APHA Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Veterinarian (CR 817)
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 8th December 2024
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About the job
Job summary
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.
More than ever before the health of our environment, plants, animals and bees matters. Do you wish to be part of are part of an amazing, diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UK’s animal, health? You will be helping to make a difference to the UK and contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate disease in animals and protecting global biodiversity.
APHA Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Veterinarian. The post is full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged.
Job description
The jobholder will be a veterinarian who will provide AMR consultancy and deputise for the Head of the National and WOAH International Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance.
The post holder will support management of the AMR portfolio of surveillance and research projects and the production of AMR surveillance and research outputs and will be involved in detecting AMR incidents of concern and arranging for their investigation.
The post-holder will develop consultancy skills as an expert in this field (for example, to Defra, VMD, FSA, BSAC, UKHSA, One Health team, industry, private laboratories).
The jobholder will also build on and develop their expertise to advise on the strategic direction and delivery of surveillance and research activities related to AMR.
Person specification
- Develop expertise to provide consultancy for all AMR activities across the Bacteriology Department (as well as the wider agency), bringing the AMR team together, supporting strategic developments, and seeking/supporting relevant new funding opportunities.
- Develop expertise to provide consultancy to Defra/VMD and other external bodies (notably WOAH, FAO, FSA/ACMSF, BSAC, EFSA, EMA) on AMR. Responsibilities include provision of consultancy, outbreak investigations, advice and expertise to policy makers, risk managers, public health authorities, local authorities, veterinary surgeons and the farming industry on the occurrence, control, microbiology and epidemiology of AMR and relevant bacterial zoonotic diseases, as directed by APHA, VMD and Defra.
- Provide day to day management support to the UK National Reference Laboratory for AMR in the Veterinary Sector.
- Support APHA’s WOAH Reference Laboratory status in AMR, contribute to the annual report and other support to WOAH in this area.
- Deliver and manage surveillance and research projects within a core AMR project on time and within budget.
- Actively contribute to farm visits as part of outbreak investigation or research projects.
- Ensure that APHA AMR science is delivered to appropriate quality standards and uses relevant and optimal scientific approaches. Support in review of project proposals before submission and assist in their development.
- Provide advice and AMR surveillance summaries to the Defra Antimicrobial Resistance Co-ordination Group.
- Produce national AMR summary data for publication/provide annual susceptibility reports on veterinary bacteria to Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
- Horizon scan to identify and investigate AMR hazards detected through research and surveillance and suggest possible control options to policy lead organisations.
- Contribute to the Salmonella Steering Group and provide antimicrobial resistance expertise for the annual Salmonella report “Salmonella in Livestock”.
- Review the AMR test portfolio and proficiency tests for APHA purposes and rectify omissions.
- Support in review and update of the VISI and VISION AMR surveillance documents for VIOs/APHA Regional Laboratories.
- Disseminate research results through scientific publications, reports, and presentations both nationally and internationally.
- Formulate new research project proposals, according to developing expertise and experience, and policy needs.
- Support the Regional Laboratories in their susceptibility testing and provide consultancy to ensure that testing is appropriate and relevant to practising veterinary surgeons.
- Build towards contributing to strategic direction in the AMR area. Deputise in portfolio strategy group meetings as required. Contribute to horizon scanning, discussions, planning, outputs and other strategic activities to ensure APHA preparedness to respond to AMR emergencies.
- Demonstrable knowledge of AMR, particularly in relation to bacterial diseases of animals and bacterial zoonoses (occurrence, current/emerging issues, prescribing practice etc.).
- Demonstrable knowledge of phenotypic and genotypic methods of detection of AMR.
- Knowledge of farming and food production.
- Experience in scientific research related to AMR and/or in field based epidemiological investigations.
- Working knowledge of ISO9001 and understanding of IS17025 principles.
- Good written and spoken English and full clean driving licence.
Qualifications
Memberships
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Seeing the Big Picture
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Give a clear presentation
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 (28.97%), 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. 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, personal statement & a statement on the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture.
Candidates are to give details within their personal statement, in no more than 500 words, of how they are suitable for the post by demonstrating the skills and experience they have from the information listed in 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 conducted using the lead behaviour. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on behaviours and experience.
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.
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.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service 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 maybe 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.
Loan and Fixed Term Appointments
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
This is a Fixed-term Appointment as an AMR Vet in Bacteriology department. Your responsibilities will include AMR consultancy and deputise for the Head of the National and WOAH International Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance. This post will therefore end on 31 December 2026.
The post is not permanent. It is time limited due to a fixed funding period or as part of a specific project. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires.
Working Pattern
This post is full-time, but we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged.
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.
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 3 years continuous UK residency. If you cannot meet this criteria CTC clearance will not be possible as this is part of pre-employment checks before taking up the post.
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 : Francesca Martelli
- Email : Francesca.Martelli@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.
