UK Health Security Agency

Business Support Officer

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.

The Field Services Directorate (FSD) was established to provide a national comprehensive service which is geographically dispersed and integrates epidemiological, microbiological, infectious diseases and data sciences capacity and skills delivering surveillance and outbreak investigations consistently of the highest quality.

The Business Officer will provide day-to-day administrative and/or dedicated PA 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. The post holder will work with minimal supervision and be expected to work flexibly as part of a multi-disciplinary team providing a wide range of specific administrative duties. The post holder may work with colleagues who are based across the country at different sites and/or who work remotely.

Main duties of the job

Your key responsibilities will include:

Administrative and PA Support

o Provide dedicated comprehensive PA support to of one or more individual senior members of the directorate as requested. This may include: reading, monitoring and responding to the manager's emails, dairy management, booking travel arrangements, drafting of correspondence and/or preparing presentations, carrying out basic researcho Lead and act as a central coordinating point of contact for a range of business administration activities. This will include delegated lead responsibility for certain corporate function processes. For example, compiling and updating health and safety risk assessments or reporting of sickness absence and preparing and submitting returns on behalf of the team as required.o 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.o 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.

For a full list of main duties and responsibilities please refer to the job description document attached to this advert.

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.

Details

Date posted

26 June 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,976 to £30,264 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-BM-60608345-EXT

Job locations

Civic Centre

Newcastle-upon Tyne

NE1 8QH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria

  • Educated to graduate degree level/NVQ6 level in Business Administration, or equivalent experience. IT skills and advanced Microsoft Office experience, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint Significant administrative/ secretarial experience including developing, implementing and maintaining office systems and handling sensitive information 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 use finance systems and support financial analysis for reports Ability to follow relevant policies, procedures and legislation to complete your work. Ability to work without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience, including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money Ability to work well as part of a team to ensure the team pulls together and is effective and bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable Ability to seek out new information and new ways to develop yourself Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; cultural competence cultural sensitivity and awareness

Stage 1:Application& SiftSuccess profiles

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

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

  • a 750wordStatement of Suitability.

This should outline howyou consideryour skills,experience,andknowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.TheCV/ Application formand Statement of Suitability will be marked together

Shortlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplications we will shortlist onRelevant Science Degree or equivalent qualifications or equivalent experience

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

Please do not exceed 750words.We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:Interview

You will be invited to a (single) remote 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 information

UKHSA operates 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)based at the appropriate UKHSA Newcastle site.

Eligibility CriteriaOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (includingby definition internalapplicants).

Security Clearance Level RequirementSuccessful 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.

Working for the Civil Service:TheCivil Service Codesets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by meriton the basis offair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission'srecruitment principles.

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

Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:

  • life sentences

  • arson

  • sexual offences

  • hate and terror offences

Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role.If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available

Starting salary

Entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants,i.e.level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.

Either case isdeterminedby whichever is the highest.

For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria

  • Educated to graduate degree level/NVQ6 level in Business Administration, or equivalent experience. IT skills and advanced Microsoft Office experience, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint Significant administrative/ secretarial experience including developing, implementing and maintaining office systems and handling sensitive information 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 use finance systems and support financial analysis for reports Ability to follow relevant policies, procedures and legislation to complete your work. Ability to work without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience, including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money Ability to work well as part of a team to ensure the team pulls together and is effective and bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable Ability to seek out new information and new ways to develop yourself Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; cultural competence cultural sensitivity and awareness

Stage 1:Application& SiftSuccess profiles

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

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

  • a 750wordStatement of Suitability.

This should outline howyou consideryour skills,experience,andknowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.TheCV/ Application formand Statement of Suitability will be marked together

Shortlisting:In the event ofa large number ofapplications we will shortlist onRelevant Science Degree or equivalent qualifications or equivalent experience

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

Please do not exceed 750words.We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:Interview

You will be invited to a (single) remote 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 information

UKHSA operates 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)based at the appropriate UKHSA Newcastle site.

Eligibility CriteriaOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (includingby definition internalapplicants).

Security Clearance Level RequirementSuccessful 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.

Working for the Civil Service:TheCivil Service Codesets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by meriton the basis offair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission'srecruitment principles.

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

Its important to note that there are currently exceptions to applications being considered if your conviction relates to any of the following:

  • life sentences

  • arson

  • sexual offences

  • hate and terror offences

Some departments will also consider the specific offence against the nature of the business, i.e., a conviction for fraud may rule you out for a finance role.If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available

Starting salary

Entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants,i.e.level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase.

Either case isdeterminedby whichever is the highest.

For further details please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

Person Specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • IT skills and advanced Microsoft Office experience, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Significant administrative/ secretarial experience including developing, implementing and maintaining office systems and handling sensitive information
  • 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

Skills and capabilities

Essential

  • Ability to use finance systems and support financial analysis for reports
  • Ability to follow relevant policies, procedures and legislation to complete your work.
  • Ability to work without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
  • Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience, including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money
  • Ability to work well as part of a team to ensure the team pulls together and is effective and bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable
  • Ability to seek out new information and new ways to develop yourself

Equality and diversity

Essential

  • Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; cultural competence - cultural sensitivity and awareness
Person Specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • IT skills and advanced Microsoft Office experience, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Significant administrative/ secretarial experience including developing, implementing and maintaining office systems and handling sensitive information
  • 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

Skills and capabilities

Essential

  • Ability to use finance systems and support financial analysis for reports
  • Ability to follow relevant policies, procedures and legislation to complete your work.
  • Ability to work without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
  • Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience, including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money
  • Ability to work well as part of a team to ensure the team pulls together and is effective and bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable
  • Ability to seek out new information and new ways to develop yourself

Equality and diversity

Essential

  • Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; cultural competence - cultural sensitivity and awareness

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

Civic Centre

Newcastle-upon Tyne

NE1 8QH


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

Civic Centre

Newcastle-upon Tyne

NE1 8QH


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:

Consultant Epidemiologist

Petra Manley

Petra.manley@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

26 June 2024

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,976 to £30,264 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-BM-60608345-EXT

Job locations

Civic Centre

Newcastle-upon Tyne

NE1 8QH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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