 in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Seeing the Big Picture

For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 21st September 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 TBC 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. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

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

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&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/

Complaint process:

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

As a policy advisor in a small, high performing and focused team, you will be the point person for one or more thematic areas in pandemic preparedness, supported by your line manager and CPPs Head of Strategy. You will work closely with other advisors to ensure that the areas each of you lead on work together as a coherent portfolio so the UK is ready to act on every front in the event of a future pandemic. This might mean ensuring a robust evidence base, utilising the UKs world leading scientific advice, linking to global networks, and having a base level of capabilities that can be easily scaled up if needed. You ll talk regularly with all areas of government, from scientific experts to lawyers, from data analysts to commercial functions. Youll grow your knowledge to quickly become a trusted advisor, respecting and drawing out others expertise to prepare accessible advice. Senior decision makers will use that advice to progress the UKs pandemic preparedness.

Youll have a keen eye for detail, able to critique complex data and translate that into powerful writing. Youll have a good sense of how to build information into a bigger picture, and the role of evidence in shaping policy decisions. Youll be a team-player, able to work across organisational and professional boundaries, and confident communicating with people at all levels. Youll enjoy working with others, and have an appetite for learning new things.

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

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

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 in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Seeing the Big Picture

For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 21st September 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 TBC 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. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

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

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&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/

Complaint process:

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

  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and experience drafting papers or reports with minimal supervision
  • Experience of undertaking analysis using multiple sources of information to support decision making
  • Influencing skills with the ability to work collaboratively to influence in areas across an organisation
  • Strong organisational drive, with ability to prioritise workloads and develop and monitor clear workplans
  • Ability to use MS Office packages, especially MS Teams, Word, and Outlook

Desirable

  • Experience of advising ministers and/or senior civil servants
  • Understanding of public policy and ways of working
  • Interest in public health policy
  • Familiarity with MS Excel and PowerPoint
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal and experience drafting papers or reports with minimal supervision
  • Experience of undertaking analysis using multiple sources of information to support decision making
  • Influencing skills with the ability to work collaboratively to influence in areas across an organisation
  • Strong organisational drive, with ability to prioritise workloads and develop and monitor clear workplans
  • Ability to use MS Office packages, especially MS Teams, Word, and Outlook

Desirable

  • Experience of advising ministers and/or senior civil servants
  • Understanding of public policy and ways of working
  • Interest in public health policy
  • Familiarity with MS Excel and PowerPoint

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

UKHSA Offices

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

UKHSA Offices

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:

RPO Talent Specialist

Hannah Burton

hannah.burton@reed.com

Details

Date posted

01 September 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£29,160 to £39,691 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

UKHSA00431

Job locations

UKHSA Offices

London

NW9 5EQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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