Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London –Canary Wharf (Core HQs)
Job Summary
The wider Directorate is pivotal to UKHSA's mission, overseeing the comprehensive delivery of commercial, contract management, and business development functions. It manages a vast commercial portfolio, ensuring the agency has the resources to address health security threats. The directorate leads the procurement, storage, and distribution of vaccines and countermeasures for national immunisation and emergency response programmes.
It fosters industry partnerships, drives strategic market engagement, and builds supply chain resilience. Additionally, the team is responsible for investment governance, dispute management, and building commercial capabilities. They also develop and execute strategies for income generation, leveraging UKHSA’s expertise and facilities to secure funding and commercial opportunities.
The Security Analyst for Vaccines & Countermeasures Delivery (VCD) is responsible for identifying emerging security risks and threats affecting UKHSA's VCD programmes, sharing intelligence with relevant authorities and suppliers. The role involves maintaining the security stance for 3PL warehousing and vaccine suppliers, advising on physical and cyber security risks, and managing security controls.
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.
Job Description
* Conduct regular horizon scanning to identify emerging security threats or risks impacting UKHSA’s Vaccines & Countermeasures Delivery (VCD) programmes and request/share relevant intelligence with National Technical Authorities, Police, National Highways and Suppliers to maintain security.
* Establish and maintain the appropriate security stance for UKHSA regarding 3PL warehousing and Vaccine VCD Suppliers, providing the Supply Chain Assurance & Security Lead with assurance of the effectiveness of these controls and provide recommendations where additional actions will support assurance activities.
* Responsible for providing advice and guidance to third party logistics (3PL) and VCD Suppliers covering all aspects of security, including relationship management, the management of physical security risks and maintenance of security standards.
* Create dashboard and maintain risk register showing key security and assurance metrics, highlighting risks and improvement opportunities where applicable, sharing in agreed cadences internally within UKHSA and beyond where necessary.
* Maintain Directorate’s security incident response capability. In the event of an incident, work alongside the impacted organisation(s) and Supply Chain and Security Lead to coordinate actions and communications across the Directorate / UKHSA.
This role is part of the Vaccine Programmes and Operations department and reports into the Supply Chain Assurance and Security Lead.
Our Storage and Distribution Team in VCD leads on the storage and distribution of vaccines and countermeasures, working closely with delivery partners such as 3PLs, NHS supply teams, and all UK nations. We ensure seamless delivery by maintaining robust relationships, upholding the highest quality standards, and leveraging our expertise in GDP (Good Distribution Practice) to safeguard supply chain integrity and public health.
The team ensures supply chain security by implementing measures that protect the integrity of vaccine storage and distribution. This includes monitoring temperature-controlled logistics to preserve product efficacy, preventing theft or diversion through strict chain-of-custody protocols, and performing risk assessments to mitigate vulnerabilities. We also maintain traceability of inventory to ensure compliance and reduce potential disruptions.
We oversee the re-procurement of storage and distribution contracts, ensuring they meet operational and quality standards while maintaining alignment with programme requirements. By managing KPIs and reporting operational performance to Commercial, Finance, and in-house Quality teams, we provide assurance that contractual expectations are met, risks are mitigated, and financial accountability and Value for Money (VfM) for taxpayers are achieved and maintained.
The team continuously seeks to optimise supply chain processes, striving for efficiencies and adopting a culture of continuous improvement. This includes leveraging feedback, analysing performance data, and engaging with stakeholders to identify areas for enhancement. By embracing innovation and refining workflows, we ensure the supply chain remains resilient, cost-effective, and fit for purpose.
Our collaborative approach spans internal and external partners, including NHS central supply teams, DHSC, and the VCD Vaccine & Immunisation Programme Teams. By providing a unified point of contact for delivery and execution, we co-own forward planning with the Demand & Analytics team and support national programmes in ensuring readiness for supply mobilisation.
Feedback is regularly shared with programmes and Senior Leadership to identify cost efficiencies, improve supply chain processes, and strengthen operational resilience.
Through our commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement, the team ensures vaccines and countermeasures are distributed safely, effectively, and efficiently, supporting the critical mission of VCD and UKHSA.
For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
You will be assessed on the below 9 essential criteria, which have been selected from the JD
* Extensive experience in physical security standards and business continuity planning.
* Experience in data reporting, risk management, and security coordination.
* Knowledge of physical security risks, business continuity planning, and security standards, particularly within logistics and vaccine supply chains.
* Strong skills in risk management, intelligence sharing, data reporting, and dashboard creation.
* Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
* Effective communication and incident response coordination.
* Ability to identify emerging security threats and/or risks and to identify and present possible solutions to senior management.
* Ability to work under pressure with urgent and conflicting priorities in a politically sensitive environment.
* Educated to degree level in a relevant field (such as Security Management, Risk Management, Supply Chain Management) or relevant equivalent industry experience.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Alongside your salary of £40,661, UK Health Security Agency contributes £11,779 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
* 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%.
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 assessments
Required
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).
* 1200- 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.
Longlisting: 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.
Please note Piles 1 & 2 will be carried through to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
* Educated to degree level in a relevant field (such as Security Management, Risk Management, Supply Chain Management) or relevant equivalent industry experience.
* Extensive experience in physical security standards and business continuity planning.
* Experience in data reporting, risk management, and security coordination.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 1200-words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
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/
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a single remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
There will be a Presentation.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
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
Hybrid any Core HQ
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ’s. 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 core HQ’s (Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London).
Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
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.
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.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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).
* 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.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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.
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.
The Civil Service Code 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.
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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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 : Chris Williams
* Email : chris.williams2@ukhsa.gov
Recruitment team
* Email : chris.williams2@ukhsa.gov
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 UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr