Higher Scientific Officer in the Supply Team
Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 24th July 2024
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About the job
Job summary
This exciting and interesting job puts you at the heart of the VMD’s work in facilitating the availability of medicines to veterinary surgeons and in part delivery of the VMD's transparency agenda. You will be part of a team with diverse activities in a target driven environment where quality of service is essential. You will liaise with other scientific disciplines in the VMD and a range of stakeholders, including, but not exclusively, the veterinary pharmaceutical industry, Wholesale Dealers, and veterinary professionals.
The Supply Team is part of the wider Regulatory Affairs Team and you will also liaise closely with our Application Management Team to ensure targets as specified in our Published Standards continue to be met.
Job description
The post-holder will be part of the VMD’s Supply Team within the VMD’s Regulatory Affairs Section in the Authorisation Division. The Authorisations Division is responsible for authorising veterinary medicines, including the assessment of data on the quality, safety and efficacy of such medicines.
This role requires an individual with the ability to problem solve, to prioritise and organise themselves and to support their team. It is an ever changing environment and it is essential that the job holder can think on their feet and rise to challenges quickly and effectively.
The post-holder’s main duties will be:
- Draft a scientific summary of the assessment report for each new Marketing Authorisation, for publication on the GOV.UK website in line with VMD’s Quality Standards and Standard Operating Procedures
- Assess Marketing Authorisation variation applications, to include applications to harmonise product information between Ireland and assessment of accompanying product literature (i.e. mock-ups)
- Assess applications from UK veterinary surgeons and wholesale dealers to import unauthorised medicines into the UK for veterinary use
- Assess notifications of product defects to determine potential impact on UK veterinary medicine availability
- Develop, monitor, and troubleshoot process development and improvement projects within the VMD
- Manage your own performance and worklist to maintain targets as set out in our Published Standards
- Contribute to and lead discussions in meetings
- Contribute to the maintenance of the VMD’s Quality Management System in relation to the standards and timescales set; identifying and implementing improvement opportunities
- Comply with ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 27001 (information security) standards, and GDPR and record management requirements.
- 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:
We prefer applicants to have a scientific degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. Biology, Pharmaceutical Science) or equivalent scientific experience.
You must be able to:
• Summarise complex scientific issues for a lay readership
• Pay attention to detail
• Produce material that is scientifically accurate
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
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. 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 Strengths.
Sift and Interview dates
The sift will be conducted week commencing 29 July 2024
Interviews are currently scheduled to take place by MS Teams week commencing 12 August 2024
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
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based at the VMD headquarters in Addlestone, Surrey. Fixed location, but flexible working arrangements.
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.
Office attendance
As part of the pre-employment process, 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)
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.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Full Time Only
This a frontline role that provides business critical oversight of key tasks required for the assessment and authorisation of veterinary medicine products. These tasks are completed to strict targets that require full-time oversight to ensure published standards can be met.
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
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.
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.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
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.
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 : Stacey Brown
- Email : s.brown@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.
