Administrator / Business Assistant

Job summary

British Geological Survey
BGS National & International GeoScience
Administrator/Business Assistant
Grade: UKRI Pay Band B
Contract: 6 Month Fixed term
Salary: £25,842 per annum
Hours: Full-time 37 Hours a week (this post is not suitable for home working)
Location: BGS Cardiff
Closing date: 15th March 2026
Interviews: will be held on Thursday 26 March 2026

Job description

About the role

BGS is looking for an Administrator/Business Assistant to join the BGS Cardiff Office. The successful candidate will provide comprehensive and proactive administrative support to the science team, including the Chief Geologist Wales. The role also provides significant level of specific support to the wider National & International Geoscience Directorates in BGS. This will include a wide variety of administrative tasks, including the use of a range of software packages and IT systems. Working independently on day-to-day tasks, you will also be part of a small team of wider Business Assistants based across all our sites.

About you

We are looking for someone who is approachable, very well organised and who has a willingness to help all colleagues and be able to respect confidentiality and be proactive and enthusiastic.

Educated to at least ‘A’ level equivalent standard and/or have relevant comparable work experience of providing high-quality support, you will have a good amount of experience in an administrative or secretarial role. Qualifications in business administration and/or customer service (e.g. NVQ level 2 or 3) would be desirable.

Person specification

The following specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post will be assessed at shortlist (S) stage, interview (I) stage, or both (S&I).

Essential

• Educated to at least ‘A’ level equivalent standard or have relevant comparable work experience (S)

• A good amount of experience in an administrative/secretarial role providing high-quality support (S&I)

• Proficient IT skills including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (S&I)

• Effective written & verbal communication skills (S&I)

• Evidence of ability to work well with others and be able to also work unsupervised (I)

• Approachable and professional, using judgement to resolve or advance issues and maintain confidentiality and discretion (S&I)

• You will be committed to a diverse and inclusive approach to work in the geosciences (S&I)

Desirable

• Relevant qualification in customer service and/or business administration skills (e.g. NVQ level 2 or 3) (S)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £25,842, UK Research and Innovation contributes £7,486 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.A great benefits package is offered! including an outstanding pension scheme (with an generous employer contribution – on average 27% of your pay), 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata)!

Things you need to know

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

How to apply

Applicants are required to include a CV and covering letter outlining their suitability for the role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.

A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Sunday 15 March 2026. Interviews will be held on 26 March 2026.

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.

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

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.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 theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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 : UKRI Recruitment Team
• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@ukri.org