About the job

Job summary

APHA is an executive agency of Defra and works to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of individuals, the environment, and the economy.  The Data Systems Group (DSG) is a workgroup within the Department of Epidemiological Sciences.  The group undertakes the data management function within the Department and wider Science directorate.  It has systems development, data management  and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capability.  DSG has experience of the data associated with a wide range of animal health disease areas e.g. TB and TSE and liaises widely with Epidemiologists, Modellers and Statisticians both internally and externally (e.g. University research groups) over their analysis requirements. 

The postholder will lead the DSG Workgroup.  They will manage the people and resources to ensure the successful delivery of projects within the workgroup, to strengthen capability and to take responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of staff.  The post-holder will ensure that the work undertaken by DSG is a  strategic fit with the aims of the Department, Science Directorate and APHA.  They will seek to ensure that staff have the necessary resources (in particular IT resources) in place to efficiently undertake their work.

The workgroup leader will seek to ensure that rigorous data standards are applied to all work carried out by the group.  For a number of projects, within their specialist disease or technical area, the post-holder will lead for DSG.  For these projects, the post-holder will liaise directly with funders and collaborators about requirements and DSG’s contribution and will be directly responsible for agreed deliverables.  For all projects where DSG are involved they will have over-sight and be available to discuss direction and required resources with the DSG project lead. 

The post holder will chair both the monthly whole group meetings and management meetings.  On behalf of DSG they will attend the departmental workgroup leader meeting, they will support and, on occasions, deputise for the Head of Department.

Job description

Workgroup leader:  The workgroup currently consists of 30 staff working as data managers, systems developers, GIS specialists, and project support staff.  The postholder will ensure the vision and aim of the workgroup are clear and are compatible with those of the agency and Defra.  They will provide coaching and mentoring to staff within the workgroup, ensure best practice is cascaded within the workgroup (especially relating to quality standards) and facilitate a high level of staff engagement.  They will manage the people and resources to ensure the successful delivery of projects within the workgroup, to strengthen capability and to take responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of their staff.  The post holder will support and, on occasions, deputise for the Head of Department and will be given delegated management activities to support Department capability, performance and profile. 

Staff management: They will directly manage 3 G7 members of staff: setting their work objectives, carrying out their annual performance appraisal, as well as their day-to-day management and personal development.  This position therefore attracts an additional 5% supervisory allowance.

Project leadership: They will lead successful surveillance and research projects, which may be highly collaborative and involve multiple partners.  This role includes proposal preparation and planning, functional management of all those working on the projects, prioritising tasks within the project and monitoring progress, budget and resource allocations.  It also includes the identification and establishment of links with collaborators with appropriate expertise, especially in areas new to APHA.  They will review the deliverables within the project to ensure that they are scientifically robust, therefore ensuring the timely submission of high quality deliverables.  

Communication: They will maintain and initialise contacts both within and outside of (national or international) the APHA.  In  particular, they will maintain and improve existing links with all those (APHA, DDTS and 3rd party suppliers) responsible for DSG’s IT provision; Defra, WG and SG Policy staff who form the bulk of the customer base and all sub-contractors working directly and in-directly for the group.

Person specification

• Experienced in leading a team and particularly in the training, development and mentoring of staff.  The postholder will directly line manage staff, therefore experience of formal line management is essential.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are essential in order to represent the workgroup at meetings/conferences and also to present (for example) system designs/work flows/results to a variety of audiences within and outside of government. 
• Experienced in leading data-based projects in a scientific (animal, plant or human health) environment.
• Promotes new ways of working and continuously seeks opportunities to improve processes and developments.  Shows awareness of the impact on their own business area of implementing any changes
• Experience in the leadership of successful scientific projects (including their preparation), with collaborating organisations is essential. 

DSG consists of groups dealing with:

• Data management of animal health data e.g. Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) data

• Development of animal health data systems e.g. SQL Server/DotNet data capture systems
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Software development for modelling
• Data warehousing.  

The in-depth technical experience of the applicant could be in any of these areas, but outside of their specialist area they would be required to have an awareness and overview of the other specialisms of the group.

The Postholder will have a proven capacity and track-record in one of the above areas.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,120, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £14,072 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.

For the personal statement, please write up to 500 words demonstrating how you meet the required skills and experience for this role.

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour "Leadership". 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 assessed on Behaviours, technical skill and your experience.

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra 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.  Location preference is subject to availability.

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 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.

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.

Near miss

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in APHA which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

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 or 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 Preferred

The post is full-time; however we will accept a minimum of four days per week (29 hours and 20 mins (before breaks)) or two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged. 

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 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 a minimum of 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.

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

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. 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.