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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
Regulatory Compliance Officer
Accepting applications until: 16-Oct-2025 23:59
Vacancy status: Open
Accepting applications until: 16-Oct-2025 23:59
Key details
Location
- Gwefan
- Bristol
- Tref
- Bristol
- Cod post
- BS10 5NB
- Major / Minor Region
- London
Contract type & working pattern
- Contract
- Permanent
- Oriau
- Full time
- Part time
- Job share
- Flexible working
Salary
- Cyflog
- £33,422 - £46,580 AfC Band 6: £38,682 - £40,823 - £46,580 per annum, pro rata
- Cyfnod cyflog
- Yearly
- Gradd
- (Civil Service: Higher Executive Officer (HEO))
Specialty
- Prif leoliad
- Compliance
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
We are seeking a Regulatory Compliance Officer (HEO or AfC Band 6)
Candidates holding HCPC registration will be appointed on NHS Terms & Conditions at NHS AfC Band 6. Candidates without HCPC registration will be appointed on Civil Service Terms and Conditions at HEO grade.
The laboratory in Bristol is situated within the Severn Pathology suite of laboratories at North Bristol NHS Trust Southmead site. The laboratory receives in excess of 1 million specimens a year from a large number of clinical specialties across the Bristol and Bath hospital trusts which contribute to an interesting and varied workload.
The post-holder supports the Quality and IVD programme in Infection Sciences, Severn Pathology, working with the Quality Implementation and Compliance Manager, Operations Team and Technical Managers in complying with regulatory affairs, achieving, and maintaining high quality performance and supporting continual improvement in service delivery in all processes in accordance with UKHSA policies and procedures.
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The applicant must have a keen interest in quality management and be educated to degree level or equivalent in microbiology or a related pathology discipline.
The laboratory is accredited to ISO 15189:2022 and we actively encourage CPD activities.
In return we will provide a comprehensive induction programme and you will be appraised on a yearly basis with a view to developing knowledge and skills where appropriate.
In collaboration with the Infection Sciences Laboratories Bristol Quality Manager and team to become familiar with the area of work for which he/she is Regulatory Compliance Officer and be familiar with relevant statutory requirements, including awareness of regulatory acts, clinical governance, risk management, Caldicott and quality policies and procedure of UKHSA Bristol.
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
Main duties & responsibilities continued:
Regulatory Compliance
- To ensure that Infection Sciences Laboratories – Bristol comply with IVD regulations, relevant ISO and other accreditation standards in collaboration with the IVD Programme Core Team, Quality team, and other staff.
- To take delegated regulatory and quality management tasks from the Quality Manager and deputy.
- Work with others to fulfill the regulatory and quality related responsibilities and functions of the laboratories or units that the post holder is assigned to.
- Provide practical support for preparation for and organization of inspections by third party assessors, such as UKAS, HSE and WHO assessors and to progress issues arising from these inspections.
- Assist the laboratory Quality Team and Quality Manager to ensure compliance with IVDR Regulations.
- Carry out regular internal audits and ensure that investigations and corrective actions are addressed in a timely manner.
- To assist the notification of adverse incidents on the Governance Information System (Trackwise) and support the investigation and resolution of incidents.
- To support the continuous improvement in service delivery and quality compliance within all areas of Infection Sciences Laboratories Bristol, using modern methods in ensuring the highest standards of quality, regulatory and process control.
- To collaborate with the Quality Team and APCU Team within UKHSA, attending requirement meetings as required.
- To implement the measuring and monitoring of key process indicators within the laboratory.
- Assist laboratory staff to comply with applicable regulatory and quality standards.
- To perform any other duties required by the line manager and deputise for the line manager.
Health & Safety
- Collaborate with the Quality Manager to ensure that relevant UKHSA health and safety policies are implemented in collaboration with the safety team.
- To ensure that incidents and accidents are reported on a timely basis and that the UKHSA’s statutory responsibilities for health, safety and welfare matters are fulfilled, e.g. Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.
- Liaise closely with Laboratory Safety Officers in collaboration with the Regulatory Compliance Manager to ensure that health, safety and welfare is afforded priority over other issues and to demonstrate a commitment to health, safety and welfare regarding self, staff and visitors.
- Work in a safe manner, report all accidents and incidents, comply with safety policies and procedures and participate in the internal and external safety audits, as required.
- Co-operate on mattes of health and safety to enable the UKHSA to comply with its health and safety responsibilities.
- Liaise with the Laboratory Safety Officer and Quality Manager to help resolve safety and quality issues highlighted through quality related activities.
- To attend mandatory fire, manual handling training, etc.
Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care of the health and safety of yourself and others which may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the UKHSA on matters of health and safety.
Communication
- To communicate effectively and accurately by oral and written means, and to ensure full and effective communication throughout the laboratory, making certain that all staff are included where appropriate
- To attend training meetings, tutorials, lectures and conferences, etc.
- To take responsibility for internal communications.
Information Technology
- Apply computer databases, word processing and other specialized software packages to all aspects of maintaining and developing quality systems, in particular Q-Pulse quality management software to support the quality systems in UKHSA Bristol.
- Use databases and software packages.
Other
- The above is only an outline of tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Quality Manager, Head of Technical Services, or Head of Business Operations.
- The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organization
Essential role criteria:
- Science degree (biological science, environmental science, biomedical science, statistics) or equivalent in microbiology or a related pathology discipline OR Health and Care Professions Council – State Registration Biomedical Scientist/Clinical Scientist
- Evidence of continuing professional development and willingness to continue the learning process through academic or practical experience
- Sound knowledge of common IT programmes, including Q-Pulse and excellent keyboard and IT skills
- Substantial laboratory experience working in an accredited medical laboratory
- Experience in applying a range of standards, regulations and guidelines applicable to clinical laboratories
- Understanding of IVD governance principles and procedures
- Understanding and experience of change management
- Experience of implementing projects
- Excellent verbal and written communication, data analysis and statistical skill
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of the team
- Excellent interpersonal, negotiating, and organisational skills, self-motivated, analytical and adaptable
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Desirable role criteria:
- Quality management qualification and knowledge of Regulatory compliance
- An understanding of microbiology and its application in clinical practice and public health
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
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (12) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1000 word supporting statement.
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 supporting statement 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
The following will be taken through to the next stage:
- Meets all essential criteria
Shortlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following:
- Substantial laboratory experience working in an accredited medical laboratory
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.
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.
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.
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at the Bristol site. 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.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
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 office/lab based at our site in Bristol.
If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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. 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.
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 Counter-terrorist 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). 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
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Link below:
Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers
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
Future location
UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.
The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.
Applicant requirements
Person specification
application form and supporting statement
Meini prawf hanfodol
- application form and supporting statement
Essential Criteria
Meini prawf hanfodol
- Questions on experience, knowledge and skills
Documents
- JD (PDF, 334.2KB)
- 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
- Gurkamal Bhambra
- Teitl y swydd
- Resourcing
- Cyfeiriad ebost
- [email protected]
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