Non-Native Species Inspectorate Chief Officer ID:CR608
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 31st October 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
The Wildlife Team are a brilliant team to work with, where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We are looking for a compassionate, dedicated individual who will lead and who will strive for excellence and integrity.
Do you want a role helping to safeguard Great Britain’s biodiversity for future generations?
Do you have the ability to influence others and guide your team in a shared strategy?
Are you conscientious and an excellent Leader with strong management skills?
If the answer is ‘yes’, we would love to hear from you!
We are looking for someone to drive the delivery of our field operations as the Chief Officer of the Non-Native Species Inspectorate based at our Sand Hutton office.
Job description
The Chief Officer of the Non-native Species Inspectorate is a senior, strategic delivery role requiring a person who can successfully lead a geographically dispersed team that delivers the strategic direction of the Non-native Species Inspectorate project for Defra and the Welsh and Scottish Governments. The key roles of the Non-native Species Inspectorate are enforcing relevant legislation, educating stakeholders and the general public and preventing the establishment of invasive non-native species.
We are looking for someone with a proven leadership track record who will quickly be able to establish their credibility with staff and stakeholders. You will also have the ability to harness the team around a clear set of goals and priorities. This will include taking and building on the work that has been started in building an exceptional, helpful and sustainable culture.
You will be expected to be a role model and to embed the necessary cultural changes required for the Inspectorate and the wider agency to thrive, as APHA moves to a matrix system of management that supports increased flexibility, an agile response and digital ways of working.
Responsibilities of the role:
- In conjunction with staff in the Non-native Species Secretariat, setting targets and strategic direction of the NNSI.
- Line and functional management of two SEOs, providing support and advice where necessary.
- Close oversight of sensitive cases which may result in either legal action or the seizure of animals or plants.
- Overseeing contingency and rapid response planning and implementation of measures to remove populations of non-native species.
- Investigating escapes and deliberate releases of non-native species.
- Ensuring the collection of high-quality data in order to assess the risk posed by different pathways and to ensure proper compliance with appropriate legislation.
- Writing of reports on the work of the Non-native Species Inspectorate for submission to the Programme Board and other key stakeholders such as Welsh and Scottish Governments.
- Representing NNSI at a wide range of workshops and meetings with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
- Organising training for staff in relevant areas e.g. avoiding conflict, collection of evidence, technical training in collection of samples and identification of high-risk plants and animals.
Person specification
We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following experience and skills:
- Experience in Biological or Botanical Sciences.
- Experience of data management and/or law enforcement.
- Experience of dealing with policy customers in central government departments and/or devolved administrations.
- Have a clear understanding of the problems caused by invasive non-native species and appropriate measures to control them.
- Experience of key legislation in GB covering non-native species.
- Experience of managing a team.
Skills
- Proven ability to manage difficult situations and to act decisively if necessary.
- Proven ability to balance competing work priorities.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and written/oral communication skills.
- Candidates will need to be proficient with appropriate desk-based work using standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, MS Teams) and willing to learn new skills where appropriate.
The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required.
This post will require significant levels of travel and the work can be physically demanding. Due to access requirements to biosecure areas, you must be physically able.
Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.
A valid full driving licence is necessary or access to an alternative means of transport.
Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident.
Licences
Qualifications
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Proven ability to manage difficult situations and to act decisively if necessary.
- Proven ability to balance competing work priorities.
- Excellent inter-personal skills and written and oral communication skills.
- Proficient with appropriate desk-based work using all MS Office applications and willing to learn new skills where appropriate.
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role.
- An environment with flexible working options.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Please note the selection process details for this post:
Application
You will be asked to provide a detailed CV in the template provided, and a Personal Statement.
Your Personal Statement should be no more than 750 words, and should detail your skills, experience and your suitability for this role as per the job description.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application, you will be invited to attend an interview. The interview will be based on Experience and Technical Skills and you will be required to undertake a presentation, details of which will be sent in due course.
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.
Location
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.
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.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
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.
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 defrarecruitment.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.
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.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Medical
Nationality requirements
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 (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Rachel Embleton
- Email : rachel.embleton@apha.gov.uk
- Telephone : 02080262429
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.
