About the job

Summary

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.

A key component of UKHSA’s Science Group, the Reference Services Division sits within the Specialised Microbiology and Laboratories Directorate. The Directorate provides advice and services to help protect the public from infectious diseases. It has a broad range of critical scientific capabilities and delivers an ambitious programme of research.

Job description

To hold overall responsibility for the technical management of the specialised microbiology laboratories within UKHSA’s Reference Services Division. To provide leadership and direction to these areas in the delivery of technical outputs, organisation of workflows and management of demand, and lead in strategic development, including identification, prioritisation of, and support for specific technical service developments associated with important scientific advances.

To oversee delivery of laboratory services, providing high quality microbiological analyses that meet clinical and scientific requirements and comply with best practice, and are safe, economical and effective. To have overall responsibility for developing services in accordance with UKHSA and laboratory policies and procedures, and in line with accreditation schemes and provide financial and business management and to lead in any UKHSA co-ordinated response or activity of a national/international nature, e.g. a bioterrorism incident or a major disease outbreak.

Working with senior colleagues, to develop national strategies to deliver coordinated public health reference microbiology services and to define, shape, lead and deliver programme initiatives across the Reference Services Division (comprising multiple national reference laboratories and Culture Collections). Ensure the programmes are managed to the highest professional standards to provide efficient and effective technical microbiology services.

Responsibilities

• To provide and oversee day-to-day technical leadership and management of the Reference Services Division including HR matters and professional issues such as recruitment, career development and discipline.

• To work closely with the Head of Laboratory Business Operations to ensure that Reference Services Division maintains technical service excellence.

• To lead and manage, as appropriate, the operational, technical, administrative and support staff within Reference Services Division ensuring adequate resourcing for service delivery.

• To assist the Deputy Director of Reference Services Division in the maintenance and development of the laboratory services within the resources available.

• To provide planning and organisational support for reference services in developing research, technical, clinical and public health microbiology networks and project groups as required.

• To prepare advice and proposals that contributes to innovations that enhance the effectiveness of reference microbiology services.

• To contribute to local, regional and national strategic policy. To take a leading role in planning and formulating strategy as applied to finance, business, IT, Quality and Health and Safety action plans, staffing, organisational structure, policies and service development; also ensuring the delivery and positive outcomes of set plans.

• To ensure that all staff and laboratory services operate within Health and Safety regulations and organisational policies.

• To ensure maintenance of full accreditation status in collaboration with the Quality Team.

• To be responsible for ensuring that all relevant risks to the achievements are being identified and assessed on an ongoing basis.

• To maintain the risk register(s) for Reference Services Division and ensure that control arrangements and processes are operating effectively and that actions are taken as appropriate.

• To chair Technical Manager committee meetings and take a leading role in senior management committees and working groups as appropriate.

• To be involved in relevant committees and working groups of the Pathology Directorates and represent Reference Services in discussions regarding pathology modernisation and rationalisation and other operational matters

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role

• An environment with flexible working options

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

• A Civil Service pension

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

Option 3 – External

Open to anyone including applicants outside the Civil service and internal applicants

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

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements