Salisbury
Job Summary
The Estates, Engineering and Facilities (EEF) Department is responsible for engineering, maintenance, environmental sustainability, facilities services and capital works projects to the site to maintain safe, regulatory and compliant facilities to meet current and future business objectives. The combined departmental budget is in the order of £40M PA.
The department’s function manages and controls a team of staff, both in-house and contracted staff to assure governance in the supply of engineering maintenance to fixed plant and equipment, building maintenance and engineering modifications to uphold the asset value of UKHSA’s Porton Down estate and facilities services to meet EEF’s business plan and the wider organisational needs.
The EEF Dept engages with the site’s stakeholders over current and future facilities, engineering and equipment maintenance requirements to ensure the site is safe and compliant, operational and fully available to meet business needs.
Working for your organisation
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 https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Job Description
Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, the Finance Support Officer shall work collaboratively with the EEF team to put financial tools, processes and procedures into practice, maintain internal compliance with UKHSA finance and procedures, and enforce good financial practice within the EEF team.
The Finance Support Officer shall satisfy the regulatory requirements of internal and external auditors and prepare financial management reports, monitor and process payments with supply chain, and support the EEF team with funding for operational and business-critical needs.
The Key Job Objectives Are:
- Adhere to the Engineering Policy and maintain compliance.
- Comply with UKHSA financial controls and procedures.
- Support EEF to set financial objectives and targets and to manage and control budgets.
- Manage payment to PMC and supply chain.
- Complete financial reports and contribute to UKHSA end of year accounting processes.
- Communicate proactively and professionally with customers and stakeholders at all levels.
As part of the main duties, you will be expected to:
- Lead op-ex budget preparation and work with UKHSA stakeholders to set departmental financial objectives and targets.
- Monitor op-ex budgetary expenditure and seek necessary approval from line manager.
- Provide monthly financial reconciliation reporting to EEF management team.
- Contribute to financial reconciliation and year end account management and reporting.
- Verify invoices and supporting information to facilitate approval processes.
- Facilitate work / purchase order processing and approval processing.
- Lead cap-ex budget preparation and work with UKHSA stakeholders to secure funding in response to asset life cycle replacement plan, forward maintenance plan and any other forecasted cap-ex expenditure initiatives.
- Comply with payment and other financial contractual terms and conditions between UKHSA and supply chain.
- To line manage or supervise colleagues as required.
- Comply with UKHSA financial controls and procedures.
- Comply with UKHSA financial management electronic systems.
- Participate and support internal and external financial auditing of accounts and procedures.
- Compile financial management reports as required.
- Work in collaboration with the Maintenance Manager to maintain a spare parts and stock control system, reconciling expenditure and consumption as required.
- First point of contact for UKHSA and supply chain for all financial matters within the department.
- Work with UKHSA stakeholders, and other contractors and suppliers as required to settle financial disputes.
- Contribute to financial and other meetings as required.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Professional development
You should pursue a programme of continuous professional development in accordance with any relevant professional registration or statutory requirements, whilst maintaining appropriate awareness of service provider requirements.
You will be expected to identify, discuss and action your own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisals and individual development planning.
You will also be expected to attend internal and external training events and participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.
Key working relationships
The Post Holder Will Develop Working Relationships And Communicate Regularly With a Wide Range Of Individuals, Clinical And Non-clinical, Internal And External To UKHSA. This Will Include:
Internal
- Head of Estates, Engineering and Facilities
- Head of Site Engineering and Security
- Commercial Leads and Category Managers
- Engineering Quality, Capital Works Programme Manager
- Operations Manager
- Equipment Support Manager
- Financial managers through organisation
- Capital Project Team
External
- Specialist contractors (Fire, security and BMS)
- Porton Biopharma Limited (at all levels)
- Auditors
Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, the Finance Support Officer shall work collaboratively with the EEF team to put financial tools, processes and procedures into practice, maintain internal compliance with UKHSA finance and procedures, and enforce good financial practice within the EEF team.
The Finance Support Officer shall satisfy the regulatory requirements of internal and external auditors and prepare financial management reports, monitor and process payments with supply chain, and support the EEF team with funding for operational and business-critical needs.
The Post Holder Will Develop Working Relationships And Communicate Regularly With a Wide Range Of Individuals, Clinical And Non-clinical, Internal And External To UKHSA. This Will Include:
Internal
- Head of Estates, Engineering and Facilities
- Head of Site Engineering and Security
- Commercial Leads and Category Managers
- Engineering Quality, Capital Works Programme Manager
- Operations Manager
- Equipment Support Manager
- Financial managers through organisation
- Capital Project Team
External
- Specialist contractors (Fire, security and BMS)
- Porton Biopharma Limited (at all levels)
- Auditors
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Financial experience and background in financial accounting, budget management, and financial processing.
- Experience of direct supervising or managing staff.
- Knowledge and experience in using MS Excel and financial management systems and databases.
- Excellent numerical and analytical skills.
- Interpersonal skills, able to build effective working relationships at all levels and between organisations.
- Communication skills with ability to communicate clearly in verbal and written form with direct reports, line manager and other stakeholders at all levels.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience in a highly regulated industry and conversant with financial auditing and compliance requirements, preferably in the public sector.
- Knowledge and experience in financial management reporting.
- Knowledgeable in areas of service contract negotiation, contract management, cost and price management.
- Organisational skills and ability to scan the horizon, anticipating future challenges and mitigating actions.
- Ability to solve problems and summarise financial problems, identify and recommend timely and realistic solutions to your line manager and other senior stakeholders as may be required.
Alongside your salary of £41,983, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,162 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, strengths and experience.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You Will Be Required To Complete An Application Form. You Will Be Assessed On The Listed Essential Criteria, And This Will Be In The Form Of:
- an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a 1000 word supporting statement
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
- Financial experience and background in financial accounting, budget management, and financial processing.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours, strengths and experience will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours Tested During The Interview Stage Will Be:
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working at Pace
Interviews are planned for week commencing 12th January 2026. 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 hybrid working based at any of our Scientific Campus in Porton Down. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.
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.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter Terrorism Check 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 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.
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.
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 consider 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 it could be time accrued over that period.
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
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.
Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
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
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
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 equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
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 equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : Jon Payne
- Email : jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
Further information
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: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk 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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/London/Salisbury/UK_Health_Security_Agency/Finance/Finance-v7657916?set-locale=en-gb&_ts=1
