Business Support Officer

Departmental Business Support Officer – UK Health Security Agency

UK Government Job | Permanent | Hybrid | Full-Time / Part-Time Options

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is recruiting a Departmental Business Support Officer to join its Radiation Effects and Radiation Dosimetry team within the Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards (RCCE) Directorate.

This is a Higher Executive Officer (HEO) position offering a salary of £35,587–£43,244 per year, pro rata, with a Civil Service pension and flexible working options.

Job Overview

About the Role

The successful candidate will provide business and operational support across the Department, Division and Directorate.

The role involves managing and improving business systems and processes while supporting functions such as:

• Finance
• Procurement
• Human Resources
• Accommodation
• Governance
• Business continuity
• Risk management
• Staff engagement
• Internal communications
• Project support
• Executive assistance

You may also provide Executive Assistant support to a Deputy Director and work with colleagues based at different UKHSA locations or working remotely.

Key Responsibilities

Business Support

You will be responsible for supporting the effective operation of the Department, Division and Directorate.

Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying opportunities to improve business processes.
• Providing secretariat and managerial support to senior management meetings.
• Supporting internal meetings, external networks and committees.
• Helping deliver business plans and key priorities.
• Providing executive assistance to the Department Head and Deputy Director.
• Managing diaries and emails where required.
• Preparing briefings and presentations for senior meetings.
• Commissioning work from other teams or directorates.
• Managing correspondence and emails during periods of senior staff absence.
• Undertaking research and ad hoc projects.

Project Support

The role will also involve supporting corporate projects and service reviews.

Responsibilities may include:

• Supporting corporate projects and service reviews.
• Identifying opportunities to improve ways of working.
• Responding to information requests.
• Working to tight deadlines.
• Providing statistical and other information to project leads.
• Planning and managing elements of projects.
• Maintaining project plans when a dedicated project officer is unavailable.
• Supporting the provision of management information.
• Participating in project working groups.

Financial and Resource Management

You will support effective financial and resource management across the Department and Division.

This includes:

• Following UKHSA financial governance processes.
• Supporting budget holders with finance procedures.
• Monitoring project budget expenditure.
• Preparing financial and management reports.
• Procuring services, supplies and equipment in line with corporate policies.
• Responding to internal and external audit requirements.
• Maintaining accurate records and efficient record-management processes.

Leadership and Management

The successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate strong leadership, organisation and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities include:

• Acting as a positive role model and motivator.
• Supporting staff induction.
• Taking responsibility for decisions and actions.
• Supporting professional standards across teams.
• Coordinating training and development activities.
• Supporting recruitment activity.
• Supporting staff survey planning and delivery.
• Supporting appraisal processes.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory and mandatory requirements.
• Line managing administrative staff where applicable.
• Supporting staff objectives, training and development.
• Participating in recruitment and induction.
• Managing disciplinary or capability matters where required.

Essential Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate experience in the following areas:

1. IT and Microsoft Office Skills

Experience using IT systems and advanced Microsoft Office skills, including:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Teams

2. Procurement Systems

Experience using systems to order goods and services, together with an understanding of relevant policies and procedures.

3. Secretariat Experience

Experience undertaking secretariat functions, including:

• Administering meetings
• Organising events
• Providing meeting support
• Preparing relevant documentation

4. Budget and Business Management

Experience or understanding of:

• Budget management
• Business planning
• Business continuity processes

5. Report Writing

Experience preparing and writing reports for:

• Senior colleagues
• Management teams
• Formal meetings

Desirable Experience

The following experience would be advantageous:

• Experience working within a public sector organisation or large organisation.
• Experience in project management.
• Understanding of project management principles, techniques and tools.
• Experience using digital tools such as Jira.

Salary and Pension

The position offers a salary of:

£35,587–£43,244 per annum, pro rata

The UK Health Security Agency also contributes towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

The advertised information gives an employer pension contribution of approximately £10,309 based on the stated salary.

Benefits

Employees can benefit from:

• Civil Service pension.
• Employer pension contribution of 28.97%.
• Learning and development tailored to the role.
• Flexible working options.
• Inclusive working environment.
• Equality and diversity initiatives.
• Opportunities to work with colleagues across UKHSA.
• Hybrid working arrangements where business needs allow.

Location and Hybrid Working

The role is based at:

Chilton Scientific Campus
Didcot, Oxfordshire
OX11 0RQ

UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs permit.

The advert states that hybrid workers are expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their contractual working hours, approximately three days per week pro rata averaged over a month, working at one of UKHSA’s core headquarters.

Core HQ locations include:

• Birmingham
• Leeds
• Liverpool
• London

Application Process

The recruitment process includes an application and sift, longlisting, shortlisting and interview.

