Lead Animal Scientist SR20/342 ID951
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 15th July 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Can you help us protect the biosecurity of Great Britain, safeguarding animal health for the benefit of people, the environment, and the economy?
Are you someone who can lead and manage successfully in a challenging and dynamic environment? Are you highly organised with excellent communication skills?
If so, we would love to hear from you!
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.
You will join the Animal Sciences team as part of a team of specialist veterinary surgeons, bioveterinary scientists and animal technicians in the Department of Pathology and Animal Sciences. You will provide specialist expertise, leadership and management to APHA’s Animal Science Technical team. You will lead biocontainment and livestock management and the advancement of Animal Sciences, ensuring compliance with APHA’s Animal Welfare and Biosecurity Standards, developing and driving APHA Animal Science capability, and providing specialist support to the APHA Weybridge Masterplan development (animal facility requirements).
The Weybridge site is undergoing a major structural transformation with new high tech animal facilities being constructed to support ongoing and new projects in the years to come.
This is a great opportunity to further your career if you have a keen interest in animal science. We have a variety of training opportunities available to support your career at APHA. We are after individuals with a passion for working with animals and promoting their welfare.
Animal Science Specialism: to oversee a range of livestock and disease biocontainment facilities and develop specialist containment expertise for farmed livestock and animal models up to ACDP 3 and SAPO 4.
Livestock Facilities Management: Liaison with Estates, Facilities management and sub-contractors as required to ensure animal facilities are maintained as fit for purpose and future-proofed.
Staff Management, Resource and Succession planning: to work closely with the Workgroup Leader to be proactive in succession planning and remain involved in planning of future workloads and staff capability.
Corporate activities: budget planning and resource management.
Job description
- Animal Science Specialism:
The jobholder will be specialist with regards to the species in their area. They will advise on and oversee housing and husbandry. They will liaise with the Named Information Officer if new species or housing changes are being discussed. They will actively advance animal sciences and are expected to further science capability within the department.
They will acquire an E2PPL certificate and may be required to hold their own Project Licence. They will be a Personal Licence holder and develop a wide range of skills in regulated procedures including animal euthanasia and assist with necropsy and sampling procedures as appropriate.
They will oversee a range of livestock and disease biocontainment facilities and will develop specialist containment expertise for farmed livestock and animal models up to ACDP 3 and SAPO 4 classification – working on a wide range of zoonotic pathogens.
Daily Husbandry and care of animals and poultry as required.
- BioEthics, Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB):
The jobholder is expected to be an active member of the AWERB, participating in committee meetings as well as having input into project licence applications, study reviews and offer advice on the 3Rs.
- Livestock Facilities Management
Ensure compliance with ACDP/SAPO legislation. Attend Biological Safety Committee as Animal Sciences representative. Liaison with Estates, Facilities management and sub-contractors as required to ensure animal facilities are maintained as fit for purpose and future-proofed. Stakeholder oversight and input in the design and planning of animal facility refurbishments, new builds and equipment installation/maintenance. They will offer advice and support to the site re-development (Science capability for Animal Health) project as required. Fulfilling Building/Facility Officer duties in a high disease biocontainment (up to and included ACDP3/SAPO4) facility including liaising with the maintenance providers to ensure the appropriate monitoring and maintenance of plant including generators, water testing, alarm systems, Building Management Systems and biocontainment controls.
- Safety, Health and Wellbeing:
They will ensure that adequate training and planning for response to emergency scenarios is in place within teams; actively participate in safety inspections and audits with Department Safety Officer, and ensure timely closure of safety audit actions. Ensure that appropriate documentation [e.g. Risk assessments, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and log books] are in place. Work closely with the Department Safety Officer (DSO), the SHaW (Safety, Health and Wellbeing) department, in respect of these duties. Carry out ad-hoc monitoring and regularly visit the animal facilities to monitor adherence to procedures. This might include non-compliance with APHA H&S Policy, SOPs and Risk Assessments.
