Mammalian Virology Deputy Workgroup Leader (ID2709)
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 19th November 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Senior leadership
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
Do you wish to be part of an amazing, diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UK’s animal, plant and bee health? If so, why not join us and make a difference.
The deputy workgroup leader will lead the Designated Laboratories (DLs) and National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) within the Mammalian Virology (VI5) Workgroup within the Virology department which is a multi-disciplinary team with a statutory remit in named reportable, endemic, notifiable and exotic diseases for the delivery of research, diagnostic services and surveillance programmes. The post holder will work across other departments in the agency, especially liaising with staff to promote the strategy for the virology portfolio and to implement the 2021-26 science strategy. The post holder will provide strategic leadership, management, coordination and delivery as Head of the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for the workgroup with strategic scientific leadership and development of science, research and surveillance activities. The post holder will maintain and proactively develop relevant scientific knowledge and expertise, networks and collaborations, including multi-disciplinary approaches within and outwith the APHA to assist in the development and delivery of work and of the wider Virology Department.
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.
Job description
Main areas of work will include:
- Act as Deputy for Work group leader, managing the diagnostic and research activities across the workgroup and as a member of the Workgroup’s senior scientist team; will contribute to strategic planning.
- Contribute to Defra and APHA policies and duties regarding risks arising from notifiable and other diseases.
- Liaise with the international teams to support our compliance to trading standards and international ambition for ODA.
- Coordinate the disease outbreak preparedness and responses and liaise with other teams within Virology and across APHA and DEFRA.
- Oversee and manage the execution of delegated project objectives, milestones, work plans, progress and deadlines. Assess performance against the various delegated tasks within the workgroup and monitor progress.
- Obtain permissions for work (Home office and HSE), ensuring the work is delivered in accord with compliance with legal requirements and licenses as required.
- Represent VI5 (and the Dept as required) for the agreed consultancy/expert groups and/or coordinate VI5’s interaction with such groups.
- Identify potential funding sources and contribute to applications from concepts to full project proposals.
- Seek and develop opportunities for the initiation of (collaborative) research proposals, both nationally and internationally specifically through accessing opportunities out with UK government funding.
- Liaise with customers both inside and outside the APHA in managing and attracting commercial and collaborative projects.
- Prepare reports and progress reviews for internal and external, stakeholders, customers and collaborators.
- Remain up to date by reading relevant publications to maintain and develop breadth of knowledge.
- Assist the communication of science and science-management through participation in internal and external meetings.
- Ensure that self and staff maintain safe operation.
- Ensuring appropriate CPD for self and WG in accordance with AZVDP and APHA strategies.
- Liaise with APHA scientific and QASB, e.g. as commentator for EQA schemes.
- Develop and maintain professional affiliations and positions as relevant.
- Deliver value for money and support the WGL and WG manager to deliver to budget with due regard for planning and expenditure.
- Deputise for the WGL on Health & Safety matters e.g. at the Departmental Safety Virology Management Team (SVMT) meetings.
- Act as disease consultant (DC) or deputy DC as required.
- Be a specialist in a scientific area linking to Virology and host-pathogen interaction.
Person specification
You will need to demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge of and practical experience with Veterinary Virology
- Experience with pathogenesis and molecular characterisation of viruses
- Good written and oral communication skills (to deliver outputs such as manuscripts, presentations or applications and reports)
- Working in containment level 3 and bio-safety expertise/experience
- Experience with Good Laboratory Practice and/or Quality management systems such as ISO9001
- Experience with Health & Safety regulations/operations
- Experience in project management
Qualifications
Veterinary (or Bioscience degree); PhD in Virology or related subject, substantial post-doctoral or similar experience.
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 post holders 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.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Developing Self and Others
- Changing and Improving
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Developing Self and Others
- Changing and Improving
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Knowledge in Veterinary Virology and pathogenesis
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, 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 days per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site. 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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to
- Complete a CV-style template.
- Provide an example against each of the Behaviours 'Developing Self and Others' and 'Changing and Improving' in the Situation, Task, Action and Result (STAR) format.
- Complete a 500-word personal statement against the details in the Person Specification in the advert and the job description.
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 carried out using the lead Behaviour, Developing Self and Others. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be asked to give examples of the Behaviours listed using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) and will be assessed against the Technical and experience requirements detailed in the Job description.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
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.
Location
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).
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 for meetings, or 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 workplace will be subject to department travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibilities of the employee.
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.
Please be aware that this role will be contractually based in a Defra/APHA group workplace/office. 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.
This role is based at the APHA Weybridge site only.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. We may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged. Part-time hours will only be considered as part of a job share. Salary will be pro-rata for job share.
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.
The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Governments response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason, all post holders 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.
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 : Science Directorate HR
- Email : Science.DirectorateHR@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
