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UK Health Security Agency

Policy Advisor

The closing date is 18 September 2025

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Job summary

The Centre for Pandemic Preparedness and Incident Policy 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, more effective and more efficient to reduce the negative impacts of health threats to the UK.

We:

  • are the home of UKHSA's pandemic preparedness ambition and vision, uniting the Agency around clear and well understood approaches to future pandemics across both preparedness and response and linking this to wider priority work (e.g. in EPPR, EIDs, borders).
  • are building our knowledge and analysing key learning from COVID-19 in the UK and globally and UKHSA's capabilities, so we can step back and assess our ability to meet this vision, using pandemic or wider governance structures to raise risks and action teams to mitigate these.
  • work alongside subject matter experts to do this, but as policy professionals, have the public health and policy knowledge, including summary information and evidence to represent UKHSA in non-technical forums and respond to questions from government and externals, including with DHSC.

CPP works with government departments, notably DHSC, FCDO and Defra - and the devolved administrations - as well as with academia and industry to share and build intelligence and support future pandemic preparedness.

Main duties of the job

This is a policy role and across the responsibilities the successful candidate will provide policy leadership on specific areas of pandemic preparedness, including providing qualitative analysis of risks and opportunities, communicating policy goals and progress towards them across key workstreams to seniors and Ministers and working collaboratively across UKHSA to develop and implement policy decisions.

Specific responsibilities could include:

  • Developing clear policy positions for how the area(s) that you lead on, and linking these to the broader 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
  • Drawing on this knowledge to undertake 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.

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 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£31,997 to £43,552 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-CG-304734-EXT

Job locations

Core HQ

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU


Job description

Job responsibilities

The Centre for Pandemic Preparedness and Incident Policy works to mitigate against the strategic level risks of a future pandemic, identify gaps and opportunities in our preparedness, and building a centre of leadership within UKHSA and across Government to prepare for another pandemic scenario.

You will support high-profile work, contributing to our objective to produce a future pandemic response that is more effective, faster and more efficient to reduce negative impacts on UK society and save lives.

Essential Criteria:

  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Able to gather and analyse information to inform policy development and grapple with complex issues
  • Able to work both collaboratively and autonomously, and at pace, to ensure effective delivery
  • Proactive with a real passion for their job, inspired by the work they do and the impact it has

Desirable criteria:

  • Some knowledge/experience of public health and health policy
  • Experience of working with external stakeholders on high profile policy and strategy issues

Selection Process Detail

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed against the 5 essential criteria listed in the job advert, this will be in the form of an:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 750-word supporting statement

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

Those that meet all essential criteria will progress to shortlisting.Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:

  • Able to gather and analyse information to inform policy development and grapple with complex issues.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates

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

Please do not exceed 750-words. 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 remote interview.

Behaviours and Strengths will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Making Effective Decisions (Lead behaviour)
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together

Interviews dates are yet to be confirmed.

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 any of our Core HQs. 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 core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Centre for Pandemic Preparedness and Incident Policy works to mitigate against the strategic level risks of a future pandemic, identify gaps and opportunities in our preparedness, and building a centre of leadership within UKHSA and across Government to prepare for another pandemic scenario.

You will support high-profile work, contributing to our objective to produce a future pandemic response that is more effective, faster and more efficient to reduce negative impacts on UK society and save lives.

Essential Criteria:

  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Able to gather and analyse information to inform policy development and grapple with complex issues
  • Able to work both collaboratively and autonomously, and at pace, to ensure effective delivery
  • Proactive with a real passion for their job, inspired by the work they do and the impact it has

Desirable criteria:

  • Some knowledge/experience of public health and health policy
  • Experience of working with external stakeholders on high profile policy and strategy issues

Selection Process Detail

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed against the 5 essential criteria listed in the job advert, this will be in the form of an:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 750-word supporting statement

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

Those that meet all essential criteria will progress to shortlisting.Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following essential criteria:

  • Able to gather and analyse information to inform policy development and grapple with complex issues.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates

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

Please do not exceed 750-words. 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 remote interview.

Behaviours and Strengths will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Making Effective Decisions (Lead behaviour)
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together

Interviews dates are yet to be confirmed.

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 any of our Core HQs. 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 core HQs (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).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.

Person Specification

Application Form and Supporting Statement

Essential

  • Application Form and Supporting Statement

Behaviours

Essential

  • Making Effective Decisions (Lead behaviour)
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
Person Specification

Application Form and Supporting Statement

Essential

  • Application Form and Supporting Statement

Behaviours

Essential

  • Making Effective Decisions (Lead behaviour)
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together

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

Core HQ

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU


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

Core HQ

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU


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 Support

Carmelita Goodwin

Carmelita.Goodwin@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

04 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£31,997 to £43,552 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-CG-304734-EXT

Job locations

Core HQ

Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

E14 4PU


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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