About the job

Job summary

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions. 

Are you looking for an exciting and challenging opportunity to make a difference in quality assurance?

Are you passionate about quality management systems, auditing, and making a positive impact?

Are you someone who can lead and manage successfully in a challenging and dynamic environment, then this is the place for you!

Job description

We are seeking a Quality Manger to lead in ISO17025 accreditation.

Your role will involve proactive problem resolution, providing guidance, and ensuring communication with management to uphold quality standards. As a key member of our team, you will be contributing to maintaining ISO 9001 and act as a consultant to elevate quality standards throughout APHA.

You will have responsibility for:

1. Quality Management and Accreditation:

• Lead on APHA’s Multi-site UKAS accreditation to ISO17025.
• Maintain expertise in ISO17025 and provide internal auditing services.
• Review and maintain the ISO17025 Group Quality Manual.
• Develop expertise in ISO17043, ISO9001, and other relevant quality standards.

2. Auditing and Compliance:

• Plan and conduct audits to monitor compliance with APHA procedures and International Standards.
• Audit sub-contracted facilities when appropriate.
• Clearing findings raised at external and internal audits.

3. Management, Leadership and Communication:

• Lead and manage a team, including responsibility for staff development.
• Communicate with management, facilitating key decisions.
• Attend and contributing to meetings.
• Contribute to Newsletters.

4. Coordination and Liaison:

• Act as APHA’s representative, liaising with UKAS and coordinating accreditation and surveillance inspections.
• Coordinate quality activities through liaison with Local Quality Managers, Technical Manager, and Quality Services Team.

5. Issue Resolution and Improvement:

• Troubleshoot and resolve quality issues/findings.
• Contribute to the Group Quality System Review/Management Review.

6. Strategy and Efficiency:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Quality Services strategy.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency gains and continual improvement.

7. Health and Safety Responsibilities:

• Fulfil responsibilities for health and safety as defined in APHA policies and standards.
• Ensure all health and safety issues identified during quality audits are raised.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following skills and experience:

• Experience of managing ISO17025 accreditation in a laboratory.
• Detailed knowledge of ISO17025.
• Auditor experience.
• Knowledge of other quality standards including the GxPs and ISO9001.  
• Technical knowledge of animal health diagnostic techniques. 
• Proficient in Microsoft platform, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 
• Experience in working with a range of diverse stakeholders.
• Good people management skills.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,295, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £10,069 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, Strengths and Experience.

Throughout our selection process, we will make decisions about your capability to do the job, based on evidence you provide.

Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, Personal Statement and one behaviour statement.

• CV - On the CV you should include details of career history, key responsibilities, and achievements.
• Personal Statement - In a maximum of 750 words. Please provide evidence of how your personal skills, qualities and experience are most suited to this role.
• Behaviour – In a maximum of 250 words, please provide an example against the behaviour Managing a Quality Service (Lead behaviour).

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 on the personal statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. The sift is expected to take place in late December 2023 through to early January 2024.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on behaviours and strengths.

• Behaviours - Please provide an example against the behaviours Managing a Quality Service (Lead), Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing and Delivering at Pace.
• Strengths - Candidates will be asked strength-based questions as part of the interview assessment. 
• A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

Interviews will be conducted via Video link. Interviews are expected to take place in January 2024.

Health and Safety
You will need to comply with health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) when required. 
Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance.  

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.

Location and Working Arrangements
Please be aware that this role will be contractually based in an APHA 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. You can work from any APHA workplace. Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident.

Travel
This post will require travel around the Agency’s locations, with some overnight stays. This can include visit to farms, abattoir, or other post-mortem facilities. You may have to ensure that no contact is made with farmed animals for a period of 1-2 days or more before visiting these premises and may therefore preclude anyone who lives on a livestock farm.  

Induction 
Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. New Joiners to the organisation will attend 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.

Support and Training
All successful candidates will be provided with an extensive programme of training and support as part of their induction into working with APHA. 
APHA appreciates the varying level of experiences and skills successful candidates will hold on joining the agency. Training material is designed to ensure all new entrants, to APHA, build suitable confidence and competencies to deliver the work. All line managers will be supported to complete the Management Fundamentals Programme.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive. 
We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion. 
We have strong staff networks covering mental health, disability, and other needs. We also have a range of special leave policies and will put reasonable adjustments in place for people who need them. 
The department places significant emphasis on talent programmes that help everyone to achieve their full potential. 
The Civil Service is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation. Support available includes a bullying and harassment network and mediation services. 
 
Encouraging diverse applicants 
The natural environment is important for everyone, and we aim for our teams to reflect the diversity of our society. We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups. Your personal qualities will be as important as your professional experience, and we welcome applications from all ethnicities, faiths, and backgrounds.  
We welcome applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status. 

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.
To process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland (depending on your location) 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.

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.

This role is subject to higher security requirements and the successful candidate will need to hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC). Job offers to this post will be made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.  
If the successful candidate is based on the APHA Weybridge site a Security Check (SC) level will be required. 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 between 3 to 10 years continuous UK residency depending on the level of Security. 

Childcare Vouchers
Any move to APHA 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. 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.