Application and Sift

Candidates will be assessed against the five Essential Criteria listed in the vacancy.

Applicants must complete:

• An application form.
• Employer/activity history.
• A 1,000-word Supporting Statement.

Important: The supporting statement must not exceed 1,000 words. Words above the 1,000-word limit will not be considered.

The supporting statement should demonstrate how your:

• Skills
• Experience
• Knowledge

make you suitable for the position.

The application form is intended to provide information similar to what would normally appear on a CV. A CV cannot be uploaded or emailed for this vacancy, so applicants should complete the application form in as much detail as possible.

Longlisting

If there is a high volume of applications, candidates may be placed into three groups:

1. Meets all Essential Criteria
2. Meets some Essential Criteria
3. Meets no Essential Criteria

Only applicants who meet all Essential Criteria will normally progress to shortlisting.

Shortlisting

An initial sift may focus specifically on:

Experience of undertaking secretariat functions and administering meetings and events.

Successful candidates will then progress to interview.

Interview

Successful applicants will be invited to a single remote interview.

The interview will assess:

• Knowledge
• Experience
• Skills and abilities

in relation to the five Essential Criteria.

Security Clearance

Successful candidates must undergo the required pre-employment security checks.

The role requires Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance.

Applicants should normally have been resident in the UK for the last three years to enable meaningful national security vetting.

UK residency of less than the stated period does not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining national security clearance. Applicants in this situation are advised to contact the recruitment team for further guidance.

A basic criminal record or equivalent check is also required.

International Police Check

Applicants who have spent more than six months abroad during the previous three years may be required to provide an International Police Check.

The six months does not necessarily need to have been spent abroad in one continuous period.

Eligibility and Nationality Requirements

The vacancy is open to external applicants, including applicants from outside the Civil Service, subject to the stated eligibility and nationality requirements.

The advert states that the role is broadly open to:

• UK nationals.
• Republic of Ireland nationals.
• Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK.
• Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals and qualifying family members with settled or pre-settled status.
• Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who met the relevant EUSS eligibility requirements.
• Turkish nationals and certain qualifying family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.

Applicants should carefully check the official nationality and eligibility requirements before applying.

Important Visa and Sponsorship Note

The supplied vacancy does not state that Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) or Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available.

Therefore, applicants who require new UK visa sponsorship should not assume that sponsorship is available. Check directly with UKHSA/recruitment before applying if immigration sponsorship is essential to your application.

Artificial Intelligence and Applications

UKHSA states that artificial intelligence may be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be:

• Truthful
• Factually accurate
• Based on the applicant’s own experience

Plagiarism or presenting other people’s ideas and experiences as your own may result in an application being withdrawn.

Applicants should ensure that their supporting statement accurately reflects their genuine professional experience.

Incident Response Activity

From time to time, the successful candidate may be required to support UKHSA incident response activities.

During an incident, the role holder may contribute appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell.

Where required, incident-response work will take priority over normal day-to-day duties, subject to the individual’s grade, skills and experience.

Future UKHSA Location

UKHSA is investing in a new National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex.

The new facilities are expected to become operational in phases from the mid-2030s, with full completion planned by 2038.

UKHSA states that staff currently based at affected locations will continue to receive information and support as the transition progresses.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UKHSA promotes equality of opportunity and encourages applications from people from all backgrounds, including groups currently underrepresented within its workforce.

The organisation states that it is committed to creating an inclusive culture where differences are valued and barriers to opportunity are addressed.

Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments may be available to support candidates during the recruitment process.

Applicants who require an adjustment should contact the recruitment team confidentially as soon as possible to discuss their requirements.

Key Information at a Glance

Position: Departmental Business Support Officer
Organisation: UK Health Security Agency
Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Salary: £35,587–£43,244 per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, part-time, job share and flexible working
Location: Chilton Scientific Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire
Postcode: OX11 0RQ
Working Arrangement: Hybrid
Vacancies: 1
Reference: 478550
Closing Date: 10 September 2026 at 11:55 pm
Sponsorship: Not stated in the supplied advert
Security: Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC) required

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the official application route provided by the employer.

Applicants should carefully review the full vacancy requirements and ensure their application addresses all five Essential Criteria.

Application deadline: Thursday 10 September 2026 at 11:55 pm.

Contact Information

Job Contact: Sarah Handy
Email: sarah.handy@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment Team:
recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Final Reminder for Applicants

This is a permanent UK Health Security Agency Higher Executive Officer opportunity combining business administration, corporate support, project coordination, finance, procurement, governance and executive support.

Candidates with strong administrative, organisational, Microsoft Office, meeting coordination, budget-management and report-writing experience should carefully review the Essential Criteria before applying.

Always verify the latest vacancy information on the official application page before submitting an application.