About the job

Job summary

Deputy Project Leader of one of Defra’s top priority Research and Development projects “Programme of work leading to licencing of a deployable CattleBCG vaccine and associated DIVA-skin test reagent (DST-F)”.   

This post is full-time, but we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. The post will ideally be based at APHA Weybridge although an alternative laboratory location may be considered if compatible with business needs.

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 at 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 CTC residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least 3 years continuous UK residency.

Job description

The Deputy Project Leader (DPL) role is a full-time role to facilitate and support the Project Lead (PL) in the coordination, oversight and delivery of one of Defra’s top priority Research and Development projects “Programme of work leading to licencing of a deployable CattleBCG vaccine and associated DIVA-skin test reagent (DST-F)”. The programme is working towards marketing authorisation of Cattle BCG and associated DIVA Skin Test by 2027.

The DPL will work closely with the PL in the following areas:

Assist in Project Management of one of Defra’s top priority Research and Development projects “Programme of work leading to licencing of a deployable CattleBCG vaccine and associated DIVA-skin test reagent (DST-F)”.

The DPL will assist the PL including in:

• Project management and primary interface with a Contracts Research Organisation (CRO)
• Co-ordination of contracts with multiple manufacturers for provision of Cattle BCG, the DST reagent, and other commercial providers
• Working with the Defra contracts management team and APHA Contract Management Team to issue open tenders for commercial services
• The trial must conform to Good Clinical Practice (veterinary) standard which needs to be coordinated with internal and external auditors and stakeholders

Sub-Programme Coordination of a portfolio of studies and requirements leading to the marketing authorisation for Cattle BCG and DST. A range of scientific studies (DST sensitivity and Cattle BCG reversion to virulence) need to be completed and other key dependencies addressed leading to the marketing authorisation of Cattle BCG and DST by 2027. Excellent communication skills with diplomacy will be required between stakeholders who will include APHA scientists, policy customers and sub-contractors.

Decision making. Working with the PL the DPL will facilitate and co-ordinate decision making within the Vaccine Programme Senior team, welcoming challenge and agreeing decisions by consensus with relevant stakeholders including the TB lead scientist. Although the clinical trials are coming to an end, there are likely to be further critical decision points on the journey to the marketing authorisation for Cattle BCG and DST.

Communication of the field trial to Defra and the wider public when required. The DPL will be a central member of the team and work closely with the PL on all aspects of the work. This will include chairing meetings with Defra, contractors (e.g. BCG, DST and field trial CRO) as well as promoting and highlighting the field trial and science around cattle vaccination to both internal and external stakeholders.  Progress of the field trial and sub-programme will need to be presented to Defra and their advisory panels, which includes leading experts in the field, on a regular basis. The DPL will be expected to support this requirement in the absence of the PL.

Specifically, the post-holder will be expected to:

• Build experience to act as a fully empowered Deputy in the absence of the PL able to lead meetings and discussions and take decisions/feedback based on sound judgement
• Quickly establish a holistic oversight of the work to ensure they can effectively link multi-disciplinary aspects of the project. They must establish working relationships with a wide variety of colleagues and stakeholders including:
• APHA Departments (various)
• APHA/Defra Communications and Contract Management Teams
• Cross agency APHA; Science, Veterinary and Field Services Directorates
• GB policy customers (Defra, Scottish and Welsh Governments)
• External commercial organisations (Clinical Research Organisation (CRO), monitor, external auditor, consultants, and commercial providers)

and

• Development and review of documentation for the project e.g., over-arching documentation, SOP writing etc
• The DPL will need to review all relevant documentation and ensure they are processed in accordance with expectations to deliver milestones
• Quality Control – the DPL will need to act as primary reviewer of the GCP data received by APHA to ensure it is of sufficient quality to meet GCP guidelines This will include liaising with the Monitor and critically reviewing their reports
• Work with the PL to write and submit relevant annual project documentation
• Work with PL to have financial oversight – ensuring contracts and expenditure align
• Maintain sufficient consumable and reagent stock levels e.g., DIVA and BCG batches
• Lead on update and review of the Risk Register

The intensity of the project can by its nature be variable and uncertain. If and when workflows dictate, the postholder may be asked to contribute to appropriate research science projects within the bovine TB team to develop/maintain expertise. Hence a sound scientific background consistent with SSO grade is critical.

General oversight and management of responsibilities associated with the Science Strategy and Planning team such as meeting agenda and planning, meeting actions, management of SharePoint platform, communication requirements and project task management

Person specification

This is a challenging and high-profile role requiring a mixture of project management, technical, managerial, and scientific skills. The post would suit an experienced, adaptable and confident scientist with a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant biological science and experience in project management and/or clinical trials.

A strong scientific background with a good understanding of the science underlying the project (e.g. bovine tuberculosis, vaccinology, immunology) or evidence of the aptitude to quickly get up to speed with this. Complex problems will need to be solved using specialist knowledge related to vaccinology and bovine TB disease (either of the post-holder themselves or in consultation with and other APHA scientists) so that scientific rigour is maintained throughout GCP/ GLP studies and towards the marketing authorisation.

Applicants will have significant experience in delivering either complex or high-risk projects within agreed time, cost and quality constraints. You will have achieved this using your expert knowledge of project management tools and methodologies and be capable of designing a project structure and organisation to meet the requirements of the project according to its point in the lifecycle.

Able to multitask and see the big picture making sure all actions from meetings are co-ordinated and acted upon in a timely manner. Be able to make timely decisions in a high-pressured environment and confident in co-ordinating and facilitating the different CVT teams (both internal and external).

Have practical experience in actively managing project risks and issues, able to make decisions, engage in dialogue on risk management strategy, and demonstrate a level of skill beyond simply ‘managing a process’. You will be able to apply your skills to a range of risks, with a sound understanding of how they relate to wider strategy.

Proactive and adaptable – confident in challenging stakeholders/process/Project Lead.

Well-developed writing skills and meticulous attention to detail to ensure that documentation is clear, unambiguous, and professional is essential.

Excellent leadership and team working skills. Be able to build and develop a high performing and motivated project team. You will be tuned in to the needs of the business, ready to flex structures to ensure that your project team remains aligned with delivery goals and wider strategy

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,439, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £10,648 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement & behaviour statements. 

In the Personal Statement please write up to 500 words demonstrating how you meet the skills and experience detailed 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 criteria "Communicating & Influencing".

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 your technical skill, experience & behaviour statements.

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.  Details will be given if invited for interview.

Interviews will be held via Video Link. 

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 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/Disclosure Scotland 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. 

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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. 

Higher Security Clearance 

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

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. 

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

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.