Performance and Communications Lead
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 24th September 2024
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About the job
Job summary
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, 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.
Are you able to adapt to changing demands, working flexibly and accurately?
Do you have a passion for internal communication and employee engagement?
Are you passionate about using evidence, data and research to improve reporting and delivery?
We are seeking a driven and motivated individual to join our team as a Performance and Communications Lead within the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Wales Service Delivery Directorate, and can’t wait to hear from you!
Job description
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Wales Service Delivery Directorate delivers animal health and welfare statutory requirements across Wales on behalf of Welsh Ministers, working closely with Welsh Government Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer (OCVO) policy teams.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Performance
- Analyse and interrogate Monthly Balance Score Card (BSC), Quarterly BSC, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Review Wales Field Delivery (WFD) profiles working in collaboration with Central Performance Team and Delivery Group (DG) leads to ensure profiling remains accurate.
- Implement, monitor and review improvement plans to address Red or Amber scores within Wales.
- Identify ways of working with APHA’s Central Service Centres (CSC’s) to ensure accurate capture of Management Information (MI) data relating to WFD performance.
- Providing local leadership and acting as our focal point for outbreak management information (MI) through interrogation of National Disease Control Centre (NDCC) MI reports and auditing National Disease Outbreak Management System (NDOMs), working in partnership with Forward Operating Base (FOB) Data Entry, Records Management and NDCC MI teams.
- Working closely with team leaders and DG leads to embed proactive performance reporting; identifying risks, impacts to delivery timely.
- Identify areas within the local reporting processes which require continuous improvement working with central performance team to improve accuracy and utilisation of data.
Communications
- Support on the strategy, coordination and evaluation of stakeholder engagement across Wales.
- Support WFD managers and senior leaders on employee engagement, assisting with analysis of Civil Service People Survey engagement results and providing guidance and initiatives for the future.
- Work with colleagues across the business to develop content that engage and inform a target audience. This includes collaborative working with DEFRA, Welsh Government and APHA Communications, Central Disease Control Centre (CDCC) and local teams across Wales and GB.
Person specification
The following criteria is essential for the role:
- Passionate about using evidence, data and research to improve reporting and delivery.
- Ability to deliver at pace, managing competing priorities and changing deadlines.
- Experience within an internal communication/communications function, using a range of digital tools and communication channels to engage and inform employees
- Familiar with best practice standards for writing clear and accessible content.
Learning and Development
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.
In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA.
Workplace arrangements
This role is based in Wales and the successful applicant will be required to work from the locations advertised.
Travel will be required to attend training courses, workshops and meetings within GB to meet business requirements.
Languages
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- As part of the interview process, you will be requested to deliver a brief presentation based on a scenario related to the communication of key messages. Complete details will be provided to you prior to the interview.
Benefits
Further benefits offered also include:
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
- An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
- Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
- Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
- Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.
These are just a few of our benefits we offer. To find out the full range of what we offer refer to the Information Pack attached for more detail.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, and a 500-word personal statement.
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 personal statement only. 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 your experience, behaviours, and technical skills.
A presentation will be required to assess your technical skills.
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.
For the purposes of the selection process, the Lead Behaviour will be 'Communicating and Influencing'.
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.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
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 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.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe 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.
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 : Recruitment Hub - Becky Rushton
- Email : recruitment.sdd@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.
