Job summary The Division of Workplace, and Health and Safety is responsible for leading and transforming the delivery of UKHSA's workplace services, including asset, estate and office management, protective security, occupational health and health and safety. The Health and Safety Team (circa. 20 members) provides professional expert support, training, guidance and advice on matters relating to health and safety across UKHSA, to facilitate and ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, and to prevent incidents and protect UKHSA employees. The Head of Workplace Health and Safety is part of the central Health and Safety leadership team, contributing to strategic planning with responsibility for devising and developing (in conjunction with colleagues) programmes of work to assess and improve health and safety compliance across the UKHSA estate, which includes scientific campuses at Porton, Colindale and Chilton, and regional offices. The range and breadth of work covered by the programme is extensive and requires an individual who ideally has experience in all aspects of health and safety, (including specialised topics such as ionizing radiation and biological safety) as well as experience in strategy and policy development, programme organisation and delivery. Main duties of the job The role includes management of a team of health and safety professionals, managing their delivery and supporting their activities and development. It also requires effective contribution to the Corporate Health and Safety management team, demonstrating leadership and team working. The main thrust of the role is facilitating the successful delivery of a competent and expert health and safety service covering the breadth of work performed across UKHSA. In particular, translating objectives agreed by the Deputy Director Workplace and Health and Safety (e.g. from the UKHSA Health and Safety Improvement plan, actions arising from the UKHSA Health and Safety Committee) into practical and effective programmes of work (e.g. proactive auditing, reactive investigation processes, risk alerts, incident reporting schemes, topic specific guidance and procedures) to facilitate and assess organisational compliance with UKHSA health and safety policies and relevant health and safety legislation. A key facet of this involves working collaboratively with other managers and leads in the Corporate Health and Safety Team as well as operational leads in relevant parts of the organisation and staff-side representatives. 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 https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers Date posted 12 February 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary £68,568 to £82,746 a year per annum, pro rata Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working Reference number 919-LT-308590-EXT Job locations Chilton (Didcot), Colindale (London), Porton Chilton (Didcot), Colindale, Porton OX11 0RQ Job description Job responsibilities The role also involves: The development and management of appropriate and effective monitoring activities to ensure UKHSA operational group plans are on track with the overall UKHSA health and safety strategy and that any health and safety issues are identified at the earliest opportunity. Promotion of a positive safety culture within the organisation through effective engagement with the various stakeholders and recognising the importance of learning from mistakes and sharing best practice. Working with senior managers to develop approaches to facilitate attitudes and behaviours consistent with a positive safety culture. In collaboration with senior leaders in the UKHSA operational groups, and in particular Science Group, devise, agree and implement measurable strategies and plans to fulfil the needs of the centre/division and provide assurance to the UKHSA Executive Committee risks are being appropriately and effectively managed. Through effective management of the team, ensure the implementation of the Health and Safety strategies, policies and procedures across UKHSA. Ensuring adverse incidents/near misses are appropriately investigated in accordance with the UKHSA policy, and recommendations for improvements are tracked to completion in a timely manner. Take a proactive role in forging effective working relationships with staff side representatives and safety advocates to further drive health and safety performance. This is not an exhaustive list please see Job description document for full list of duties. Essential Criteria Health and Safety qualification Diploma, Degree or postgraduate or equivalent. Health and Safety Auditing training e.g., ISO45001, HSG65 or HSE Regulatory Inspection training or equivalent Significant experience of operating in a leadership role and delivering successful improvement outcomes in a Health and Safety setting, e.g., devising and overseeing the implementation of a range of health and safety improvement initiatives aimed at increasing organisational health and safety performance and culture. Knowledge and understanding of working at a strategic level involving political awareness within complex multi-disciplined, multi-site environments. Significant knowledge of health and safety management systems, their implementation and management. Significant experience of successfully developing and implementing health and safety policies associated with workplace H&S, including but not limited to working at height, overseas travel, multi-occupancy safety and occupational health. Extensive practical experience, understanding and implementation of a range of regulations/ guidance associated with general workplace health and safety. This includes but is not limited to managing and working with asbestos, COSHH, PUWER, PSSR, Working at Height, fire safety and other relevant legislation pertaining to the range of hazards across UKHSA. Proven track record of devising, applying and analysing complex health and safety surveys, such as the HSE climate safety tool, and derivation of time bound action plans aimed to address deficiencies. Proven track record of managing an effective system(s) for the organisational recording of risk assessments, Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments and other related safety information. Proven track record of managing high performing teams, which includes the successful delivery of multiple and varied workstreams, which takes account of expected and unexpected issues set against the consideration of individual well-being for team members. Selection Process Details This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your experience, skills, behaviours and abilities. Stage 1: Application & Sift 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) 1250 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. In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Significant experience of successfully developing and implementing health and safety policies associated with workplace H&S, including but not limited to working at height, overseas travel, multi-occupancy safety and occupational health. Extensive practical experience, understanding and implementation of a range of regulations/ guidance associated with general workplace health and safety. This includes but is not limited to managing and working with asbestos, COSHH, PUWER, PSSR, Working at Height, fire safety and other relevant legislation pertaining to the range of hazards across UKHSA. Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description). If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview (success profiles) You will be invited to a single remote interview. Experience, skills, behaviours and abilities will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Leadership (lead behaviour) Communicating and influencing Seeing the bigger picture Making effective decisions 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. Selection Process 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. Eligibility Criteria External :Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Location This role is being offered as hybrid working based at one of our Scientific Campuses. 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 (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's scientific campus sites (Colindale, Porton or Chilton). Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting 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 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. Successful candidates will require a willingness and capability to work towards Security Check (SC) clearance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances 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. Job description Job responsibilities The role also involves: The development and management of appropriate and effective monitoring activities to ensure UKHSA operational group plans are on track with the overall UKHSA health and safety strategy and that any health and safety issues are identified at the earliest opportunity. Promotion of a positive safety culture within the organisation through effective engagement with the various stakeholders and recognising the importance of learning from mistakes and sharing best practice. Working with senior managers to develop approaches to facilitate attitudes and behaviours consistent with a positive safety culture. In collaboration with senior leaders in the UKHSA operational groups, and in particular Science Group, devise, agree and implement measurable strategies and plans to fulfil the needs of the centre/division and provide assurance to the UKHSA Executive Committee risks are being appropriately and effectively managed. Through effective management of the team, ensure the implementation of the Health and Safety strategies, policies and procedures across UKHSA. Ensuring adverse incidents/near misses are appropriately investigated in accordance with the UKHSA policy, and recommendations for improvements are tracked to completion in a timely manner. Take a proactive role in forging effective working relationships with staff side representatives and safety advocates to further drive health and safety performance. This is not an exhaustive list please see Job description document for full list of duties. Essential Criteria Health and Safety qualification Diploma, Degree or postgraduate or equivalent. Health and Safety Auditing training e.g., ISO45001, HSG65 or HSE Regulatory Inspection training or equivalent Significant experience of operating in a leadership role and delivering successful improvement outcomes in a Health and Safety setting, e.g., devising and overseeing the implementation of a range of health and safety improvement initiatives aimed at increasing organisational health and safety performance and culture. Knowledge and understanding of working at a strategic level involving political awareness within complex multi-disciplined, multi-site environments. Significant knowledge of health and safety management systems, their implementation and management. Significant experience of successfully developing and implementing health and safety policies associated with workplace H&S, including but not limited to working at height, overseas travel, multi-occupancy safety and occupational health. Extensive practical experience, understanding and implementation of a range of regulations/ guidance associated with general workplace health and safety. This includes but is not limited to managing and working with asbestos, COSHH, PUWER, PSSR, Working at Height, fire safety and other relevant legislation pertaining to the range of hazards across UKHSA. Proven track record of devising, applying and analysing complex health and safety surveys, such as the HSE climate safety tool, and derivation of time bound action plans aimed to address deficiencies. Proven track record of managing an effective system(s) for the organisational recording of risk assessments, Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments and other related safety information. Proven track record of managing high performing teams, which includes the successful delivery of multiple and varied workstreams, which takes account of expected and unexpected issues set against the consideration of individual well-being for team members. Selection Process Details This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your experience, skills, behaviours and abilities. Stage 1: Application & Sift 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) 1250 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. In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Significant experience of successfully developing and implementing health and safety policies associated with workplace H&S, including but not limited to working at height, overseas travel, multi-occupancy safety and occupational health. Extensive practical experience, understanding and implementation of a range of regulations/ guidance associated with general workplace health and safety. This includes but is not limited to managing and working with asbestos, COSHH, PUWER, PSSR, Working at Height, fire safety and other relevant legislation pertaining to the range of hazards across UKHSA. Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description). If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview (success profiles) You will be invited to a single remote interview. Experience, skills, behaviours and abilities will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Leadership (lead behaviour) Communicating and influencing Seeing the bigger picture Making effective decisions 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. Selection Process 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. Eligibility Criteria External :Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Location This role is being offered as hybrid working based at one of our Scientific Campuses. 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 (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's scientific campus sites (Colindale, Porton or Chilton). Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting 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 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. Successful candidates will require a willingness and capability to work towards Security Check (SC) clearance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances 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. Person Specification Application Form and Statement of Suitability Essential Application Form and Statement of Suitability Behaviours Essential Leadership (Lead behaviour) Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Person Specification Application Form and Statement of Suitability Essential Application Form and Statement of Suitability Behaviours Essential Leadership (Lead behaviour) Communicating and Influencing Seeing the Big Picture Making Effective Decisions Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). Employer details Employer name UK Health Security Agency Address Chilton (Didcot), Colindale (London), Porton Chilton (Didcot), Colindale, Porton OX11 0RQ Employer's website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)