Description

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:

• Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
• Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
• Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
• Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
• Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.

Job overview

The Emergency Preparedness Manager (Exercises) will lead on the development, delivery and evaluation of a range of emergency preparedness activities and exercises across the UK and internationally, relating to topics including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, infectious diseases and naturally occurring events.

Advert

The postholder will be expected to act and work independently of their line manager on their own initiative and use good judgement and make decisions on many issues.

The Emergency Preparedness Manager (Exercises) will also take the lead on building strong relationships with both internal and external sponsors at the local, regional and national level within England, the Devolved Governments and with international partners, which will require the ability to work abroad. The postholder will need a good understanding of how their responsibilities enhance UKHSA’s strategic remit.

The role has supervisory responsibilities for Exercise Coordinators (HEO)

Working for our organisation

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

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Support the delivery and development of improved performance across UKHSA and the NHS by promoting quality improvement and leading on specific health Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response exercise and training projects.
2. Manage and lead the planning, production and delivery of individual exercises both within the UK and internationally.
3. Develop a variety of exercises designed to enhance health emergency response planning and those of multi-agency partners as appropriate.
4. Identify and manage individual exercise logistical requirements including supervising all exercise documentation.
5. Supervise and manage Exercise team members and multi-agency planning teams as appropriate to the project.
6. Research subject matter as relevant to exercise projects and develop scenario and injects.
7. Contribute to the development of UKHSA’s EPRR policies with regard to the development, planning and running of exercises and events.
8. Hold delegated responsibility for designated budget in respect of the delivery of appropriate exercise projects.
9. Establish and maintain networks with key collaborators both within the UKHSA, the NHS, appropriate Emergency Services and all multi-agencies involved in health led Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response
10. Produce regular exercise reports to sponsors including the Department of Health and Social Care, outlining lessons identified and action plans to take forward.
11. In the event of a national incident, undertake an operational appointment within UKHSA’s National Response Centre (NRC) in London or in Porton Down.
12. Undertake work in accordance with the UKHSA’s Health and Safety policies and procedures and all UKHSA policies and procedures and to work within any Quality Systems that are applicable to the site.
13. In line with overall responsibilities, perform other tasks assigned or objectives set by the Line Manager and any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.

Other:

• This advert provides an outline of the tasks, responsibility and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required by their line manager.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the team, Directorate and the Organisation.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
• Undergo a programme of on-going development and education, to build on existing knowledge and develop skills, which could include a range of professional or management pathways.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
• Attend/ present at appropriate conferences and seminars as part of CPD to further own development and increase knowledge base 

Essential Criteria

• Regulated Qualifications Framework level 6 (degree level or equivalent) in a relevant subject (e.g. Emergency preparedness and response or event organisation and management) or significant experience of working at a similar level in a related specialist area (e.g. emergency preparedness and response or event organisation and management).
• Experience of developing and delivering exercises, events, courses for large numbers (100+) of participants
• Experience in Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response
• Experience of Microsoft Office products and/or ECDL
• Effective communicator with excellent writing and presentation skills; capable of analysing, constructing and delivering key messages and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
• Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence
• Skills for nurturing beneficial relationships with key stakeholders and senior stakeholders; and maintaining effective networks
• Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
• Independent thinker with demonstrated capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of complete information, working to tight and often changing timescales
• Flexible approach to working arrangements and able to work away from home base; including possession of a current passport and able to travel by air to international events
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of project management
• Line management experience including appraisals and recruitment
• Experience of managing budgets and business planning processes e.g. monitoring budget management and procurement

Selection Process Details:

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 11 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1200 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.

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

If longlisting is used, the piles 'meets all essential criteria' and 'meets some essential criteria' will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will do an initial sift on the lead criteria of:

• Experience of developing and delivering exercises, events, courses for large numbers (100+) of participants
• Experience in Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response
• Effective communicator with excellent writing and presentation skills; capable of analysing, constructing and delivering key messages and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences

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 1200 words in total. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a single remote interview.

Behaviours, strengths and experience will be tested at interview.

You will be asked to prepare and present a 10 minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving

Interview 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.

Selection Process

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.

Eligibility Criteria

External- 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 HQ’s. 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 HQ’s (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 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.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Link below:

Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers

This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)

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.

The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.

For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.

For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment.  You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy. 

Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.

Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.

Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. 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:  [email protected] 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 here.

Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.

The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. 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.

Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.

UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.

If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.

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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

 Benefits of working at UKHSA include:

• Generous annual leave:
  -26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
  -28 days after 5 years of continuous service
  -32 days after 10 years of continuous service
  -Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
• Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
• We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
• We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.

Hybrid Working

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 usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.

Disability Confident Scheme

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview.   If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.

To help you during the recruitment process, we will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you.

An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.

This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.

If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:

Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police Check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Security Vetting

Please check the Security Clearance needed for the role and follow the link for more information:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.