UK Health Security Agency
Scientific Facilities Project Support Officer
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Job Summary
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been set up to provide health security and health protection for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We will act like no other organisation previously to mitigate threats to health before they materialise. UKHSA will build the nation’s health resilience and security, strengthening our ability to detect and monitor infectious diseases and external threats to health. Using robust evidence and world-leading expertise, we will go deeper to analyse threats to health, and how best to prevent and control them. UKHSA will ensure a system-wide response in partnership with local authorities, NHS, academia, global professional institutes, and industry.
The role of the Project Support Officer covers a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the project’s objectives, which will typically be moderate in complexity. You will enable the smooth running of the project by supporting Project Managers through the operation of project management processes, and the coordination of business management actions and engineering and construction activities on their behalf. Due to the nature of the projects undertaken, this role can only be worked on site at Porton Down.
Working for your 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
Job Description
Specific duties will vary depending on current focuses, but examples of these will include:
- Implement and maintain systems to enable effective planning and scheduling for the project
- Implement and maintain project and engineering controls
- Produce project status reports, performance data and research new information
- Manage and monitor compliance of the project in line with UKHSA guidelines and legislation, including Construction, Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, and Security
- Support the Project Managers with workforce planning
- Manage the procurement of project supplies and services within Delegated Financial Authority limits
- Build and maintain strong professional relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- Draft and sign off correspondence
- Act as point of contact for project responses to requests for information and signpost accordingly
- Monitor project spend, compile budgets, and support the development of business cases
- Maintain the project asset register
- Maintain the project risk and issues log, working with risk managers to resolve issues and escalating where appropriate
- An active member of the UKHSA Project Delivery Profession Community
Please note this list is not exhaustive.
Person specification
Essential Role Criteria
- Experience of working in a project and/or programme environment in the construction or engineering sector
- Knowledge and experience of recognised project management methodologies, supported by relevant qualifications (e.g. APM PFQ, PRINCE2 Foundation, CAPM or equivalent) and/or demonstrable experience working within a structured project environment, preferably in the construction, engineering, infrastructure, or capital projects sectors
- Ability to work in a changing IT environment, and to learn new skills easily. Strong capability in using Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint
- Proven ability to take ownership of tasks and progress work independently, identifying priorities and acting without the need for close supervision
- Works well under pressure, effectively manages multiple tasks, in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment, with a keen attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to challenge effectively and professionally to ensure the correct information is presented at the right level and at the correct time
- Ability to collate, analyse and interpret information and/or data
- Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to develop effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day to day working practices, and in relation to management system
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Desirable Role Criteria
- Capable of creativity and innovation to resolve novel issues and problems
- High level of organisational, time management and prioritisation skills to manage own workload and conflicting demands
Salary Information
Alongside your salary of £33,422, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,682 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Artificial intelligence
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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Experience and Behaviours.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success Profiles - GOV.UK
Required
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 9 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1000 word supporting statement
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (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).
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. Please do not exceed 1000 words.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
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- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
- Experience of working in a project and/or programme environment in the construction or engineering sector
- Knowledge and experience of recognised project management methodologies, supported by relevant qualifications (e.g. APM PFQ, PRINCE2 Foundation, CAPM or equivalent) and/or demonstrable experience working within a structured project environment, preferably in the construction, engineering, infrastructure, or capital projects sector
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.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You Will Be Invited To a Face To Face Interview At Our Site In Porton Down, Salisbury. In Exceptional Circumstances, We May Be Able To Offer a Remote Interview. Behaviours And Strengths Will Be Tested At Interview. The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be
- Changing and improving
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working together
- Making Effective Decisions (lead behaviour)
- Communicating and influencing
Interviews 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.
Additional Information
Location
This role is being offered as office based at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check.
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 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) 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.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).
Qualifications And Registrations
For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.
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
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