Apprentice Administrative Officer

UK HEALTH SECURITY AGENCY

Preston (PR1 8XB)

Closes in 17 days (Monday 5 January 2026)

Posted on 18 December 2025

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Summary

We are recruiting an Apprentice Health Protection Administrative Officer (AO) to work in the UKHSA North West Cumbria and Lancashire business support team. This is a diverse and interesting role, and one which requires a flexible approach as workload priorities can change.

• Wage:

  £25,651 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Benefits include 27% contributory Civil Service pension, dedicated learning relevant to your role, generous annual leave entitlement starting at 26 days per per year plus bank holidays, generous sick pay entitlement, flexible working options

• Training course: Business administrator (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm

  38 hours a week

• Start date:

  Thursday 5 March 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 6 months

• Positions available:

  1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Administrative support: 

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to teams across the Directorate, including diary management of one or more senior staff, if required
• To be responsible for dealing with telephone enquiries and other communications that may require a high degree of tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality
• Action routine correspondence, prepare acknowledgements and response letters as requested
• Collate information and data to produce reports and documents as required; some may be confidential and/or complex
• Assist with the dissemination and/or collation of information/returns for business operations in a timely manner
• Provide Incident Co-ordination administrative cover on rotation as required (if applicable)
• Improve the quality of services and contribute to the improvement of the administration service
• To be responsible for organising and controlling own workload ensuring deadlines are observed and duties performed efficiently
• Provide cover as directed by line manager for other members of the team in their absence and assist with their workloads as necessary

Financial and resource management:

Assist with the procurement of goods and services in-line with UKHSA policies and procedures, including overseeing ordering of stationery and general equipment supplies for the office; ensuring appropriate levels of stock are maintained; and arranging travel and hotel bookings

Meetings and events: 

• Arrange, attend, and provide secretariat support to teams and other internal and external meetings and/or networks as required. This will include booking venues; organising hospitality; preparing and producing paperwork, i.e., agendas, action logs, collating and distributing all necessary information and documentation electronically and taking minutes or action notes as required. Ensuring all minutes or action notes are issued in a timely manner and agreed actions are appropriately recorded
• Assist with organising external and/or internal conferences, away days and training days, including registration, and preparing resources 

Information governance and information management:

• Operate and update a range of databases and computerised case management/surveillance systems. Input data and information accurately and completely, using the correct formats consistently with legislation, policies, and procedures
• Adhere to clinical governance and security of information arrangements at all times
• Assist in the effective use and maintenance of the office environment and systems and support the introduction of, and working with, systems to manage these effectively; this will include organising and maintaining comprehensive electronic filing systems and using digital tools, for example JIRA

Communication and key working relationships:

The post holder will develop effective working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals via phone, email and face to face including, local team members and managers, clinical and non-clinical staff and scientists. The post holder may also take phone calls and/or emails from members of the public and/or stakeholders

Where you'll work

UKHSA County Hall Office
Preston
PR1 8XB

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

LIGHTHOUSE (TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT) LTD

Training course

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
• Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
• Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
• Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
• Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
• Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
• Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

Training schedule

• You will attain a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration and learn skills to demonstrate a variety of knowledge skills and behaviours
• Training will take place in the workplace and online with our provider and you will have a dedicated 20% of your paid time towards your learning

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade C (4))
• Mathematics (grade C (4))

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Administrative skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

About this employer

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for planning, preventing and responding to external health threats, and providing intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage.

http://www.ukhsa.gov.uk (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Career progression will be supported.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

LIGHTHOUSE (TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT) LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005840.

Apply now

Closes in 17 days (Monday 5 January 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.