Main Purpose of the Job

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a HSEQ Systems assistant to join our busy team in a primarily administrative and coordination support role.

The HSEQ team supports the John Innes Centre, Earlham Institute, Quadram Institute, The Sainsbury Laboratory, and the Partnership teams.

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to support the implementation of the NBIP Health & Safety policy and arrangements. Key responsibilities include reviewing, updating, and migrating HSEQ and H&S Facilities-related documentation into our new H&S management system, ensuring compliance and operational alignment. The role will also support the Head of HSEQ and the wider team in delivering an outstanding service.

The post holder will contribute to the implementation of HSEQ programmes and policies across the Institutes and Partnership teams, while also helping to coordinate a joined-up approach with the Facilities team and those involved in the new research building project (part of the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI)).

The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and collaborative, with strong organisational and communication skills. While this is not a senior advisory role, the post holder will act as a positive role model, supporting a healthy and safe working environment in line with legislation, internal procedures, and best practice.

This position may be extended subject to business requirements and the satisfactory performance of the post holder.

Key Relationships

The position will report to the Head of HSEQ and be supervised on a daily basis by the HSEQ business systems coordinator. The post holder will work closely with the other HSEQ members and NBIP facilities team to contribute to the delivery of an outstanding H&S support on site.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

HSEQ Document Review & Migration:
• Support the review and transfer of risk assessments and other health and safety-related documents into the new Health & Safety Management System.
• Audit existing HSEQ/Facilities policies, procedures, and records.
• Review and update documentation in line with the approved NBIP Health & Safety Policy and arrangements.
• Oversee the structured upload, categorisation, and version control of documents within the new Environment Health and Safety (EHS) management system.

45

System Implementation Support:
• Act as a key point of contact for EHS system usage relating to document control and compliance tracking.
• Ensure workflows and version controls are correctly established and maintained.

15

Coordination:
• Liaise with HSEQ, Facilities, and other stakeholders to collect, verify, and update relevant H&S documentation.
• Provide guidance and training to colleagues on new processes and system use.

10

Compliance Monitoring:
• Identify gaps in documentation or practice in line with H&S legislation and NBIP policy.
• Support the monitoring of compliance with the NBIP Health & Safety framework across all functions.

10

Reporting & Continuous Improvement:
• Provide regular progress reports to the Head of HSEQ on implementation status.
• Contribute to the refinement and continuous improvement of health and safety arrangements.

10

Additional Responsibilities:
• Provide cover and support to HSEQ team members during absences, particularly for engineering and construction queries.
• Maintain accurate H&S records, including accident logs, training records, incident reports, and inspection checklists.
• Provide general administrative support, including monitoring email inboxes, responding to queries, assigning actions, and ensuring timely completion.
• Provide the Head of HSEQ with high-quality H&S compliance data and reports.
• Promote a culture of health, safety, and environmental stewardship throughout the organisation.

10

As agreed with the line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English and Mathematics.

Essential

Minimum Level 3 qualification in Business or Administration (e.g., NVQ Level 3 in Business Administration or equivalent experience).

Essential

A-levels or equivalent further education qualification.

Desirable

HND in Business Studies or equivalent qualification.

Desirable

A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g., Environmental Science, Facilities Management, Business Administration, or related field).

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Working knowledge of UK Health and Safety legislation and relevant compliance standards e.g. Risk assessments, Code of Practices.

Essential

Excellent document management skills including version control and audit processes.

Essential

Ability to coordinate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Essential

Strong IT skills, including experience with document management systems, databases, or other digital HSEQ tools.

Essential

Experience in a similar role.

Essential

Minimum Level 3 qualification in Occupational Health and Safety (e.g., NEBOSH National General Certificate or equivalent)

Desirable

NEBOSH Health and Safety or construction Certificate - or an equivalent qualification may be an advantage.

Desirable

Membership (or eligibility for membership) of a recognised professional body such as IOSH (TechIOSH or above).

