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Contents
- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know
- Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
Do you want to be part of a team protecting Great Britain from exotic and notifiable diseases? Are you interested in research on these diseases, particularly animal research, and want to have a say on the ethical approval of such studies, taking into account the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement)? Do you want to interact with different departments and disciplines to promote animal science within APHA? If so, why not join us and make a difference to control and eradicate disease in animals with animal welfare at heart.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.
APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.
The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.
As chair of APHA’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) you ensure that the ethical review process is followed as outlined under the Animal (Scientific) Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), approve animal studies that fall under the Act and function as deputy for the Establishment Licence holder. As Named Information Officer you will contribute to the development of new procedural techniques or skills in unfamiliar species and play an active role in implementing animal welfare and the 3Rs. As Discipline Lead you are responsible for building capability, expertise, and networks in animal science to support APHA’s science strategy. You are also responsible for developing a strategic plan for the discipline including recommendations on succession, resource allocation and facility issues.
Job description
The postholder will be required to have excellent communication skills to act as chair and discipline lead, liaising with a diverse range of people, using all modern communication tools, in writing and verbally. They will use electronic communication tools, including online diaries, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint and Word. They will liaise frequently with others, both internally and external to APHA, and contribute to building a strong team.
Responsibilities will include:
- Ensuring that APHA maintains its Culture of Care, by complying with all the animal welfare, 3Rs, legal, and ethical requirements for the use of animals under ASPA
As AWERB Chair
- To ensure the AWERB meets its Terms of Reference and is an exemplar in the field following LASA/RSPCA guidance (also includes being joint AWERB hub chair with the Pirbright Institute)
- Promote 3R initiatives and support APHA’s Species Welfare and Advice Groups
- To advise and ethically review research work involving animals undertaken outside of ASPA, involving Dual use pathogens in animals and research work involving samples from humans by APHA staff
- Ensure the requirements of APHA being a signatory to Understanding Animal Research’s Openness Concordat are met
As Deputy for Establishment Licence Holder
- Deputising for the Establishment Licence holder as Named Person Responsible for Compliance to ensure that the requirements of ASPA and the conditions of the establishment licence are complied with, including Animal in Science Regulation Unit audit actions
- Liaising with and ensuring performance of the following named persons: Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) team who advise on the health, welfare and treatment of the animals, Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) team who oversee the welfare and care of the animals; Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO) who ensures that those dealing with animals are adequately educated, trained and supervised until they are competent and that they continue to undertake appropriate further training
- Work with APHA and Defra Group Property colleagues to ensure new animals buildings and refurbishments meet ASPA code of practice and liaise with the Animals in Science Regulation Unit to add them to the establishment licence
- Overseeing project licence applications to ensure continuity of APHA research involving animals
- To address Freedom of Information Act questions relating to ASPA
- Information Asset owner of ASPA licence material and line management of the Home Office Liaison Contact (HOLC) team and AWERB secretariat
As Named Information Officer
- Provide guidance on ASPA, search for and disseminate up to date information on 3Rs and other relevant developments, particularly to AWERB and project licensees and applicants
- Ensure that up-to-date information relevant to the needs of those dealing with animals is readily available, including procedures on novel species used at APHA
- Maintain contacts outside APHA such as Laboratory Animal Science Association, Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association, National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research and Replacing Animal Research for information sharing
As Discipline Lead you manage the development of Animal Sciences within the Agency by:
- Assessing the capability levels of Animal Sciences across the Agency
- Working with Lead Scientists and resource managers to ensure that there is sufficient consideration, expertise, and application of Animal Sciences to deliver the best scientific evidence to a specific scientific problem
- Working with Lead Scientists and resource managers to ensure that there is regular development of expertise within Animal Sciences
- Identifying external centres of excellence where strategic partnerships would strengthen capabilities available to the Agency in their discipline
- Arranging seminars and presentations of key developments in their area of expertise to selected audiences
- Developing a capability plan to advance Animal Sciences, which will identify what capabilities APHA will need to deliver our science and services in the future
- Acting as the focal point for a community of scientists, to coach and encourage best practice and to challenge others to ensure that sound scientific approaches are utilised, wherever the discipline is used across the Agency
- Provide specific metrics for the quarterly scorecard on Animal Sciences and present an annual review to other stakeholders to summarise activities, achievements and areas of improvement
Person specification
Experience and skills
You will need to demonstrate the following:
- Full Driving Licence
- Good Written and Spoken English
- Animal Science, Bioscience or Veterinary degree
- Experience in the use of animals in research, ideally in large and small animals
- Familiarity with the requirements of ASPA as a personal or project licence holder or named person
- Post graduate qualification in a science discipline or equivalent experience in scientific research, data acquisition and analysis supported by co-authorship of scientific publication or participation and leadership of scientific projects
- High standards of work, strong work ethics
- Open-mindedness, relationship-building, time management and facilitation skills (soft skills)
Security clearance
The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.
Licences
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training as inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a generous employer contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time –if accumulated), three paid volunteering day per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site. Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.
Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.
Ways of Working
This post requires you to be based at APHA Weybridge and attend site five days per week. To ensure continuity there will be a mentoring/ handover period from the current job holder.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment
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.
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV in the provided template and give a 500-word personal statement describing how you match the skills and experience detailed and two behaviour statements using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR).
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Leadership. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours and Experience.
If successful for an interview you may be asked to give a presentation and details of this will be given at the time.
Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Further information
The post will also require Health clearance.
You will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required.
Due to access requirements to biosecure areas, individuals must be physically able.
Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance.
Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with animals, including livestock, poultry, rodents and rabbits, will/may apply.
A valid full driving licence is necessary. Periodic travel within the UK may be required to attend training courses and this could include farm or abattoir visits as part of ongoing research or other postmortem facilities. You may have to ensure that no contact is made with farmed animals for a period of 1-2 days or more before visiting these premises and may therefore preclude anyone who lives on a livestock farm.
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
The role is based at Weybridge where the team is located and due to the nature of the role and duties required. Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or call upon in an event of an outbreak.
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).
Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Full Time Only
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
We may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. Part-time hours will only be considered as part of a job share.
Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or call upon in an event of an outbreak.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Higher Security Clearance
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter .
Medical
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
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles .
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jade Gandhi
- Email : jade.gandhi@apha.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here