Trac proudly powers the recruitment for
UK Health Security Agency

About
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) will be responsible for planning, preventing and responding to external health threats, and providing intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage. UKHSA will ensure the nation can respond quickly and at greater scale to deal with pandemics and future threats.
Contact
- Address
- 10 South Colonnade
- London
- E14 4PU
Head of Site Services
Accepting applications until: 19-Jun-2025 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 19-Jun-2025 23:59
Key details
Location
- Gwefan
- UKHSA Colindale
- Tref
- London
- Cod post
- NW9 5EQ
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Oriau
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
Salary
- Cyflog
- £72,739 - £82,746 per annum, pro rata
- Cyfnod cyflog
- Yearly
- Gradd
- (Civil Service: Grade 6)
Specialty
- Prif leoliad
- Science
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:
- Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
- Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
- Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
- Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
- Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.
Trosolwg o'r swydd
The Facilities Management Department (FMD) sits within the Scientific Facilities Division and is responsible for: engineering; equipment and building maintenance; capital works projects for the Colindale site; environmental sustainability to maintain regulatory and compliant facilities to meet current and future business objectives; and site security at Colindale, working with relevant law enforcement agencies and security advisors.
This position has responsibility for site services provided at the UKHSA Colindale site by the Scientific Facilities Division. The post holder will have responsibility to lead and direct engineering and facility services at this site as well as provide occasional engineering cover and peer support to the UKHSA Head of Site for Harlow, as required.
Advert
The Head of Site Services role acts as the lead of the sites operations, managing and controlling key gold contracts on the sites, including Hard Facilities Management (FM), Soft FM and Security to assure contract deliverables and governance in the supply of services to uphold the asset value of UKHSA’s estate and to meet UKHSA business objectives. The Engineering function engages with the site stakeholders and Science Hub Programme over current and future engineering, building and equipment maintenance requirements to ensure facilities and equipment will be operationally fully available to meet their business needs.
The function embraces all engineering aspects from the supply of utilities, provision of environmental conditions to meet the regulatory/compliant (HSE, MHRA, DEFRA, Department for Transport, NPSA, NaCTSO, Home Office and needs of external customers) for high containment and general research laboratories, storage facilities and general offices, through to minor/major servicing, calibration and the installation of specialised laboratory/process equipment.
The function provides assurance to senior management that engineering works and maintenance activities are carried out in a safe and secure manner, that engineering solutions support environmental sustainability in terms of government carbon reduction targets and that expenditure is controlled to meet allocated budgets and that all works are carried out to meet regulatory and compliant standards.
Gweithio i'n sefydliad
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
Swydd-ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl
The main responsibilities will include:
- Ensure the safe and compliant management of all maintenance and engineering services across the Colindale site. Direct and oversee the delivery of strategic and day-to-day engineering services for the sites, identifying and delivering a programme of planned preventive maintenance (PPM) and remedial works as and when required through the Hard FM provider.
- Deliver a variety of complex and diverse strategic infrastructure engineering and planned built asset lifecycle replacement projects, ensuring that all operational maintenance, engineering and project-related health and safety requirements are clearly communicated and diligently applied
- Ensure that the Hard FM provider carries out planned and reactive maintenance works in accordance with relevant UKHSA tender specification, policies and procedures and the agreed maintenance programme.
- Direct and oversee the security management arrangements for the Colindale site, including the outsourced site guarding team, liaising as and when required with relevant law enforcement and security agencies e.g. Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and local police.
- Monitor various reports, including compliance testing, planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive works, other service reports, calibrations, facility alarms and any other reports relating to the maintenance programme.
- Ensure appointment, management and availability of suitable Authorised, Responsible and Competent Persons across the scope of engineering and maintenance activities to meet regulatory and project requirements and incident / emergency response requirements.
- For the specialist laboratory and monitoring facilities, ensure that HAZOPS are kept up to date and reflect any changes made to the facility, and that the monthly alarm listing issued by the Hard FM provider is reviewed and acted on as necessary. Act as the engineering site lead for any Health and Safety Executive, or other regulatory, interventions at the UKHSA Colindale site. Responsible for the health and safety of all site users and visitors to site on a day-to-day basis.
