Job responsibilities
The post holder will provide leadership for the Radiation Hazards & Emergencies Department which comprises three Groups Radiochemistry, Internal Dosimetry and Radiation Emergency Response. These Groups are distributed over two UKHSA sites, Chilton, Oxfordshire and Glasgow. They will be responsible to RCCE Directorate for ensuring RCCE maintains and optimises its capability to support UKHSAs Category 1 responder functions for radiation emergencies.
Also responsible for maintaining and developing research programmes and outputs/publications in the areas of environmental radioactive contamination, internal dosimetry, and preparedness for radiation/nuclear emergencies; as well as maintaining RCCEs national and international reputation in these areas. Departmental management duties also include corporate governance, health and safety, quality control, the recruitment and career development of staff. The post holder will act as a national representative or an expert witness, to advise parliamentary committees/groups and to support the work of UKHSA at high level in security-related meetings.
In emergency situations and related exercises, the post holder will undertake a senior strategic role within RCCEs emergency response plan; this will involve close liaison with UKHSA colleagues, government bodies and the NHS. This includes the ability to provide specialist advice to clinicians and healthcare professionals on radiation issues as appropriate during an emergency situation or other situations of unplanned radiation-exposures.
Selection Process Details
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 will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the below listed fiveessential criteria taken from the job description, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 500 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the 5 listed essential criteria.
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets someessential criteria
- Meets no essentialcriteria
Please note only applications meeting all the essential criteria will be taken through to short list.
Shortlisting:In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Good knowledge of radiological/nuclear emergency response (ER) plans/ procedures. Experience of emergency work gained through training, exercises and/or real incidents
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
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.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (Competency based)
You will be invited to a face to face interview in Chilton, Oxfordshire. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
There will be a presentation.
Interviews will be held week commencing Monday 10th March 2025. 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).
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Chilton, Glasgow or Leeds locations.
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).
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 (BPSS) as a minimum, however if based at one of our scientific campus sites, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) security vetting. Successful candidates must also have a willingness to work towards Developed Vetting (DV) 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 for Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance, and 10 years for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. 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.
