Job summary
We are looking for a Business Support Officer to primarily support the East of England Health Protection Acute Response role will be varied, with a high proportion committed to covering data entry, data acquisition and reporting, and general administrative tasks.
The successful candidate will maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders both internal and external to work flexibly as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
As part of the Health Protection Operations function, the post holder will take an active role in providing support to the acute response on a daily basis where duties will include call handling, processing of laboratory reports, notifications of infectious diseases. They will also be expected to support meetings including minute taking, recording of action points, and contributing to maintenance of various trackers.
The post holder will also have some line management responsibility.
Due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate is expected to work from the office for 100% of their contractual hours while training. On completion of training, the successful candidate can make use of UKHSA's hybrid working arrangement which is a minimum office attendance of 60% of contractual hours per week. Hybrid working is not a contractual obligation and time working away from the office is subject to business need and line manager approval.
Main duties of the job
1. Provide comprehensive administrative support to teams across the Region including call handling, data processing, and data entry.
2. Lead and act as a central coordinating point of contact for a range of business administration activities. This will include delegated lead responsibility for certain corporate function processes.
3. Communicate and engage effectively with a range of people, including internal and external staff and stakeholders.
4. Support the development of systems and procedures where necessary to ensure efficiency, quality and cost effectiveness across the business support and administration function.
5. Participate in relevant internal working groups/projects, services and initiatives across the organisation.
6. Carry out timely and accurate information analysis and reporting on agreed areas of their working area and present findings in an agreed manner.
7. Contribute to effective information management and assist with the dissemination and/or collation of information/returns, in a timely manner.
8. Responsible for organising and controlling own workload ensuring deadlines are observed and duties performed efficiently.
9. Provide cover as directed by line manager for other members of the team in their absence and assist with their workloads as necessary.
10. Undertake project support tasks which will involve meeting tight deadlines and may include using digital tools.
For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
About us
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
Job description
Job responsibilities
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 Competency-based assessment
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the below listed 7 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
750 word Statement of Suitability.
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 Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the below essential criteria in the below order (1. being the lead):
11. Significant administrative experience including developing, implementing, and maintaining office systems and handling sensitive information.
12. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience, including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money.
13. Ability to work well as part of a team and strive to ensure the team pulls together and is effective.
14. Ability to follow relevant policies, procedures, and legislation to complete your work.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment
Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2:
Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at the Harlow office.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
This role is based at Nexus Harlow, CM17 9TX.
Please note hybrid working is not available will be applicable after training has been completed.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
15. Significant administrative/secretarial experience including developing, implementing, and maintaining office systems and handling sensitive information.
16. Experience in using Microsoft Office software, Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint or equivalent
17. Experience of organising meetings and producing supporting paperwork, including agendas, and taking minutes/action notes.
Skills/Capability/Behaviours
Essential
18. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Take time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience, including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money.
19. Ability to follow relevant policies, procedures, and legislation to complete your work.
20. Ability to work without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
21. Ability to work well as part of a team and strive to ensure the team pulls together and is effective.