Application & Sift - Competency-based
At sift stage you will be assessed against the 14 Essential Criteria listed in this advert. You will be required to complete:
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An Application Form - Employer/Activity history section on the application
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A 1500 word Supporting Statement - we have a word limit of 1500, you will not be able to exceed 1500 words
This should outline how your skills, experience & knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role. You will receive a joint score for your Application Form & Supporting Statement.
The Application Form is the information you would put into your CV please be advised 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 a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:
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Meets all Essential Criteria
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Meets some Essential Criteria
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Meets no Essential Criteria
Only 'Meets all Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.
Shortlisting
In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following Essential Criteria:
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BSc Honours Degree in Biomedical Science or equivalent experience working in a laboratory managerial position
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of 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.
Interview - Competency-based
You will be invited to a single face-to-face interview at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Interview date(s) to be confirmed.
During the interview we will assess against the below in relation to the 14 Essential Criteria:
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Knowledge
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Experience
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Skills & Abilities
Once this job has closed, the job 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 UKHSAs 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 (including by definition internal applicants).
Salary Information
Fixed-Term Contract until 31March 2027 with potential to be extended
Civil Service Grade 6: £70,797 - £81,450 per annum, pro-rata
If you are successful at interview & 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 & terms.
Location
This role is lab based at UKHSA Manchester Laboratory, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Clinical Sciences Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WZ.
Hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure & barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter Terrorism 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 UK for the last 3 years as the role requires CTC clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting & applicants should contact Resourcing Support 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.
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, applicants 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.
