Data Administrator (ID2973)
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 18th November 2024
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Science
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About the job
Job summary
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.
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.
This role is to provide support to a range of research and surveillance projects in the fields of national and international veterinary public health within the Department of Epidemiological Sciences at APHA Weybridge. This will include data handling, database entry and reporting, liaising with APHA colleagues and external customers, creating and reviewing documentation, and project support conforming to ISO9001:2015 quality standards.
Job description
The duties of the post include:
Responsibility for management of the process of data receipt, entry, quality control and customer liaison which may include working on multiple projects across various science portfolios e.g. Bovine Tuberculosis (TB), Salmonella, Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE), & Avian Influenza (AI).
- Managing and processing data, ensuring that these are processed within the expected timeframe and liaising with internal and external stakeholders to address any data quality issues, including data inconsistencies, errors, and missing data items
- Managing the data and administration of a Salmonella approved laboratory system, including processing approvals, entering submissions, meeting organisation, and handling queries
- Cross-checking data against submission and laboratory results databases, performing regular data validations and producing regular reports
- Maintaining a log of all data requests and their progress. Liaising with the requesters and the Privacy Impact team over compliance with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). If required assist in the completion and tracking of Data Sharing requests Encrypting and securely sending data to requesters using approved transfer methods.
- Management of multiple shared mailboxes which include the TB Wildlife Mailbox, ibTB mailbox, and Defra Approved Laboratories System mailbox - dealing with enquires, submissions, requests etc. and ensuring the correspondence is recorded as necessary, and the necessary action is taken
- Undertaking database entry across multiple systems e.g. TB and Salmonella database systems
- Completing weekly/monthly data cross-checking and reporting for multiple projects. Investigating anomalies with relevant submitters to ensure high quality data is stored in the IT systems
Additional duties may include:
- Organising meetings and minute taking, assisting with running regular database queries
- Providing ad hoc data and support to projects as required
- Testing various systems when changes are implemented
Person specification
Experience and skills:
- The post holder will be required to take ownership and responsibility for tasks given to them but ensure that managers are notified where necessary
- The ability to recognise problems and use sound judgement, evidence, and knowledge to identify possible solutions is essential
- The post holder will need to be organised and efficient with the ability to manage multiple work streams in parallel and to plan workload and working patterns to ensure deadlines and customer expectations are met. Strong time management and organisational skills are essential for this role
- The post holder will be required to regularly liaise with internal and external stakeholders, therefore confident written (email) and oral communication skills are essential for this role. The ability to create concise and clear instructions and notes is required
- The post holder will need a good understanding of how their role links with and impacts on colleagues, customers and stakeholders and have an interest in the wider context. An interest in the wider scientific interests of the workgroup is essential to be responsive to changes in work requirements
- The post holder will need to be responsive and innovative and demonstrate the ability to identify opportunities for streamlining working procedures and the ability to learn from problems and to apply this experience if similar circumstances re-occur
- There is extensive data handling, entry, and validation so evidence of a good working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Access, SPOL and Outlook is essential for this role
- Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills – including answering emails, taking phone calls and in-person meetings
- Excellent attention to detail
- Some knowledge of disease surveillance in animals and the farming industry and database design and querying would be useful
Staff maybe required to work weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings in the event of an incident or disease outbreak. In the event of this you may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment. APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements.
Periodic travel within the UK and Europe will be required to attend training courses, conferences, and scientific meetings. You must therefore have a valid driving licence or be able to call upon suitable alternate means of transport.
The post is full-time and we may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged.
The role is based at Weybridge where the team is located.
Licences
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Changing and Improving
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Experience in data handling, entry, and validation.
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 (28.97%), 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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, Personal Statement and Behaviour statements.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
As part of the assessment process, you will be asked to give examples of Behaviours using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR). You may be asked to give details in a suitability statement of how you match the skills and experience detailed. If successful for an interview you may be asked to undertake a further task assessment and details of this will be given at the time.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on behaviours, essential skills and experience, and on Technical ability.
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.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
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.
Near miss
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.
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 If location is in England will be DBS 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 Adjustments
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.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Higher Security Clearance
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. 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
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 : science.directoratehr@apha.gov.uk
- Email : science.directoratehr@apha.gov.uk
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.
