Senior Safety Assessor
Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 23rd September 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
Job description
The post holder will be responsible for the assessment of new Marketing Authorisations (MAs), Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), and extensions and variations to MAs/MRLs.
This will include the writing of comprehensive assessment reports on the pharmacology and toxicology of new active substances, as well as user risk, in line with published timelines and guidance documents.
There would be an expectation that the post holder would be able to learn to assess other data types that the safety team evaluates, in particular, consumer safety (residues depletion and MRL setting), with a view to becoming an expert assessor in all relevant areas.
Additionally, the post-holder would need to be able to produce and present relevant training materials in order to pass on their knowledge to other members of the VMD, as well as external clients.
You will also be expected :
- to travel overseas occasionally.
- to comply with ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 27001 (information security) standards, and the general data protection regulations (GDPR) and record management requirements. Training on these will be given as needed.
- act corporately – meeting, role-modelling, embedding, and championing the corporate objectives set by the VMD.
Person specification
Candidates must have the experience and qualifications set out below:
- Experience evaluating scientific data, producing comprehensive assessment reports in accordance with local style guides, working to strict timelines, and presenting scientific data and conclusions on their assessments to colleagues, committees, and/or stakeholders.
- Will have experience of using Microsoft office suite.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Data requirements and conduct of a user risk assessment for Veterinary Medicinal Products
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 average employer contribution of 27%
- Free onsite parking
- Free eyesight test
- Onsite gym
- Access to a prayer room
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 Personal Statement, and Behaviour Statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The CV will ask for your job history, qualifications and past skills and experience.
Your Personal Statement should be no more than 500 words and should demonstrate how your qualifications / knowledge / skills / experience match the requirements set out in the job advert
When giving examples of Behaviours please use the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) format. Behaviours , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift,or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours, Experience, and Technical
At Interview you will be required to complete a presentation on the data requirements and conduct of a user risk assessment for Veterinary Medicinal Products (Max 10 mins).
Sift and Interview dates
The sift will be conducted week commencing 23 September 2024
Interviews are currently scheduled to take place by MS Teams week commencing 7th October and week commencing 14th October
Please note that this timeline is indicative at this stage and could be subject to change.
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.
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based at the VMD headquarters in Addlestone, Surrey. Fixed location, but flexible working arrangements.
Working Pattern
This is a full-time post. It may be possible for individuals to fill these roles on an 80% FTE basis, but no less due to the tight time constraints of the work commitments
Passport
You must have a valid passport.
The applicant may have to travel abroad in order to provide our commitment to the delivery of international projects, therefore the successful candidate should be prepared to travel overseas if necessary.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 : Miguel Escribano
- Email : m.escribano@vmd.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.
