Pharmacist / Pharmacy Technician – Department of Health and Social Care
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is recruiting a Pharmacist / Pharmacy Technician to join its Medicines Supply Team within the Medicines Directorate.
The role focuses on supporting the management of medicines supply issues, shortages and discontinuations, helping to ensure patients and the NHS continue to have access to the medicines they need.
Job Details
- Employer: Department of Health and Social Care
- Job title: Pharmacist / Pharmacy Technician
- Reference: 483489
- Salary: £44,054 – £48,476.48
- Location: Leeds or London
- Job grade: Senior Executive Officer
- Contract: Fixed-term, loan or secondment
- Duration: 24 months
- Working pattern: Full-time or part-time, with flexible working
- Part-time requirement: Minimum 0.9 FTE
- Number of vacancies: 2
- Business area: DHSC – Secondary Care and Integration Group – Medicines Directorate
- Closing date: 15 October 2026 at 11:55pm
About the Role
The Medicines Supply Team is responsible for overseeing the NHS pharmaceutical supply chain and managing medicines shortages and discontinuations.
The successful candidate will provide professional pharmacy and operational input, working with colleagues across DHSC, NHS England, regulatory bodies, suppliers and professional networks.
The role involves assessing medicines supply problems, identifying risks and practical solutions, supporting communications and briefings, and helping develop processes for managing supply disruption.
The team works in a changing environment, so the successful applicant will need to be adaptable and able to change priorities when required.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the operational management of medicines supply issues.
- Gather information, assess potential impacts and identify management options.
- Provide professional pharmacy input into the assessment of shortages and discontinuations.
- Help identify risks, mitigations and practical actions to reduce the impact on patients and the NHS.
- Work with DHSC, NHS England, MHRA, UKHSA, suppliers and professional networks.
- Contribute to advice, briefings, correspondence and Parliamentary business.
- Support the development of tools, processes and operating procedures.
- Contribute to risk assessment, contingency planning, communications and performance insight.
- Provide day-to-day support to colleagues and share professional knowledge.
- Help coordinate defined tasks across the team where appropriate.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Experience supporting operational delivery and managing a varied caseload.
- Professional pharmacy judgement and the ability to assess risks.
- Understanding of the clinical, operational and patient impact of medicines supply issues.
- Ability to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to communicate complex information clearly.
- Ability to support colleagues, share knowledge and contribute to team delivery.
- Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Desirable Experience
Experience supporting the management of medicines supply issues is desirable, including risk assessment, stakeholder working, communications and delivering practical actions in a busy operational environment.
Civil Service Behaviours
The following behaviours will be assessed during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Evidence is requested on the application form for Making Effective Decisions.
Benefits
The successful candidate will receive a range of benefits, including:
- Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- Learning and development tailored to the role.
- Flexible working options.
- An inclusive working environment.
- Annual leave starting at 25 days for new entrants, rising to 30 days with service, plus privilege leave.
- 37 hours per week for full-time staff, pro rata for part-time employees.
Application and Selection Process
Applications will be assessed using the Civil Service Success Profiles framework.
Candidates will be assessed on their CV, personal statement and behaviours.
The personal statement should be no more than 1,000 words and explain how the applicant meets the key skills and experience required for the role.
Candidates who progress to interview will be assessed on behaviours and experience. Interview questions will include stakeholder management, managing competing priorities and addressing complex supply-chain challenges.
A presentation will also assess Making Effective Decisions.
- Expected sift: Week commencing 19 October 2026
- Expected interview: Week commencing 9 November 2026
- Interview format: Video
Applicants may be required to undergo BPSS and basic criminal record checks.
Visa Sponsorship / Right to Work
Visa sponsorship is not stated as being available in this advert.
This is a Civil Service role with specific nationality and eligibility requirements. The advert states that applicants must fall within the eligible nationality/right-to-work categories for Civil Service employment.
Applicants requiring new UK visa sponsorship should not assume that sponsorship is available and should confirm their eligibility before applying.
Current General Pharmaceutical Council registration is also required for the role.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official Civil Service Jobs vacancy.
Reference: 483489
Closing date: 15 October 2026 at 11:55pm.
Source: Civil Service Jobs / Department of Health and Social Care