UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – Overview
UKHSA’s remit, as a global‑to‑local agency, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats. As the nation’s expert national health security agency, UKHSA will:
* Prevent: anticipate threats and build national readiness and health security defences
* Detect: use cutting‑edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively monitor infectious diseases and health threats
* Analyse: apply world‑class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
* Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats when they materialise
* Lead: build strong, sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships to save lives, protect the nation and reduce inequalities
Job Overview
An exciting opportunity exists for a dynamic and forward‑thinking individual to lead the administration unit of the operational services department. Qualified to degree level (or equivalent) with significant operational experience, you will manage the administration of a large, busy department comprising approximately 90 staff across RCCE facilities in Chilton, Glasgow and Leeds.
Key Responsibilities
Managing the Administration Unit
* Lead a team of up to 18 staff and associated resources
* Set targets and monitor performance
* Drive projects involving service development (financial and contractual)
* Address complex, sensitive and contentious issues, e.g., contract queries and staffing matters
* Contribute to quality assurance programmes and service level agreements
* Support the department’s radiation emergency response role
Administration of Consultancy Contracts
* Analyse complex information, including contractual and technical specifications, and implement changes to working practices
* Agree appropriate terms and conditions with external clients
* Prepare tenders, quotations and write replies to complex and sensitive correspondence
* Lead the shift to a paperless office and foster flexibility and continuous improvement
Financial
* Budget management and preparation of costings
* Monitoring expenditure within delegated budgets and timescales
* Prepare reports for service management meetings on pricing and value for money
* Engage with external contractors to ensure project work meets specifications
* Exercise delegated signing powers to approve invoices, sales orders and other financial documents
Professional Development
* Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training needs with line manager
* Attend internal and external training events
* Participate in mandatory training such as fire safety and information governance
* Develop capability within the team to deliver effective administrative support in line with the UKHSA radiation emergency response plan
Key Working Relationships
Internal
* Departmental staff – daily
* Department Heads of all RP Sciences Departments – weekly
* Business Support Managers of all RP Sciences Departments – weekly
* Corporate support staff (Facilities, Travel, Finance, Procurement, HR, etc.) – daily
External
* Suppliers and contractors
* EC staff
* Government agencies and departments
* Stakeholders and clients
* Members of the public
Qualifications
* Degree or professional qualification (NVQ Level 6) in Business and Finance or Procurement, or significant relevant experience
* Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Teams)
* Experience of planning and implementing business‑support changes
* Leadership skills for day‑to‑day control of work within a business‑support area and ability to prioritise workloads
* Excellent organisational skills and ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
* Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed contract documents
* Clean UK driving licence and willingness to travel and, when required, stay overnight at other sites
* High level of personal integrity and strong working relationships with clients and staff
* Commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
* Experience of interview panels and ability to work unsupervised
* Creativity and innovation to resolve novel issues and a desire to drive continual improvement
* Positive presentation skills to staff and external clients
* Successful completion of required security checks (including Counter‑Terrorism Check where applicable)
Employment Details
Hybrid working – a minimum of 60 % of contractual hours at UKHSA’s scientific campus at Chilton or at the Glasgow or Leeds laboratories. Salary range: £33,422 – £43,244 per annum, plus public holidays, defined benefit pension, cycle‑to‑work scheme and other benefits. Full‑time permanent contract.
Everyone Matters – UKHSA is an inclusive organisation that promotes equality of opportunity. We actively encourage applications from under‑represented groups. All staff and stakeholders are treated fairly and with respect.
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