Desirable

Formal training or certification in document control or quality management systems.

Desirable

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Supporting Health & Safety management systems, document control, or compliance monitoring in a facilities, research, or administrative environment.

Essential

Managing documentation, version control, and workflows within a structured compliance framework.

Essential

Advanced IT skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (knowledge of Power BI advantageous).

Essential

Providing training, guidance, or support to colleagues on H&S procedures or digital systems.

Desirable

Exposure to EHS or risk management systems implementation projects.

Desirable

Liaising with multiple stakeholders and departments to deliver H&S or compliance initiatives.

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Good written and verbal communication skills.

Essential

Excellent interpersonal and customer-focused skills.

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of an organisation.

Essential

Good teamworking and collaborative skills.

Essential

Proactive attitude: willingness to learn, adapt, and take on additional tasks.

Essential

Effective time management and ability to prioritise workload.

Essential

Ability to work independently.

Essential

Meticulous attention to detail.

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

Essential

Willingness to embrace expected values and behaviours of all staff, ensuring a positive workplace culture.

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Institute, supporting reputation and public engagement aims.

Essential

Able to handle sensitive and confidential information professionally. Willingness to work outside standard hours when required.

Essential

Promote continuous improvement in HSE practices and performance through regular review and updating of policies and procedures.

Essential

Full clean UK driving licence.

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

HS & QA

Group Details

The Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ) team provides comprehensive non-scientific support across the Norwich Research Park’s four research institutes; the John Innes Centre (JIC), the Earlham Institute (EI), the Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). In addition to supporting these institutes, HSEQ also delivers dedicated health and safety guidance and oversight to the Partnership teams, including the Facilities team. The team’s remit covers a wide range of areas, including ensuring regulatory compliance, promoting best practices in laboratory and workplace safety, managing environmental responsibilities, and maintaining quality assurance standards. Through its work, HSEQ plays a key role in fostering a safe, sustainable, and high-quality research and working environment across the Partnership.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

HSEQ Systems Assistant

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a HSEQ Systems Assistant to join our busy Health, Safety and Quality Assurance (HSEQ) department.

Background:
The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major 21st-century challenges – from environmental sustainability and food security to healthy ageing.

The NBI Partnership provides high-quality, non-scientific support services to the diverse community of staff, students, and visiting researchers at the Institutes (Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory, and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and the Partnership as a whole.

Based on the Norwich Research Park, set within 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional, and welcoming team. In addition, you will benefit from a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities, and a range of other employee benefits.

The HSEQ team provides comprehensive non-scientific support across the four research institutes (JIC, EI, QIB, and TSL) and the NBI Partnership, delivering dedicated health and safety guidance and oversight, including support for the Facilities team.

The role:
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to support the implementation of NBIP’s Health & Safety policy and arrangements. Key responsibilities include:
• Reviewing, updating, and migrating HSEQ and Facilities-related documentation into our new H&S management system.
• Ensuring compliance with regulatory and operational requirements.
• Supporting the Head of HSEQ and the wider team in delivering an outstanding service.
• Contributing to HSEQ programme and policy implementation across the Institutes and Partnership teams.
• Coordinating a joined-up approach with the Facilities team and stakeholders involved in the new research building project (part of the Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI)).

The ideal candidate:
The successful candidate will have:
• Experience supporting HSEQ management systems, document control, or compliance monitoring.
• Good working knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and compliance standards.
• Strong IT skills, including document management systems and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organisational skills.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively, with great attention to detail.

Additional information:
Salary: £28,890 – £35,670 per annum (depending on qualifications and experience)
Contract: Full-time, 12-month contract.

The post may be extended based on successful achievement of objectives and available funding.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and Disability Confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting, and retaining the best talent and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications is: 4th February 2026.

Please note: We reserve the right to close the advert prior to the closing date should we receive a high volume of applications. Early submission is therefore advised.