About the job

Job summary

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.   

Do you have the ability to influence others and guide your team in a shared strategy?  

Can you translate data and scientific evidence to inform disease control policy?  

Do you want to be part of a team protecting Great Britain from exotic notifiable diseases? 

If so, why not join us and make a difference. 

Job description

The Scientific Advisor (SA) for technical modelling and spatial epidemiology will work closely with the SA for strategic modelling and UK Office, Vet Head of EpiRisk, Veterinary Advisors and Scientists, Surveillance Intelligence Unit, Field Epidemiologists, the Department of Epidemiological Sciences, the Science Strategy and Planning Team, the Veterinary Trade Facilitation team, the UKSF and Defra and DA policy colleagues. 

The SA is accountable for working with key contacts to coordinate and deliver excellence in veterinary epidemiological modelling and scientific advice, to support the development and implementation of veterinary and public health policies and measures, and lead on the team’s response to new activities. 

Working closely with the SA for strategic modelling, this post also supports the longer-term GB modelling strategy development for exotic disease, ensuring; models remain fit for purpose and can produce useful outputs to support exotic disease policy development and outbreak response, and that models and model users follow best practice, with the aim of building senior colleague and stakeholder confidence in model performance.  

The post holder will manage the exotic disease modelling coordinator role, responsible for the management and delivery of Business As Usual (BAU) and outbreak modelling activities. 

The successful candidate will carry out any duties commensurate with the grade and purpose of the post including, but not limited to, the following: 

• Technical leadership and oversight of exotic disease modelling within the EpiRisk team, including working with the SA for strategic modelling on the development of a modelling strategy for priority exotic animal diseases, and management of the modelling coordinator role. 
• Provision of scientific leadership and oversight, during and between outbreaks, to the exotic disease modelling coordinator. 
• Leadership of outbreak modelling and data function during outbreaks and to act as modelling and data lead for the National Emergency Epidemiology Group (NEEG). 
• Building effective and beneficial relationships with internal and external modelling community to enhance internal capability, including oversight of the Modelling Framework. 
• Scientific review and analysis of relevant data and evidence to assess quality, uncertainty and appropriateness for guiding policy and translation of complex science to policy briefings or reports. 
• Provision of written and verbal evidence-based, quality assured scientific epidemiological advice to Ministers, CVOs, policy teams, APHA field and laboratory staff and external stakeholders. 
• Developing new and innovative methods, and refining current methods, of spatial epidemiological data analysis, communication, and visualisation for notifiable disease outbreaks. 
• Ensuring effective knowledge exchange between APHA business units and teams so that data, information and intelligence is effectively shared for decision-making and the provision of advice and knowledge gaps can be appropriately risk-assessed and addressed for continuous improvement and reporting as appropriate. 

For further information on this role please find attached the Job Role background Information document. 

Rotas: 

Whilst there is currently no specific out of hours rota this post holder would be involved in in BAU, this may change and the post holder will be expected to take part, as required by the business. Participation in weekend and bank holiday rotas may be required during exotic disease outbreaks. An allowance is payable for this work 

Person specification

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Comprehensive skills, knowledge and ability in multiple areas of veterinary and public health.
• Demonstrable skills in translating complex spatial epi data and modelling data into easily understandable policy advice.
• A tactical thinker with analytical and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Effective at planning, development, prioritisation and implementation skills.
• Ability to translate complex science into simple messages.
• An ability to work effectively with a network of customers, partners, industry and other stakeholders.
• Motivated, corporate, self-aware with resilience and calm under pressure.
• Work within an auditable system of procedures and processes maintaining and assuring appropriate levels of quality assurance and quality control.
• Work in a flexible, rapidly responsive and agile way, making use of modern technology.

 

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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process 

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement (750 words) and behaviour statements. 

In your Personal Statement (750 max) please consider the Job Description and Person Specification and demonstrate how you are most suited to this role.

Please complete statements on the specified behaviours (250 word max per statement). 

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, Seeing the Big Picture.

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. Interviews will be held via video link. 

Interview 

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

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed. 

For the purposes of the selection process, the Lead Behaviour will be Seeing the Big Picture. 

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.

For most candidates your hours of work will be a blend of working from an  APHA workplace (specific to the team location) with working at home.  

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.

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 maybe 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. 

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 London 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. 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.