JOB SUMMARY

We are currently looking for four Application Handlers to join our Clinical Investigations and Trials function within the Science, Research & Innovation group.
This is a full-time opportunity, one on a permanent basis, and three on a fixed-term basis for one year. The highest scoring candidate from the interviews will be offered the permanent position. The roles will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that these roles can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.
We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Process Clinical Trial and Clinical Investigation applications via appropriate case management systems and ensure allocation to appropriate assessors and reviewers.
• Assists the Business Manager with workload management for the team. Has responsibility for monitoring assessment activities against targets within the Assessment team to identify peaks and troughs of workload on an individual and team basis.
• Assists in generating monthly and ad hoc metrics and reports for Unit and Group reports as well as longer term reports on Unit performance. Generates metrics and reports as requested to respond to enquiries or questions, for example queries from ministers and FOI requests.
• Assists with IT development projects and piloting new processes related to Clinical Trials and Clinical Investigations, as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Our successful candidate will have:

• A degree in Life Sciences or other relevant degree, or appropriate work experience in the pharmaceutical, medical sector and/or regulatory sectors
• Proven experience of working in and managing a busy team demonstrating effective management, organisation and delegation skills
• Excellent verbal, written and presentational communication skills
• ability to work in a pressurised, target driven environment, whilst maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy
• Excellent IT skills with proven ability to use and analyse data.

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk

SELECTION PROCESS DETAILS

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of ‘Managing a Quality Service - Demonstrate strong planning and organisational skills with proven ability to effectively manage changing priorities’.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

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)
• 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

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

This is a support role that specialises in the handling of applications to the Unit for Clinical Investigations and Trials. Reporting to the Business Manager, the Application Handler acts as the dedicated point of contact for all technical and complex procedural queries referred from the other units and Groups across the Agency. The role is also responsible for overseeing allocation of applications and assisting with workload management, specifically with the monitoring of assessment targets and work queue management in the case management systems and maintaining good working relations with other Agency application processing staff.