Preston Job Summary We are recruiting a Health Protection Business Support Officer (BSO) to work in the UKHSA North West Cumbria and Lancashire business support team. The post holder will provide day-to-day administrative and/or dedicated PA support within the region, working within our established business support team (BST) to support the Cumbria and Lancashire health protection team. They will maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders both internal and external to the organisation. As a senior member of the BST, who will manage other staff in the team, the post holder will work with minimal supervision and be expected to work flexibly. You will be part of a team that provides a wide range of specific administrative duties that may include leadership of the BST’s role in health protection acute response work, minute taking at senior level meetings, creation and dissemination of regular weekly communications, project support, and/or coordinating corporate returns on behalf of the region. This is a diverse and interesting role, and one which requires a flexible approach as workload priorities can change. You will be joining our North West multi-disciplinary team made up of consultants, practitioners, surveillance scientists, emergency planning and business support colleagues. We have a friendly and collaborative team where everyone’s role is valued and contributes to the UKHSA mission to keep the local population health secure. 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. Job Description Communicate and engage effectively with a range of people, dealing with stakeholder enquiries promptly and courteously by email, telephone, letter or in person, referring to the relevant lead where appropriate Responsible for the organisation of meetings and events and production of reports, papers, minutes and updating action logs as required. This will include providing secretariat support to teams and other internal meetings and networks as required. Support the development of systems and procedures to ensure efficiency, quality and cost effectiveness across the business support and administration function. Participate in relevant internal working groups/projects, services, and initiatives across the organisation Contribute to effective information management (maintaining administrative and information resources, i.e., filing systems) and assist with dissemination and / or collation of information/returns, in a timely manner For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description Communicate and engage effectively with a range of people, dealing with stakeholder enquiries promptly and courteously by email, telephone, letter or in person, referring to the relevant lead where appropriate Responsible for the organisation of meetings and events and production of reports, papers, minutes and updating action logs as required. This will include providing secretariat support to teams and other internal meetings and networks as required. Support the development of systems and procedures to ensure efficiency, quality and cost effectiveness across the business support and administration function. Participate in relevant internal working groups/projects, services, and initiatives across the organisation Contribute to effective information management (maintaining administrative and information resources, i.e., filing systems) and assist with dissemination and / or collation of information/returns, in a timely manner For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description Person specification Essential Criteria Educated to Level 3 Business Administration and / or equivalent experience working at a similar level Significant administrative/secretarial experience including developing, implementing, and maintaining office systems and handling sensitive information Experience in using Microsoft Office software i.e., Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint or equivalent Experience of organising meetings and producing supporting paperwork, including agendas, and taking minutes/action notes Experienced at working under pressure handling multiple tasks and prioritising own workload Ability to use finance systems and support financial analysis for reports Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience, including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money Ability to follow relevant policies, procedures, and legislation to complete your work Ability to work without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales Ability to work well as part of a team and strive to ensure the team pulls together and is effective. You are inquisitive, you seek out new information and look for new ways to develop yourself An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships Alongside your salary of £27,275, UK Health Security Agency contributes £7,901 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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% Selection process details This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria. Stage 1: Application & Sift - Competency-based assessment Required You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (12) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) 1500 word Statement of Suitability 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 Statement of Suitability 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 The following will be taken through to the next stage: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Shortlisting In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following: Significant administrative/secretarial experience including developing, implementing, and maintaining office systems and handling sensitive information If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. 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. Stage 2: Interview You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at the Preston site. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. 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 our Preston site. 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). 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. 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 consider 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 it could be time accrued over that period. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own. 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. Careers website Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements 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 Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The 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 equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The 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 equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact Name : Gurkamal Bhambra Email : gurkamal.bhambra@ukhsa.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : gurkamal.bhambra@ukhsa.gov.uk Further information 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: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk 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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk