Job vacancy: Lead Specialist Engineer AWS Workspace, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)

Job summary

Main area

Digital & Technology

Grade

Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full time
Part time
Job share
Flexible working

37.5 hours per week

Job ref

919-SH-62187476-EXT

Employer: UK Health Security Agency
Employer type: Public (Non NHS)
Site: Core Offices
Town: Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London (Canary Wharf)
Salary: £41,983 - £52,113 Per annum, pro rata + MPS up to £5,000 based on capability assessment
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 25/03/2026 23:59

Lead Specialist Engineer AWS Workspace

Civil Service: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provide engineering and technical support for AWS Workspaces with UKHSA environments.
Develop & maintain an understanding of AWS cloud platform.
Develop & maintain the UKHSA standard Windows11 build, including customisations and updates as necessary to align with the UKHSA strategy and approved operating systems design.
Work in a collaborative manner with other ICT colleagues to deliver tasks successfully.
Plan/configure/manage/maintain all hardware and/or software components of specialist area to deliver optimum system availability to users, ensuring all supplier provided patches and upgrades to the operating system, database, tools and utilities are applied in a timely manner.
Maintain the security and integrity of all systems related to specialist area including managing all user access rights and implementation of any necessary backup regimes and other disaster recovery procedures.
Provide technical and administrative support for specialist systems, including the production of system specification documentation and the production of relevant procedures and protocols.
Monitor and manage system performance, capacity and growth, providing advice on necessary upgrades and replacement of hardware and software so as to maintain the reliability of the systems. Implement hardware changes and upgrades and database upgrades and migrations to maintain system performance and growth capacity.
Ensure compliance with UKHSA Technology and other relevant policies.
Maintain awareness of technical developments and research new technologies with a view to providing advice to the Senior Specialist Engineer on suitable deployment strategies for UKHSA.
Conduct such work as directed by the Senior Engineer or Team Manager consistently with departmental standards and to agreed timescales.
Maintain own specialist skills with appropriate professional training.
Provide the Senior Specialist Engineer or Team Manager with estimates of effort and timescales for tasks as required.
Carry out support and service to all customers during the agreed working hours, including any out of hours working.
Comply with departmental and UKHSA requirements for the reporting of all absences.
Provide a level of work that adheres to the high standards and best practices in line with the SLAs as agreed with UKHSA Users.
Train and Develop: provide training to the team members to enable provision of quality support with various technologies used by UKHSA - training would be dependent on the individual’s skills levels within the team.
Assist the line manager in carrying out 1-2-1’s during the year and PDR’s at the start of year, mid-year and end of year.

This is not an exhaustive list, and the above is only an outline of the responsibilities, tasks and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and the UKHSA.

Essential Criteria

Detailed knowledge and considerable experience of specialist technologies. Must be able to demonstrate qualification and expertise in one or more of UKHSA’s integral technologies, such as: End User Device Hardware and Core Software; Operating System Deployment (currently AWS Workspaces and Intune) and lifecycle management; End User Operating System (currently Windows 11); Mobile Device Management (Intune); AWS Workspaces and Azure Windows Virtual Desktop, W365.
Substantial experience and knowledge of Microsoft Windows 11 and PC hardware devices in a managed enterprise-scale environment
Recent experience of creating and updating operating system deployments in a large enterprise using Amazon Workspaces, Intune and Autopilot.
Recent experience of managing device security configurations and policies using Intune.
Ability to speak credibly and authoritatively to technical and non-technical audiences and assimilate technical language quickly and effectively.
Clear communicator with excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences.
Evidence of excellent customer service skills and a commitment to improving services and performance for end users.
Skills for communication on complex matters and difficult situations, requiring persuasion and influence.
Skills for nurturing key relationships and maintaining personal networks.
Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues.
Good planning and risk management skills, with the ability to pre-empt potential issues and mitigate effectively to stop system disruptions occurring.
Ability to engender trust and confidence and demonstrate integrity in the provision of advice and support
Formal technical qualification, e.g. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner MD102 or equivalent.

Desirable Criteria

Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
Problem solving skills and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience, Technical Skills and Ability.

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

Application & Sift

At sift stage you will be assessed against the 13 Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

Application form - ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application
Up to 1000 word Supporting Statement

This should outline how your previous skills and experience, technical skills and ability, and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

The Application form and Supporting Statement will be marked together.

The Application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV - please be advised you will not be able to upload or email your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your Statement of Suitability must be no more than 1000. We will not consider any words over 1000.

Longlisting

If a large number of applications are received, we will longlist into 3 piles of:

Meets all essential criteria
Meets some essential criteria
Meets no essential criteria

Only those that 'Meets all essential criteria' will progress to shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications, we will shortlist against the following lead criteria:

Detailed knowledge and considerable experience of specialist technologies. Must be able to demonstrate qualification and expertise in one or more of UKHSA’s integral technologies, such as: End User Device Hardware and Core Software; Operating System Deployment (currently AWS Workspaces and Intune) and lifecycle management; End User Operating System (currently Windows 11); Mobile Device Management (Intune); AWS Workspaces and Azure Windows Virtual Desktop, W365.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview - Success Profiles

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Interview dates to be confirmed.

Behaviours and Experience being assessed at interview will be as follows:

Delivering at Pace - Lead Behaviour
Seeing the Big Picture
Changing and Improving
Managing a Quality Service

Technical Skills and Ability will be assessed in the form of technical questions during the 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

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). 

Salary Information

Grade: Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

SEO Inner: £46,310 - £52,113
SEO Outer: £44,148 - £50,121
SEO National: £41,983 - £48,128

Per annum, pro rata.

This role attracts a Market Pay Supplement (MPS) of up to £5,000 which will be awarded based on capability assessment.

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working, based at any of our Core HQ’s - Birmingham (B2 4BH), Liverpool (L3 1DS), Leeds (LS2 7UE) and London/Canary Wharf (E14 4PU).

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/Canary Wharf).

Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from 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 basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security 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 (SC). 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

Application form & Supporting Statement

Essential criteria

Application form and Supporting Statement

Interview- Behaviours

Essential criteria

Delivering at Pace - Lead Behaviour
Seeing the Big Picture
Changing and Improving
Managing a Quality Service

Interview Questions

Essential criteria

Technical Skills and Ability

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

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 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.