Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Operational Delivery
Science
Veterinary Services
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know
- Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
The Science, Technology, Research and Analysis (STAR) Group sits at the heart of the Home Office. The group ensures the best evidence and analysis are used to address the strategic issues facing the department. We also provide the science, technology, data, and international insights and collaboration capabilities to drive delivery.
The Regulatory Delivery Leads (Head of Licencing and Head of Compliance) play a critical role in the management of the Animals in Science Regulator’s delivery. This comprises of the assessment and issuing of licences and assuring compliance of licence holders through audits and enforcement action. Role holders will also play a key role in the Animals in Science Regulation Unit’s (ASRU) programme of reform, helping drive the transformation of regulatory delivery in line with the Regulator’s vision and strategic priorities.
These roles present an excellent opportunity to demonstrate leadership of large teams to achieve operational excellence. You will play a fundamental role in protecting animals through overseeing and shaping the Regulator’s core functions. Through continuous improvement and streamlining processes, you will deliver a quality service for the science sector, facilitating progress on key scientific developments.
ASRU is responsible for regulating the use of animals in scientific testing. ASRU seeks to protect animals in science through assuring that animals are only used in scientific research and testing where there are no alternatives and reducing harm to animals where they are used. The Regulator also strives to deliver an excellent service to the science sector to facilitate progress on critical scientific research. For example, animal testing played a crucial part in the development of Covid-19 vaccines.
Job description
You will be joining ASRU at an exciting time. We are currently progressing a programme of reform to enhance ASRU’s delivery for the regulated community, animals, and the public. You will be part of ASRU’s journey of change and will support the Unit to adopt its aspirational cultural traits. Two posts are being advertised. One post holder will hold responsibility for licencing and the other for compliance assurance. The roles focus on building and leading teams of veterinary or medically qualified inspectors to deliver robust, high-quality regulation which meets operational targets.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead one of ASRU’s regulatory delivery functions – licencing or compliance assurance – providing direction, oversight and continuous improvement of operational activity to deliver a high-quality, efficient, and effective service.
- For licencing, this will include overseeing the assessment of licence applications to test on animals for scientific purposes, regulatory advice to licensed establishments, and continuous development of ASRU’s e-licensing system.
- For compliance assurance, this will include overseeing the delivery and improvement of a programme of audits for scientific establishments, as well as oversight of responses to non-compliances with the law such as enforcement actions.
- Ensure your team’s work meets business needs and key performance targets relating to quality and timeliness. Report on performance and use evidence to improve team performance.
- Monitor and manage risks to delivery, taking accountability for identifying and delivering solutions.
- Ensure effective, transparent processes are in place for managing work across your team which create clear accountabilities and uphold the standards of ASRU’s Quality Management System.
- Manage, motivate, and develop of a dynamic team of approximately 10-15 employees, comprised primarily of specialist veterinary inspectors. Build team culture and uphold Home Office and ASRU values.
- Align your team’s work with best practice regulation standards such as consistency and proportionality.
- Play an active role in the Senior Leadership Team and champion and support delivery of reforms in ASRU.
- Collaborate with Animals in Science Policy to help shape and inform regulation policy and ensure any policy changes are adapted into operational practice where required.
Working Pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis. However, job-share and compressed hours are available.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- One or more of the following forms of sector-specific knowledge/experience: veterinary or medical qualification, experience with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, regulation in a relevant sector such as the life sciences or health care.
- Experience of leading and motivating teams to deliver operational objectives and meet performance targets, particularly during periods of organisational change.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams, promoting a positive team culture, and effectively addressing performance issues where required.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and undertake effective workforce and resource planning in a dynamic operational environment.
- Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex or technical information in an accessible and engaging manner to a range of audiences.
- Sound judgement and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess and analyse complex information, identify risks and opportunities, and apply innovative and evidence-based thinking to drive continuous improvement.
- Ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, influence at all levels, and constructively challenge to uphold the Unit’s standards and reputation.
- Ability to align team activities with wider organisational and government objectives, ensuring delivery contributes to strategic priorities.
- A meticulous approach to work, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with relevant standards and policies.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience working in regulatory policy or delivery, or a compliance, audit, or licencing function.
- Experience of overseeing the accurate recording and reporting of data.
- Knowledge and application of Lean Management methodology/practices.
- For the licencing post, knowledge of ASRU’s e-licencing system.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
- 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
- Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
- Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office.
See more of our benefits on our careers website.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
- Application – by Monday 23rd June 2025.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
- CV
- Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words)
Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
2. Sift – week commencing Monday 30th June 2025.
The sift will be held on the Personal Statement and CV.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of the CV.
3. Interview – week commencing Monday 14th July 2025.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviour based questions (as listed in the job advert) and Strength based questions.
In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation that will be delivered at interview. The presentation question/scenario will be disclosed closer to the interviews.
The interview will take place on MS Teams.
Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to:
- A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
- Good internet connection
- Microsoft Teams
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact [email protected], including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Location Preferences
You will only be able to select a single location preference so please ensure this is a location that you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at your preferred location and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is not guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Candidates judged to be a near miss at interview may be offered a post at the grade below the one advertised without the need to go through a further selection process, providing the role has the same Success Profiles elements and essential skills. There is no guarantee that further such vacancies will arise.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Further information
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 [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is 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 [email protected] 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
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter .
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 : Home Office Resourcing Centre
- Email : [email protected]
Recruitment team
- Email : [email protected]