- Study and Contract leadership and Management:
The jobholder will work closely with animal tech team supervisors and scientists in the planning and conduct of studies being carried out in their area assuring compliance, staffing and timely execution. They will interact with scientists and be proactive in raising any concerns. They will participate in pre-start meetings and ensure the appropriate meeting forms are completed and submitted.
The jobholder will be required to oversee the implementation of commercial contracts that involve the facilities under their management, acting as the named manager and liaising with APHA Commercial Unit Business Development Manager. They will take part in meetings with the suppliers and liaise with the APHA contract team on compliance concerns and other issues.
- Communication:
The jobholder will be required to have excellent communication skills liaising with a diverse range of people in writing, verbally and using a range of IT platforms.
Confidently deliver training, instruction, Toolbox Talks, and Team Briefings, actively contribute to ASU Management meetings and chair meetings as required. They will be part of study pre-start meetings.
They will write and participate in peer reviews of SOPs, Risk Assessments, Toolbox Talks, and documentation supporting Animal Science activities i.e. papers and summary reports.
- Budget and Financial planning:
The jobholder will have an overview of the allocated budget and manage resources carefully. They will be involved in planning of new work and liaise with the Department administration team to identify such work and to inform workforce planning. They will be responsible for reviewing and approving requisitions for ASU and Foreign Payments on APHA’s Single Operating Platform.
- Staff Management, Resource and Succession planning:
The jobholder needs to be an experienced staff manager with sound interpersonal skills. They will work closely with the Workgroup Leader to be proactive in succession planning and remain involved in planning of future workloads and staff capability. They will work with junior animal technicians and advise them in scientific data collection and analysis. Participation in staff utilisation meetings to ensure efficient use of resources, succession planning and developing skills, specialism and flexibility across teams.
Person specification
Experience and skills:
You will need to demonstrate the following:
Experience:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills – written and oral, teamwork
- Experience in working with a range of animals
- Previous experience with experimental models or pathogens at different containment levels
Technical:
Deep understanding of ASPA and the Code of Practise for the housing and care of animals bred, supplied, or used for scientific purposes. Along with experience of AWERB attendance and contributions.
Qualifications:
Animal Science degree
Membership:
The applicant must register and be an active member of AWERB.
Licences:
A valid full driving licence is necessary. Periodic travel within the UK may be required to attend training courses and this could include farm or abattoir visits as part of ongoing research.
Security clearance
The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.
Licences
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Deep understanding of ASPA and the Code of Practise for the housing and care of animals bred, supplied, or used for scientific purposes. Along with experience of AWERB attendance and contributions.
Benefits
Benefits
In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support as 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 (27%), 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. You will have access to an Employee Assistance Programme 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.
Ways of Working
This post is based at our Headquarters at APHA Weybridge. Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or call upon in an event of an outbreak. Weekend and bank holiday working is required on a rota basis which will be paid as overtime. The postholder will be required to work on a rota system for ASU On Call Officer (usually 1 in 10 or less).The post is full-time with working hours of 37 per week (excluding lunch break).
Periodic travel within the UK may be required to attend training courses and this could include farm or abattoir visits as part of ongoing research.
Health and Safety
The post will require Health clearance.
The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols, which may require vaccination. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. They must wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required.
Due to access requirements to biosecure areas, individuals must be physically able. The work of the post is physically demanding.
Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with small animals, mainly rodents and rabbits, will apply. The successful candidate should not keep pigs or poultry or live on premises where there are domestic livestock or poultry.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete CV style template and a 500-word personal statement against the details in the Person Specification in the advert and job description. In addition, you will be asked to give an example for each of the three Behaviours on your application.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Interview
If selected for interview, a non-anonymized CV will be requested, along with a list of scientific publications. If called for an interview you will be assessed against the behaviours, essential skills/experience and Technical Skills. You may be asked for additional assessment/s such as a presentation, if so details will be given to you at the time.
Behaviours |
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Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of each of the criteria in your application form and at the interview.
Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.
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.
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 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.
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.
Full Time Only
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
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 : Krisztina Budai
- Email : Krisztina.Budai@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.
