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Job summary

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been set up to provide health security and health protection for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. We will act like no other organisation previously to mitigate threats to health before they materialise. UKHSA will build the nation’s health resilience and security, strengthening our ability to detect and monitor infectious diseases and external threats to health. Using robust evidence and world-leading expertise, we will go deeper to analyse threats to health, and how best to prevent and control them. UKHSA will ensure a system-wide response in partnership with local authorities, NHS, academia, global professional institutes, and industry.

The role of the Project Support Officer covers a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the project’s objectives, which will typically be moderate in complexity. You will enable the smooth running of the project by supporting Project Managers through the operation of project management processes, and the co-ordination of business management actions and engineering and construction activities on their behalf. Due to the nature of the projects undertaken, this role can only be worked on site at Porton Down.

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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

Specific duties will vary depending on current focuses, but examples of these will include:

• Implement and maintain systems to enable effective planning and scheduling for the project
• Implement and maintain project and engineering controls
• Produce project status reports, performance data and research new information
• Manage and monitor compliance of the project in line with UKHSA guidelines and legislation, including Construction, Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, and Security
• Support the Project Managers with workforce planning
• Manage the procurement of project supplies and services within Delegated Financial Authority limits
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
• Draft and sign off correspondence
• Act as point of contact for project responses to requests for information and signpost accordingly
• Monitor project spend, compile budgets, and support the development of business cases
• Maintain the project asset register
• Maintain the project risk and issues log, working with risk managers to resolve issues and escalating where appropriate
• An active member of the UKHSA Project Delivery Profession Community

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential role criteria:

• Experience of working in a project and/or programme environment in the construction or engineering sector
• Knowledge and experience of recognised project management methodologies, supported by relevant qualifications (e.g. APM PFQ, PRINCE2 Foundation, CAPM or equivalent) and/or demonstrable experience working within a structured project environment, preferably in the construction, engineering, infrastructure, or capital projects sectors
• Ability to work in a changing IT environment, and to learn new skills easily. Strong capability in using Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint
• Proven ability to take ownership of tasks and progress work independently, identifying priorities and acting without the need for close supervision
• Works well under pressure, effectively manages multiple tasks, in a fast-paced and ambiguous environment, with a keen attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to challenge effectively and professionally to ensure the correct information is presented at the right level and at the correct time
• Ability to collate, analyse and interpret information and/or data
• Strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to develop effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day to day working practices, and in relation to management system

Desirable role criteria:

• Capable of creativity and innovation to resolve novel issues and problems
• High level of organisational, time management and prioritisation skills to manage own workload and conflicting demands

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 (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%

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 and will assess your Experience and Behaviours.

Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 9 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1000 word supporting statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (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).

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. Please do not exceed 1000 words.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria

1. Meets some essential criteria

1. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Experience of working in a project and/or programme environment in the construction or engineering sector
• Knowledge and experience of recognised project management methodologies, supported by relevant qualifications (e.g. APM PFQ, PRINCE2 Foundation, CAPM or equivalent) and/or demonstrable experience working within a structured project environment, preferably in the construction, engineering, infrastructure, or capital projects sector

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of 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
Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a face to face interview at our site in Porton Down, Salisbury. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Behaviours and Strengths will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Changing and improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working together
• Making Effective Decisions (lead behaviour)
• Communicating and influencing

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

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

Additional Information

Location
This role is being offered as office based at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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 Security Check.

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 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. 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.

Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary Information
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.

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.

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.

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 : Tom Geldeard
• Email : tom.geldeard@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 the UKHSA Complaints team via email at: 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 for further information: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk