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UK Health Security Agency

Business Support Officer

The closing date is 05 December 2025

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Job summary

We are looking for a Business Support Officer to join the Radiation Hazards and Emergencies Department, working closely with our Radiochemistry Team at Glasgow.

The primary function of the role is to provide general business/administrative support for the Radiation Hazards and Emergencies Department. This department supports a wide portfolio of work with the department split over 2 locations, Chilton and Glasgow.

The Radiation Hazards and Emergencies Department (RHED) leads UKHSA's emergency response and preparedness function in case of radiation and nuclear emergencies. It also provides advice and support to external organisations and central Government on issues surrounding emergency response and countermeasures to be taken.

The Radiochemistry Group (RG) has a primary role to provide analytical measurements of environmental and biological samples to support emergency response advice, as well as providing commercial services to a broad range of customers. The work is performed under accredited systems (ISO 17025, ISO 14001)

Main duties of the job

  • Act as one of the main points of contacts for client queries on invoicing and contractual issues relating to commercial services provided by the department
    • Progressing contract renewals to existing clients
    • Entering and maintaining client information on UKHSA business management systems and maintaining internal department records as required by the head of department
    • Managing/resolving credit and payment issues with clients alongside UKHSA Finance colleagues
    • Generating and maintaining contract performance statistics for the relevant service lead
  • Project invoicing (including discrepancy checks)
  • Sales order management
  • Client set up on system/amendments to existing entries
  • Preparation of costings, monitoring expenditure, working within set budgets, allocations and timescales
  • i-procurement - generation of purchase requisitions
  • Contribute to the overall resilience of the functions of the Department as required by business needs and directed by the Department's Business Support Manager
  • Support for local facilities management (including pool cars) at UKHSA Glasgow
  • Support for incidents that would invoke RCCE's radiation emergency response arrangements

This is not an exhaustive list.

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

17 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£28,547 to £33,196 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

919-JP-61813172-EXT

Job locations

UKHSA Glasgow

Glasgow

G51 4LS


Job description

Job responsibilities

The primary function is to provide general business/administrative support for the Radiation Hazards and Emergencies Department. The department supports a wide portfolio of work with the department split over 2 locations, Chilton in Oxfordshire and Glasgow.

The Radiation Hazards and Emergencies Department (RHED) leads UKHSAs emergency response and preparedness function in case of radiation and nuclear emergencies. It also provides commercial services and conducts research in the fields of internal dosimetry and radiochemistry.

This position will report to the Departments Business Support Manager who is based at Chilton and work across the department to support scientific staff with their functions.

Essential Criteria

  • Educated to A-level, BTEC Level 3, Scottish Advanced Highers or equivalent proven and demonstrable experience in a business administration role
  • Substantive experience in business and administration support
  • Relevant qualification in business or administration, or relevant proven and demonstrable experience in a business administration role
  • Experience of effectively working with a range of office software including Microsoft 365 applications including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Teams
  • Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines; able to prioritise own workload as well
  • Demonstrable ability to manage own time and prioritise workload. A clear ability to multi-task
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Ability to work unsupervised and to remain focused on the tasks in hand
  • Excellent communication skills

Selection Process

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 on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

  • an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • a 1250 word supporting statement

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

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.

The Application form and supporting statement 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 some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

  • Relevant qualification in business or administration, or relevant proven and demonstrable experience in a business administration role
  • Substantive experience in business and administration support

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

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

Behaviours, strengths and experience will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making effective decisions
  • Changing and Improving

Interview are planned on 7th and 8th January 2026. 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.

Location

This role is lab based at UKHSA Glasgow, 155 Hardgate Road, Glasgow, G51 4LS. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service.

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. Counter Terrorism Check 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 as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) 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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The primary function is to provide general business/administrative support for the Radiation Hazards and Emergencies Department. The department supports a wide portfolio of work with the department split over 2 locations, Chilton in Oxfordshire and Glasgow.

The Radiation Hazards and Emergencies Department (RHED) leads UKHSAs emergency response and preparedness function in case of radiation and nuclear emergencies. It also provides commercial services and conducts research in the fields of internal dosimetry and radiochemistry.

This position will report to the Departments Business Support Manager who is based at Chilton and work across the department to support scientific staff with their functions.

Essential Criteria

  • Educated to A-level, BTEC Level 3, Scottish Advanced Highers or equivalent proven and demonstrable experience in a business administration role
  • Substantive experience in business and administration support
  • Relevant qualification in business or administration, or relevant proven and demonstrable experience in a business administration role
  • Experience of effectively working with a range of office software including Microsoft 365 applications including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Teams
  • Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines; able to prioritise own workload as well
  • Demonstrable ability to manage own time and prioritise workload. A clear ability to multi-task
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Ability to work unsupervised and to remain focused on the tasks in hand
  • Excellent communication skills

Selection Process

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 on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

  • an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • a 1250 word supporting statement

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

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.

The Application form and supporting statement 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 some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

  • Relevant qualification in business or administration, or relevant proven and demonstrable experience in a business administration role
  • Substantive experience in business and administration support

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

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

Behaviours, strengths and experience will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making effective decisions
  • Changing and Improving

Interview are planned on 7th and 8th January 2026. 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.

Location

This role is lab based at UKHSA Glasgow, 155 Hardgate Road, Glasgow, G51 4LS. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service.

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. Counter Terrorism Check 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 as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) 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.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

  • Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

  • Working together
  • Delivering at pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making effective decisions
  • Changing and Improving
Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

  • Application form and supporting statement

Behaviours

Essential

  • Working together
  • Delivering at pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making effective decisions
  • Changing and Improving

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 Glasgow

Glasgow

G51 4LS


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 Glasgow

Glasgow

G51 4LS


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:

Recruitment Support

Jon Payne

jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

17 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£28,547 to £33,196 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

919-JP-61813172-EXT

Job locations

UKHSA Glasgow

Glasgow

G51 4LS


Privacy notice

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