- Develop and issue operational and strategic performance and estate benchmarking reports as required. To monitor all engineering works to specialist laboratory facilities to ensure the works are compliant with all regulatory and service delivery requirements.
- Ensure effective communications with site users from across UKHSA, the immediate FMD Team, the Scientific Facilities Division and ensure effective co-ordination with counterparts at the Hard and Soft FM providers.
- Authorise and review User Requirement Specifications (URS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and generation of design documentation related to engineering systems within Facilities.
- Provide and ensure a responsive service as required in respect of unplanned or emergency situations requiring technical expertise and advice which may impact on critical operations or service delivery. Implement and maintain a level of infrastructure resilience and incident planning to ensure critical service and business continuity is adequately supported. This includes being a member of the out-of-hours on-call Facilities arrangement for the UKHSA Colindale site.
- To develop, lead and motivate the Facilities Team and ensure consistent and optimal performance of their duties (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers).
- Attend and chair meetings, as appropriate and necessary, and liaise with key UKHSA stakeholders and customers, contractors, consultants, design/project team and external organisations as required.
- To ensure appropriate, up to date documentation is in place to support the operation of the site, including appropriate insurance policies, fire evacuation plans and training, business continuity plan/s, risk registers, risk assessments, asset lists, etc.
Please see the job description for the full list of responsibilities.
Essential role criteria
- Chartered Engineer Status
- Degree Qualified in Mechanical or Building Services Engineering
- Substantial experience in a senior engineering and maintenance management role with understanding of complex maintenance and engineering installations, their operation and maintenance and including proving regulatory compliance
- Experience of successfully leading a variety of major specialist engineering initiatives
- Demonstrated experience of large scale and specialized contract management and of commissioning engineering systems
- Experience of identifying, reporting and mitigating a range of risks associated with high hazard sites in either the public or private sector and of risk-based prioritization
- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to lead teams and build effective working relationships at all levels and between organisations, building coalitions of the willing and able
- You proactively create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation. You identify connections and reach out to bring people together
- You are positive and lead and support others through change
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to scan the horizon, anticipating future challenges and mitigating actions
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Selection Process
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
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1000 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
Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Chartered Engineer Status
- Degree Qualified in Mechanical or Building Services Engineering
- Substantial experience in a senior engineering and maintenance management role with understanding of complex maintenance and engineering installations, their operation and maintenance and including proving regulatory compliance
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
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.
Please do not exceed 1000 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 face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-10 minute presentation at the start of your interview. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Location
This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale, London. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.
Please note the successful candidate will be expected to work weekends and bank holidays as part of this role.
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 / Security Check clearance.
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 5 years as the role requires Security Check clearance.
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.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
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.
This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.
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
For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.
Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.
Working for the Civil Service
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 equality of opportunity. 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: [email protected] 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 here.
Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.
The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available.
Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.
UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.
If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
Any move to UKHSA 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/.
Benefits of working at UKHSA include:
- Generous annual leave:
-26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
-28 days after 5 years of continuous service
-32 days after 10 years of continuous service
-Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday - Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
- Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
- We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
- We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.
Hybrid Working
UKHSA operates 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 usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.
Disability Confident Scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview. If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.
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 take into account 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/
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 could be time accrued over that period.
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.
Security Vetting
Please check the Security Clearance needed for the role and follow the link for more information:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels
Applicant requirements
Person specification
Essential Criteria
Meini prawf hanfodol
- Application Form and Statement of Suitability
Essential Criteria
Meini prawf hanfodol
- Questions on experience, knowledge and skills
Documents
- Job Description (PDF, 408.4KB)
- Civil Service Recruitment Principles (PDF, 2.6MB)
- Civil Service Nationality Rules (PDF, 195.3KB)
- Application Form Guidance Notes (PDF, 77.3KB)
- Information Sheet - Starting salaries and benefits (PDF, 129.4KB)
- Information Sheet - Selection Process (PDF, 110.1KB)
- Working at UKHSA and your benefits (PDF, 219.2KB)
Further details / informal visits contact
- Enw
- Jon Payne
- Teitl y swydd
- Recruitment Support
- Cyfeiriad ebost
- [email protected]
Start your application
Sign in
Create an account
Create your account and apply for your new job!