Novel and Dangerous Pathogens (NADP) Training Officer

Job summary

The Novel and Dangerous Pathogens training team provide training in biosafety and biosecurity. We work locally, nationally and internationally with various stakeholders including the World Health Organisation, the International Health Regulations Strengthening Project, Chemical Biological Radiation Nuclear projects and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. We provide in-person training and are currently expanding our range of digital training packages.

We are looking for someone to support the running of our training laboratories, courses and to assist in the development of digital training packages. There may also be opportunities to provide training in-person and also deliver overseas. You will be supporting the Novel and Dangerous Pathogens training team to execute their deliverables.

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

The post holder will play a key role in supporting the Novel and Dangerous Pathogens training team to deliver high-quality biosafety and biosecurity training efficiently and effectively across UKHSA. This includes contributing to the successful delivery of commercial project commitments made with stakeholders; a key aspect of the role will be facilitating the maintenance of the training laboratories, supporting the organisation of in-person training materials and assisting in the development of high-quality digital training content for global distribution. This position is vital to the team’s mission; supporting the onboarding of incoming scientists at Porton, facilitating knowledge exchange across UKHSA and contributing to large-scale commercial and international projects aimed at promoting best practices, skills, and standards.

Responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

• Lead the everyday running of the training laboratories
• Lead the organisation of routine training courses
• Support the creation and development of digital training packages
• Support the review of existing training packages
• Oversee team databases
• Health & Safety and Best Practice Champion

Person specification

Essential role criteria (including qualifications, licenses and registrations):

• Knowledge in the organisation of laboratory equipment, e.g. calibration of equipment
• Laboratory management skills, e.g. inventories and ordering
• Experience in developing and maintaining databases (e.g. matrices or dedicated management systems)
• Experience in communicating and engaging effectively with a range of people, e.g. internal and external staff
• Scientific background or equivalent experience in, e.g. microbiology
• Awareness of digital e-learning packages, e.g. Articulate, Kallidus, Absorb.

Benefits

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.

• 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%

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

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 (Success Profiles)

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• Up to 500 word Supporting Statement

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 500 words.

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 supporting statement 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 the next stage: Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications, we will shortlist on:

• Laboratory management skills, e.g. inventories and ordering
• Scientific background or equivalent experience in, e.g. microbiology.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment

Please do not exceed 500 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 (competency based):

You will be invited to a (single) face-to-face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

During the interview we will assess against the below:

Knowledge

Experience

• Knowledge in the central coordination and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Developing and maintaining databases/inventories.
• Awareness of digital e-learning packages, e.g. Articulate, Kallidus, Absorb.

Skills and Abilities

• You will be asked to complete a short laboratory-based activity designed to assess your competency in utilising spreadsheet to review equipment.
• You will be asked to prepare and present a 5–10-minute presentation at the start of your interview to introduce yourself and your background/work experience.

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 internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton (Salisbury).

If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances 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.

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 Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a Basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:

• Basic Personnel Security Standard
• Counter-terrorist Check

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.

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.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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.

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

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 : Bea Choi
• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@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

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/7760269