Associate Product Owner
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 16th 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.
Would you thrive in a constantly evolving environment?
Are you someone who enjoys working collaboratively with different business areas?
Do you want to apply your communication and problem-solving skills in a role that provides variety and flexibility?
If so, we would love to hear from you!
This role can be entry-level for civil servants who may be looking to progress to Product Owner or Manager. At this level, you will be learning basic product management techniques and will report to a more senior Product Owner.
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity for an Associate Product Owner to join our Borders and Trade Product Team. You will use your knowledge of user needs and business goals to frame problems and set priorities for the delivery teams.
This is an opportunity to influence APHA’s digital delivery, initially in the arena of Borders and Trade but developing skills which are transferable to any APHA digital project. APHA takes a user-centred approach ensuring the best experience for internal and external users and employing new technologies where possible to improve user experience.
The Product team works with delivery teams to:
- Make sure your service fits in with your organisation’s priorities.
- Define the future goal or product vision for the service and make sure your service will meet user needs.
- Form the vision for your product and engage your teams and stakeholders in the development of that vision over time.
- As an Associate Product Owner you will use the same skills and knowledge to manage features or components of a product
The role entails a diverse set of responsibilities and will require you to demonstrate the following capabilities:
- Understand the different phases of product delivery and contribute to, plan, or run them - including prioritising development; using research and own and other’s expertise to create user stories for digital development; prioritising user stories for each work sprint; signing off delivery of user stories.
- Build effective relationships with service delivery owners, promoting joint ways of working and shared responsibility in the development of the reimagined services, while protecting current delivery levels.
- Use quantitative and qualitative data about users to turn user needs into outcomes.
- Represent the interests and needs of all those who will use the final product or service.
- Understand users and customers, identify who they are and what their needs are and commission user research.
- Work with the project team to define the vision, design principles, project objectives, processes, procedures, and rules.
- Contribute and assist in the development of service design, undertaking key roles on product teams and working groups.
- Work with Project Managers to feed into wider project wrappers beyond product design and contribute to business readiness activities such as training, user manuals and desk instructions.
- Identify and engage with users or stakeholders to collate user- needs evidence; collaborate with User Researchers to understand and define research that fits user needs; represent users internally; understand the difference between user needs and desires of the user; champion user research to focus on all users; use quantitative and qualitative data about users to turn user focus into outcomes
- Initiate and monitor actions to investigate patterns and trends to resolve problems; co-ordinate teams to investigate problems effectively; determine the appropriate remedy and assist with its implementation; consult specialists where required; determine preventative measures.
- Effectively get buy-in from the team; develop product awareness to wider organisation
- Handle data confidently, collate information ensuring the accuracy of financial and performance data; assist product managers by collecting consumer feedback and quantitative product data.
- Ensure Project Managers are aware of product or service delivery timelines to ensure delivery plans are aligned.
- Ensure your service is accessible to everyone, including disabled people.
- Comment on and agree technical, content and design solutions.
- Keep people informed about the development of your products and promote their uptake.
- Represent users throughout the delivery process and use their feedback to inform continuous improvement.
Person specification
We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following skills and experience:
- Understand Agile working - show an awareness of Agile methodology and the ways to apply the principles in practice; take an open-minded approach to delivery methods and approaches; help teams to visualise outcomes, prioritise work and understand a minimum viable product; explain why iteration is important and iterate quickly
- Lifecycle perspective – awareness that a product has different stages within its lifecycle and understand how the needs of the team and the product vary across the stages of that product lifecycle.
- Product Ownership - show an awareness of the tools, terms and concepts used to deliver a product; able to be flexible, consider new ways of working and adapt to change.
- Working within Constraints - understand the value of policy, legislative, regulatory and operational constraints and can find the simplest, shortest and fastest solution for users.
- Operational Management – understand the need to design operational processes for the running and maintenance of a product or service; redesign or amend existing operational processes; plan and operationalise each stage of a new product or service development; ability to analyse, recommend and implement solutions within operational areas
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of design, technology and data principles and understand the range of available technology choices.
- Knowledge of the service/operational areas and respective systems and processes.
- Analytical skills and problem-solving capability.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work under time pressure, a fast-paced, evolving environment and use a flexible approach to enable rapid delivery.
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:
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.
Our Worcester County Hall office is temporarily closed. Candidates based at this location may be asked to work from home until further notice.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Managing a Quality Service
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 500-word Personal Statement and a 250-word behaviour statement for the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on your experience, behaviours and strengths.
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.
For most candidates your hours of work will be a blend of working from an APHA workplace (specific to the team location) with working at home.
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.
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/ Disclosure Scotland 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
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.
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridge may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
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
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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 Team - Kay Edwards
- 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.
