About the job

Job summary

The postholder will primarily support Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) delivery of the Salmonella Strategy on behalf of Defra.

The work will involve oversight of the performance of Defra-approved Salmonella testing laboratories, primarily those testing NCP (National Control Programme) samples under the CSPO (Control Salmonella Poultry Order), but also those testing PHS (Poultry Health Scheme) samples under TARP (Trade in Animal Related Products) for both Salmonella and Mycoplasma. The postholder will liaise with stakeholders including managers of Defra-approved laboratories (DALs), disease and test consultants, DES (Department of Epidemiological Sciences) and the DALs team, UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service). They are responsible for the collation and analysis of approved laboratory test data on an annual basis. They will work alongside the APHA One Health team to deliver expert appraisal of applications for laboratory approval. Additionally, they will conduct audits of laboratories, write associated reports, and provide training. In addition, the post holder will act as a technical expert for Salmonella related international audits as requested by the UK Office of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Trade Assurance (UKOSPTA). They will also provide support to ensure the samples collected on farms, hatcheries etc. and destined for testing at the DALs, are fit for purpose. There will also be involvement with the VETQAS proficiency testing (PT) team for both the provision of comments on participants performance in the VETQAS PTs and contribution to an annual ring trial for approved laboratories using a challenging faecal matrix with low Salmonella levels. The postholder will also contribute to future developments in EQA/PT and be involved in other general work relating to quality assurance within APHA. There is also likely to be an opportunity to contribute to relevant research projects and scientific publications.

Job description

• Provide external and internal auditing, training, and advisory services for APHA and DALs. Plan and conduct auditing to monitor compliance with Defra and APHA procedures for approved laboratories and relevant International Standards and to facilitate improvements in business processes
• Provide oversight of the performance of Defra-approved Salmonella testing laboratories, primarily those testing NCP samples under CSPO, but also those testing PHS samples under TARP
• Liaise with disease and test consultants, DES and the DALs team, UKAS, proficiency testing team in Sutton Bonington and APHA One Health to deliver expert appraisal of applications for laboratory approval
• Provide audits (and associated reports) of laboratories which apply/reapply for Defra approval (on a 2-yearly basis) or in cases of performance issues
• Act as a technical expert for Salmonella related international audits as requested by the UK Office of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Trade Assurance (UKOSPTA)
• Collation and analysis of approved laboratory test and EQA data including the provision of comments on participants performance in the VETQAS PTs
• Contribution towards an annual ring trial of approved laboratories using a challenging faecal matrix with low Salmonella levels
• Act as APHA’s representative, liaise with UKAS (if required), APHA Quality/ISO17025 teams and VETQAS Sutton Bonington, with regards to DAL Salmonella-related EQA procedures and DAL inspection programme. Coordinate and advise on the effective response to findings raised at External and Internal audits
• Maintain and develop expertise in ISO17025, ISO9001 and ISO17043
• Provide advice and summary reports on issues affecting the DAL scheme to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) / DALs Team
• Troubleshoot and resolve quality issues/ findings
• Responsibility for ensuring the establishment of effective and efficient implementation and communication of quality initiatives across the DAL network
• Identification of opportunities for efficiency gains and continual improvement through appropriate harmonisation of methods and procedures across DALs sites, through production of training material and participation in DALs meetings and training events
• Work with personnel to ensure the samples collected on farms, hatcheries etc, destined for testing at the DALs, are fit for purpose (along with accompanying paperwork)

Undertaking all other duties reasonably expected of the post-holder.

Person specification

This is a high-profile role created in response to Defra strategic Salmonella control priorities and there will be close scrutiny of the effectiveness and impact of the post from Defra and the APHA One Health Team. The post will also contribute to critical international audits at the request of UKOSPTA.

Laboratory testing experience in bacteriology.

Demonstrable work experience in an ISO accredited laboratory environment, including experience of audits (received or administered).

The post-holder will be motivated and confident with good organisational skills and ability to work effectively with others within and outside the organisation. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are needed to communicate (including presentations) with a range of stakeholders and to advise and encourage for improved performance amongst audited teams where required. There will be a need to analyse data and incorporate such analyses into reports for auditees and APHA senior managers/Defra.

Bacteriology experience is essential.

Knowledge of ISO17025, ISO9001 & ISO6579 and auditing against these standards will be required.

The post holder must have a ‘critical eye’ to audit and identify improvements to ensure that the scientific goals are met.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,136, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £8,676 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. 

For 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 CV. 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 your experience, technical skill & behaviour statements.

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.

Near Miss

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

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 post is full-time, we may consider 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.

If based at Weybridge: 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 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.

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.