Scheme Organiser FEPTU

Job summary

We are currently seeking a Scheme Organiser FEPTU to provide strong and effective leadership and management of the Food and Environmental Proficiency Testing Unit (FEPTU) staff and services.

They will actively and visibly role model the values of the organisation by being inspirationally, confident and empowering. They will be responsible and accountable for all FEPTU’s overall functions and support all EQA operations and deliverables. This includes safety, strategic/business, continuity and financial activities, risk management, and administrative/logistic functions ensuring maximum productivity of the work within allocated resources and budgets and within agreed performance and quality standards in accordance with UKHSA policies.

They will be responsible for the development of FEPTU’s services national and international, define the strategic direction and fit of the unit to deliver and support wider public health deliveries and outcomes. Collaborative working with other parts of UKHSA within Public Health Microbiology is essential.

Job description

• Ensure effective leadership supporting all aspects of all service delivery that is compliant with relevant safety/governance/statutory requirements
• Communicate complex information clearly and concisely, tailoring messages to a wide range of audiences in line with Civil Service expectations for Communicating & Influencing
• Provide expert scientific advice and interpretation on quality assurance matters ensuring understanding across both technical/non-technical audiences and support effective decision-making and public health outcomes
• Establish and maintain transparent communication channels ensuring that priorities, risks and resource requirements are communicated proactively to support accountability, timely decisions and service resilience
• Lead business development activity by using market intelligence and stakeholder engagement to identify opportunities for growth and innovation, maintaining the international profile and competitiveness of FEPTU services
• Build and sustain strong collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams/wider organisational functions/external stakeholders fostering a culture of open and transparent communication, continuous improvement and high performing teams to maximise engagement

Communication & Key Working Relationships

To identify, develop and maintain strong meaningful relationships with a wide range of colleagues and professionals within UKHSA and outside the organisation.

Internal

Director of Public Health Microbiology (PHM) Laboratories or UKHSA. Including but not limited to lead clinical and FW&E Scientists, Finance and any others as required.

External

Liaison with external collaborating institutions and stakeholders as appropriate including the staff at all levels in participating food and water testing and/or clinical microbiology diagnostic labs in the UK and overseas.

Management

• Provide leadership for the optimal co-ordination for all services and other activities within the FEPTU unit and wider across EQA services
• Be responsible for the management of staff within the unit in accordance with UKHSA policies & procedures
• Be responsible and accountable for the Health and Safety of the FEPTU unit
• Lead and develop a high performing team by ensuring all staff receive appropriate training and development and by delivering a workforce development plan that continuously builds capability
• Ensure effective internal communications resulting in information to all staff
• Be responsible for ensuring that strategic direction and developments are aligned with the UKHSA strategies
• Take a national and international lead for specific areas of work and represent EQA Services

Service Delivery

• Ensure that operational responsibility for service delivery of the unit
• Develop international services in line with agreed strategies within UKHSA
• Be responsible for ensuring that microbiological standards for both service and development are maintained at a high level
• Initiate, review, analyse and interpret complex facts, specialist data and make judgements and interpretation which contributes to the development of public health delivery in EQA/PT
• Provide assistance and microbiological advice for laboratory testing procedures, interpretation of results and the impact on public health of incorrect results
• Co-ordinate and initiate all research projects in specialist area securing funding as appropriate
• Actively seek ways of promoting EQA/PT where appropriate, leading on areas of business development

Budget Responsibilities

• Be responsible for managing the budget allocated including control of income and expenditure ensuring service delivery is achieved within agreed resources and manage contracts and invoicing with internal/external customers

Strategy, Policy & Service Development

• Identify and be responsible for delivering the long-term development of EQA/PT and related services within food, water and environmental area
• Ensure business plan and marketing plans are reviewed and objectives re-aligned in accordance with UKHSA objectives
• Ensure the lab has the capability to implement and resource research and development activities in support of national and international UKHSA objectives
• Plan, co-ordinate and analyse surveys and co-ordinated studies

Quality

• Ensure the unit complies with relevant standards, governance and statutory requirements, in particular ISO/IEC 17043:2023 and ISO/IEC 17025:2017

Security / Health & Safety

• Be responsible and accountable for ensuring that the unit complies with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) requirements, risk management and other statutory regulations including the safety of staff working off-site

The above is only an outline of the responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in public health, medical microbiology, or food, water and environmental (FW&E) microbiology, or a postgraduate qualification with demonstrable experience coordinating international microbiology EQA/PT schemes
• Postgraduate management qualification (e.g. MSc, MBA, HSM) and/or equivalent senior management experience
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of clinical and/or FW&E lab procedures including lab safety, quality and regulatory requirements
• Evidence of effective stakeholder management, building and sustaining relationships across multidisciplinary teams, external partners and international networks
• Demonstrable experience of risk management and strategic planning with clear understanding of internal/external operating environments
• Significant leadership and management experience in microbiology labs or international EQA/PT schemes including evidence of developing high performing teams and driving continuous improvement
• Excellent communication skills with evidence of conveying complex information clearly and concisely - both written and oral
  

Desirable Criteria

• Understanding of organisational structures, priorities and ways of working within a public health setting
• Experience of reviewing/improving processes to deliver efficient and cost-effective services
• Experience of data collection, analysis and surveillance of infection/ disease
• Ability to work across organisational boundaries and engage with colleagues at all levels

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £68,626, UK Health Security Agency contributes £19,880 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%

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: UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers

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 is using Success Profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK and will assess your Experience and Behaviours.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 7 Essential Criteria listed in this advert. You will be required to complete:

• An Application Form - Employer/Activity History section on the application
• A 1000 word Supporting Statement - do not exceed 1000 words as we will not consider any words over this amount

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provides evidence of your suitability for the role with reference to the 7 Essential Criteria listed in this advert.

You will receive a joint score for your Application Form & Supporting Statement. The Application Form is the information you would put on your CV – please note you will not be able to upload or email us your CV. Please complete the Application Form in as much detail as possible.

Longlisting

In the event of numerous applications, we may longlist into 3 piles:

1. Meets all Essential Criteria
2. Meets some Essential Criteria
3. Meets no Essential Criteria

Only 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of many applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following Essential Criteria:

• Evidence of effective stakeholder management, building and sustaining relationships across multidisciplinary teams, external partners and international networks

Desirable criteria may be used if there is a large number of applications/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

You will be invited to a single face-to-face interview at our Colindale Scientific Campus in North London. Interview date(s) to be confirmed.

Due to the nature of the assessment at interview, face-to-face interviews are preferred. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

The Behaviours being tested at interview stage will be:

• Leadership - Lead Behaviour
• Communication and Influencing
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Managing a Quality Service

On arrival, you will be given a short scenario exercise on the strategic review of an EQA service. You will have 30 minutes to review the information and gather your thoughts followed by a 10-minute discussion with the panel about your approach and recommendations. The exercise is designed to explore your strategic thinking, leadership and decision-making skills.

Once this job has closed, the advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Incident Response Activity

From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA’s incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day-to-day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.

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.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.

Salary Information

Civil Service: Grade 7 Upper
Grade 7 Upper (Inner): £68,626 - £70,566 per annum, pro-rata

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at UKHSA Scientific Campus, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ.

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 (approx. 3 days a week pro-rata, (averaged over a month) working at our Colindale Scientific Campus.

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 Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC).

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 CTC clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Resourcing Support Officer listed in this 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.

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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 : Sarah Handy
• Email : sarah.handy@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/job/v8269614