Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location London About the job Job summary In the Department of Health and Social Care, we are proud of our purpose to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you would like to work in, we would love to hear from you. Emergencies can happen at any time. It is the role of the Operational Response Centre in DHSC to ensure the health and social care sector is ready to respond, and to provide support to the sector when it is needed. There are a number of risks that could pose a serious threat to the delivery of critical health and care services to the public. As a Emergency Preparedness Policy Adviser, it will be your job to build a picture of those risks, understand the capability of the health and social care sector to respond, develop Government policy and find ways to build its resilience. The Operational Response Centre covers all aspects of the crisis management cycle: identifying risks, assessing preparedness, agreeing Government policy, building mitigations, responding to incidents, recovering, and learning lessons. In joining our team, you will have the opportunity to get involved in all parts of the cycle, building a strong portfolio of skills and experience in this exciting and unique area of the Government. We are looking for someone keen, willing to get involved and who thrives on variety. We want someone who can work on longer-term projects and also be able to respond quickly to incidents when they occur. The Operational Response Centre is a friendly and proactive team who work closely with our partners in our arms-length bodies (such as NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency) and across government (including with the Cabinet Office and Home Office) to deliver a professional emergency response, risk and resilience function. We are committed to being an inclusive employer which values and celebrates diversity. We encourage applications from candidates of all educational, professional and social backgrounds and of all genders, ethnicities and sexual orientations as well as disabled backgrounds, as it is important that our workforce and policies reflect the society, we live in. Job description We are recruiting for two Emergency Preparedness Policy Adviser posts. The role of an Emergency Preparedness Policy Adviser in the Operational Response Centre will give the postholders the opportunity to utilise and enhance their skills in policy making, problem solving, operational delivery and risk management. They will focus on building the health and social care sectors capability to respond to a variety of risks. Across the two roles, core functions will include: Mapping threats to the health sector, building a detailed understanding of impacts and identifying mitigations; Leading on parts of the national pandemic preparedness exercise; Contributing to the development of Government policy; Developing contingency plans, in conjunction with other policy teams and partners across government, to inform an incident response; Assisting the sector in developing their response capability and identify areas to build future resilience. Person specification Role responsibilities: Responsibilities across the two roles will be varied, but could include: Participating in and supporting the core and surge teams in preparing for emergency preparedness exercises, including a large-scale multi-agency pandemic preparedness exercise in 2025. Support on aspects of cross-government resilience and preparedness work including threats and hazards set out in the Governments National Risk Register. Building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders such as the NHS England Resilience team (who have the operational responsibility for the delivery of resilience programmes for the NHS in England), the UK Health Security Agency (who provide specialist knowledge on public health risks), and other Government Departments. Working with system partners to develop and deliver training and exercising to meet the risk landscape. Supporting the health and care system in preparing for possible major events. Support the development and delivery of health system governance and assurance. Co-ordinate and push forward the health and social care sectors work on high profile risks such as Energy Disruption and resilient communications. Due to the nature of the work, the role is based in London and the successful candidate will be expected to regularly attend in person meetings and, if needed during an incident, will need to be able to work in the London office at short notice. DHSC currently requires staff to work in the office for a minimum of 12 days per month (prorated for part time contracts). The successful candidate will also be expected to support the wider responsibilities of the Operational Response Centre team by contributing to corporate activities and being part of the Departments emergency response function. This will include potentially working to a shift pattern including outside of normal working hours. Key skills and experience required for the role: Essential: Ability to build good relationships with a wide range of stakeholders Able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing Calm under pressure and able to work at pace with confidence Capable of managing different priorities and shifting priorities at short notice A strong team player Ability to learn new topics quickly and develop a strong knowledge base to support emergency decision making. Willingness to work to a shift pattern which may include some out of hours or weekend working while standing up to an emergency Desirable: Experience of emergency preparedness and / or operational response Knowledge of health and care sector Candidates interested in hearing more about the role are encouraged to contact the details at the bottom of the advert, as an information session may be hosted. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Working Together Seeing the Big Picture We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Working Together Benefits Alongside your salary of £37,694, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £10,919 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% Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, London. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration, and enhancing team working, learning, and support. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need. There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. Selection process details Applications will be sifted W/C: 24/02/2025 Interview date: W/C 10/03/2025 Interview location: Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview. Further details and interview slots will be released to candidates who are successful at sift. Applications will be sifted on personal statement and behaviours. An initial sift based on personal statement may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. Please use your personal statement to outline how you meet the essential and desirable criteria as set out in the job advert, in no more than 500 words. At interview candidates will be assessed on the behaviours delivering at pace, communicating and influencing and working together. Separately seeing the bigger picture will be assessed via a presentation. Strengths will also be tested. To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service careers website https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-department-of-health-social-care/ and to find out more information on how to apply visit the Civil Service careers website https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/ Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available. Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate. Candidates must ensure that all information provided in their application is detailed in their own words and is factually accurate. Any examples provided must be taken from personal experience. The Civil Service abides by honesty and integrity as part of its core values, if evidence of plagiarism or generating answers from other sources is found, applications may be withdrawn. Please note that applicants will require BPSS clearance. Further Information Any move to DHSC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk Reasonable Adjustment If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via dhscRECRUITMENT.GRS cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return. Terms and Conditions Candidates should note that DHSCs Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. New Entrants to the Civil Service New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSCs modernised terms and conditions: Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the Kings birthday Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay and five months half pay Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service Probation: 6 month probation period Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSCs modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion If DHSCs modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSCs pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSCs modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above). 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. 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) (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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 also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. 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 : Naa Acquah and Dominic Gould Email : dominic.goulddhsc.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : dhscrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information 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 the DHSC Central Recruitment Team at DHSCrecruitmentdhsc.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ Attachments General Pay Principles on Recruitment (4) Opens in new window (pdf, 72kB) Share this page Print Email Gmail Facebook LinkedIn