Swydd wag: Head of Virus Reference Department, UK Health Security Agency, London

Crynodeb o'r swydd

Prif leoliad

Virus

Gradd

NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant or Agenda for Change band 9

Contract

Parhaol

Oriau

Llawnamser
Rhan-amser
Rhannu swydd

10 sesiwn yr wythnos (Full time 10 Programmed Activities per week 40 hours per week (NHS Medical and Dental pay scale) or 37.5 hours per week (NHS Agenda for Change))

Cyfeirnod y swydd

919-HM-301316-EXT

Cyflogwr: UK Health Security Agency
Math o gyflogwr: Public (Non NHS)
Gwefan: Colindale
Tref: London
Cyflog: £109,725 - £145,478 per annum, pro rata
Cyfnod cyflog: Yn flynyddol
Yn cau: 15/07/2026 23:59

Head of Virus Reference Department

NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant or Agenda for Change band 9

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) prevents, prepares for and responds to infectious diseases, and environmental hazards, to keep all our communities safe, save lives and protect livelihoods.

We provide scientific and operational leadership, working with local, national and international partners to protect the public’s health and build the nation’s health security capability.

UKHSA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Swydd-ddisgrifiad a phrif gyfrifoldebau manwl

The Clinical Lead for VRD will be expected to fulfil duties and responsibilities in the following broad areas:

Provide oversight and leadership on clinical aspects, clinical risk management and clinical governance for services provided by VRD, and contribute to scientific, strategic and operational aspects of service delivery and development in VRD.
Lead and manage the delivery of a national programme of work related to development and improvement of surveillance, investigation, prevention and control of viral infections across a range of specific areas in VRD.
Lead and contribute general clinical support, for example by providing expert clinical virology interpretation and medical advice and responding to medical queries relevant to VRD’s services
Provide leadership, support and expertise to the Deputy Director and to work with the Clinical Lead of BRD, especially with various aspects of strategic planning, research and development, including clinical review and validation of new assays.
Support teaching and training initiatives related to the Division, including for medical, STP and HSST trainees.
Provide clinical and scientific leadership and subject matter expertise as part of UKHSA’s response to national standard and enhanced incidents, which may include membership of Incident Management Teams, setting up and running a Laboratory Cell response or serving as an Incident Director as part of a rota.
Act as a key member of UKHSA’s multidisciplinary team delivering outbreak detection, prevention, and control nationally.

In addition:

VRD, with the Immunisation division, provides a national clinical Rabies and Immunoglobulin advisory service to which the post-holder will be expected to contribute.
UKHSA Colindale provides an out-of-hours clinical on-call service for provision of advice on Rabies, VZIG, other immunoglobulins and anti-toxins and a range of public health and microbiological issues to which the postholder will be expected to contribute. This is a shared service with Consultant Epidemiologists and Microbiologists.
The post holder will be expected to contribute to an integrated daily clinical virology advice service provided by the medical staff at Colindale, including those that are based in other divisions.

For full details, please see attached Job Description & Person Specification.

External

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

Stage 1: Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Competency.

At sift stage you will be assessed against the essential criteria listed in the Job Description & Person Specification attached to this vacancy advert.

You will be required to complete an:

Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
1000 word Statement of Suitability/ behaviour statements / technical statements

Health jobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000.

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.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

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

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

Medical practitioners must have Full and Specialist registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) for Medical Microbiology/Virology and/or Infectious Diseases Clinical Scientists must have Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in an
appropriate discipline.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

We will only take through applications that meet all essential criteria.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview stage (competency based):

You will be invited to a remote interview.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

A 10 minute Presentation will be required on the following:

What is your vision for National Public Health Virology Reference Services?

This vacancy is being assessed using a competency based method. During the interview we will assess against the below:

Knowledge
Experience
Skills and Abilities

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

The successful candidate will be appointed to the point of the Consultant salary scale appropriate to their years of seniority or if from a background other than medicine to NHS Agenda for Change Band 9.

Inclusion in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice (or be eligible for registration within six months of interview)

If included in the GMC Specialist Register/ in a specialty other than public health medicine, candidates must have equivalent training and/or appropriate experience of public health practice

Public Health Specialty Registrar applicants who are not yet on the GMC Specialist Register must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within 6 months of gaining entry at the date of interview; all other applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the GMC.

Inclusion in the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists (or eligibility within six months of interview).

Non‑medical applicants who are not yet fully registered with the UKPHR must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they are within six months of gaining specialist registration at the date of interview. All other non‑medical applicants must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence that they have applied for inclusion in the UKPHR Specialist Register (for example, confirmation that a UKPHR specialist portfolio has been submitted).

Security Clearance

All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:

Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check.

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Colindale.

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 our campus. Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a minimum of 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. 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. 

Salary Information

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.

AfC Band 9 (UKPHR)

£112,782 - £129,783 (HCAS - plus 15% basic salary to a maximum £6,137)

Consultant (GMC)

£109,725 - £145,478 (plus £2,162 London Weighting)

UK Health Security Agency promoted diversity in the workplace and is an Equal Opportunities employer

Manyleb y person

Qualifications

Meini prawf hanfodol

Medical practitioners must have Full and Specialist registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) for Medical Microbiology/Virology and/or Infectious Diseases Clinical Scientists must have Registration with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in an appropriate discipline.
Medical practitioners must have MBBS or equivalent medical qualification Clinical Scientists must have a PhD in virology / molecular biology
Medical practitioners must be UK trained and ALSO be a holder of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or be within six months of award of CCT by date of interview. Applicants that are non-UK trained, will be required to show evidence of equivalence to the UK CCT Clinical Scientists must have FRCPath in Microbiology or Virology by examination or MRCP if applying as an ID physician
Clinical Scientists must have evidence of continuing professional development (existing consultants must be able to demonstrate active participation in recognised CPD scheme)

Meini prawf dymunol

For medically qualified applicants, an MD or PhD in virology / molecular biology

Knowledge and Experience

Meini prawf hanfodol

Proven track record of clinical virology experience with broad experience of laboratory methods, suitable for diagnostic and reference and/or research purposes
Experience of public health microbiology, and understands the role of the UKHSA and the importance of a good relationship with staff and stakeholders
Evidence of clinical risk management and of leadership and promotion of good Clinical Governance and of contributing to investigating issues arising
Understands quality assurance principles, safety requirements and procedures

Skills, Capabilities and Behaviours

Meini prawf hanfodol

Leadership: able to motivate others, encourage teamwork, delegate and get the best out of people
Ability to prioritise work in a timely manner and to work across organizational boundaries
Aptitude for managing people and assessing performance

Meini prawf dymunol

Active interest in research and development in virology evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, invited presentations, prizes and/or honours
Understanding of WHO global eradication programmes (e.g. GAPIII for polio) and issues of containment and exposures
Experience in teaching and training both medical and non-medical staff stakeholders

Equality and Diversity

Meini prawf hanfodol

An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ

If you experience technical difficulties when using Trac, please contact Support via https://apps.trac.jobs/support and provide screenshots/details of the issue encountered. If Trac cannot resolve your issue, you should notify the UKHSA Recruitment Team at [email protected] as soon as possible.

Please note that where no technical issue has been recorded by Trac, and no supporting evidence has been provided before the closing deadline, we will be unable to accept late applications. We therefore recommend submitting applications well in advance of the closing date and taking screenshots of any issues encountered.

Qualifications and Registrations

For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Civil Service Commission | Regulating recruitment into the Civil Service and helping uphold the Civil Service core values of Impartiality, Objectivity, Integrity and Honesty

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.