Personal Assistant

Job summary The UKHSA Public Health Laboratories are unique in having a managed network strategically placed across the country, that together with national centres, deliver a total microbiology service, providing end to end diagnostic services with specialist consultant specialist clinical advice.
This network provides the national surveillance information and evidence for controlling outbreaks, effective public health interventions and for the prevention of a wide range of infectious disease affecting the population.
The managed network of clinical and public health laboratories is based throughout England in various strategic locations including Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, and Manchester, providing specialist public health and diagnostic microbiology.
Public health microbiology is also provided by collaborating centres at Brighton, Newcastle, Leeds and Southampton.
The network also comprises of three food water and environmental laboratories (London, Porton and York), which perform a range of specialist microbiology tests on food, water and environmental samples to local authorities, Port Health authorities, the NHS and nationally to Food Standards Agency.
Main duties of the job The post-holder will have responsibility for administrative functions for the Colindale Sequencing Laboratory in the UKHSA.
This comprises of a high throughput and regional sequencing.The primary responsibility of the post-holder will be to manage their day-to-day workload and use their initiative with limited supervision and necessitates a thorough understanding of the role/work and relevant procedures, as well as excellent judgement, organisational ability, and communication skills.
Much of the work is non-routine and requires an ability to cope with working to tight and multiple deadlines.
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 Job description Job responsibilities Organising meetings and minute taking Managing and escorting visitors as appropriate Administration and maintaining a robust system of document management and control Maintain constructive relationships and communicate effectively with all members of the Colindale Sequencing Laboratory team and other stakeholders as appropriate Undertake information/project work and contribute to effective information management.
Deliver against agreed objectives, achieving quality outcomes To work as part of the Colindale Sequencing Laboratory team providing support to the department and other staff and to ensure essential cover during sickness and absence.
To undertake projects and functions as agreed by the Colindale Sequencing Laboratory Unit Head.
Dealing with invoices, ordering, and receipting goods on the MaPS internal UKHSA procurement system.
To support HR recruitment functions.
For a full list of the main duties and responsibilities of the role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive.
The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
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 below listed 11 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 you consider 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.
Please do not exceed 1000 words.
We will not consider any words over and above this number.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.
Stage 2: Interview You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.
Interviews will be held week commencing TBC.
Please note, these dates are subject to change.
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 office working based at: UKHSA Colindale61 Colindale Ave,London,NW9 5EQ Eligibility Criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
If based at one of our scientific locations 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.
Person Specification Essential Essential Significant experience of working with high profile stakeholders in a regional or national environment High level and proven secretarial/PA skills GCSE or equivalent qualifications at C or above in English and Mathematics Understanding of the importance of "customer" service.
Seeks to understand customer requirements and deliver services that are responsive to diverse customer needs with skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining networks Clear communicator with good writing, reporting writing and presentation skills, capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands Professional calm and efficient manner and experience of working with senior staff and skills for nurturing relationships and maintaining networks Good organisational skills and systematic approach to working An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day practices, but also in relation to management systems with an understanding that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex information