UK Health Security Agency
Business support Officer
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**Business Support Officer – Executive Officer (EO) **
Job Location
This role offers hybrid working based at any of UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) Core HQs:
- Birmingham
- Leeds
- Liverpool
- London
Minimum requirement: As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend 60% of your working hours (approx. 3 days per week, averaged monthly) based at one of these locations.
The offices are modern, refurbished, and feature excellent city centre transport links, including co-location with other government departments like the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Job Summary
We are seeking a high-performing Executive Officer (EO) Business Support Officer within the Strategy & Policy Directorate, part of the Chief Operating Officer Group.
About the Directorate
The Strategy & Policy Directorate drives UKHSA’s strategic direction, leading robust, evidence-based policy development to address current and future health challenges. Its mission is to ensure better and more equitable health outcomes for the population.
Working for UKHSA
UKHSA is an employer of choice, championing equality and inclusion through its "Everyone Matters" ethos. The organisation actively encourages applications from diverse backgrounds, including groups currently underrepresented in its workforce.
Core Values
- Inclusivity as standard: We celebrate and protect differences, remove barriers, and promote equality of opportunity for all staff and stakeholders.
- Innovation: A culture where differences drive innovative solutions to meet organisational and community needs.
Job Description
In this role, as a Business Support Officer for a Deputy Director, your duties will include, but are not limited to:
Key Responsibilities
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Diary Management:
- Strategic planning of two Deputy Directors’ diaries, prioritising key divisional goals and ensuring efficient time allocation.
- Daily diary administration, including meeting scheduling with adaptability to changes—ensuring smooth, time-efficient management.
- Compiling and distributing daily diary packs, ensuring the Deputy Director is prepared with relevant briefing materials for meetings.
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Inbox & Communication:
- Managing the Deputy Director’s email inbox, prioritising critical correspondence and maintaining an organised digital filing system.
- Handling requests for information or actions, including setting up and maintaining logging, tracking, and archiving systems.
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Sensitive & Discretionary Duties:
- Establishing and maintaining trusting professional relationships with Senior Civil Servants.
- Managing confidential information with the utmost discrimination and integrity.
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Meeting Support:
- Acting as secretariat for meetings, including notes-taking, follow-ups, and action-logging.
- Supporting a structured in-house OneNote system, organising documents, managing digital files, and commissioning pre-meeting briefings.
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Incident Response Support:
- Contributing to Category 1 responder functions for Secretary of State’s Health and Social Care directions, requiring multi-tasking, adaptability, and quick response in high-pressure situations.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- Capable of strategic forward-planning to manage a Senior Civil Servant’s diary, aligning engagements with priorities.
- Acute ability to build relationships with ministerial offices, Stakeholders, and external key contacts.
- Competent in handling all logistical aspects, including domestic and international travel arrangements with a focus on cost-effectiveness.
- Expertise in advising a senior civil servant on optimal use of time, including detailing engagement plans, organisational briefings, or travel arrangements.
- Potential to deputy for the Senior Official on possible policy or parliamentary work, ensuring seamless coverage.
- Strong command of written briefings, ensuring evidentiary support for senior discussions.
- Skilled in delivering business objectives, including efficient private office management (emails, correspondence, and quick-response support).
- Demonstrated ability to establish and sustain confidence-building relationships with Senior Civil Servants, applying judgement in dynamic, high-pressure situations.
Desirable Criteria
- Previous experience in health policy or health-related policy formation and support.
- Hands-on experience working in a Senior Official’s Private Office.
Benefits
Compensation & Benefits
- Starting salary: £28,547 p.a.
- Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension: UKHSA contributes £8,270 p.a. towards your pension (caled up to 28.97% employer contribution).
- All other benefits: Including flexible work, tailored training/development opportunities, employment safeguards, and pension matching.
Key Terms
| Location | Starting Salary Range |
|---|---|
| National | £28,547 – £33,196 |
| Outer London | £30,441 – £35,576 |
| Inner London | £32,624 – £37,737 |
Additional Support
- Investing in a new state-of-the-art biosecurity hub in Harlow, Essex (full operationality planned for mid-2030s).
- Supportive restructuring, including gradual relocation over coming years.
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Security Requirements
- Basic Personnel Security Standard (Basic PBS) clearance must be obtained before appointment.
- Criminal record checks are required post-offer.
Eligibility
- Open to all applicants (UK nationals, EU/SSA holders, Common wealth citizens with work-right statuses).
- Short/long-term UK resident eligibility applies for non-nationals.
Selection Process
Stage 1: Application & Sift
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Short application process: Achieve a minimum threshold meeting the 9 essential criteria listed above.
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Draft a 1,000-word supporting statement focussing on directly matching essential criteria.
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Longlisting categories:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria (excluded)
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Shortlisting will focus primarily on:
- Building stakeholder relations.
- Inbox/correspondence management.
- Diary management & prioritisation skills
Stage 2: Interview
- Remote interview assessing selected competencies:
- Seeing the big picture
- Communicating & influencing skills
- Working collaboratively
- Ensuring high quality service (leadership behaviour)
International & Visa Requirements
- Candidates spending 3+ months abroad in the past 3 years may need an international police check via specified UK Governance methods.
Reasonable Adjustments
Fair and flexible adjustments are supported to ensure the application process remains accessible and inclusive. Contact the recruitment team early for tailored assessments.
Contact Information
Appointments & Recruitment Support
Person to apply to: Gurkamal Bhambra Email: Gurkamal.Bhambra@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment Team: recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
About the Civil Service
- The Civil Service Complaints Provision is protected under the Civil Service Code, allowing complaint proceedings to ensure adherence to the Selection on Merit Policy.
This role reflects the UK’s Civil Service Career Principles: equality, merit, and open competition—supplemented by the Civil Service’s Disability Confident Initiative.
Further enquiries: Check the Civil Service Ethics Code(external link hosted by legislation.gov.uk)* or contact UKHSA Complaints Team after offering acceptance.*
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