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.   

More than ever before the health of our environment, plants, animals and bees matters. Do you wish to be part of an amazing, diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UK’s animal, plant and bee health?. You will be helping to make a difference to the UK and contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate disease in plants, animals (such as Avian Influenza) and protecting global biodiversity. 

If so, we would like to hear from you!

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity as a Senior Data Scientist to take up a new position in the Epidemiology and risk team, supporting the National Emergency Epidemiology Group (NEEG). 

This role will involve working with specialists and IT professionals in a programme of work aiming to modernise the collection, sharing and use of various data sources in preparedness for, and responding to animal disease outbreaks across GB. 

The Epidemiology and Risk team sits within the Animal and Plant Health and Service Delivery Directorate and is leading this programme of work to improve and integrate the complex landscape of data systems held across government, NGO’s, laboratories, and research teams. As well as delivering enhanced IT to support multi-agency surveillance, and control operations, this programme will significantly develop the APHA data dashboards, and facilitate data sharing more widely with the research community. 

As a Senior Data Scientist you will work closely with the Head of International Disease Monitoring and Risk, VENDU, EpiRisk Team, other Veterinary Advisers, and Scientists in Animal Health and Welfare Advice, Defra and the Devolved Administrations policy colleagues, and APHA’s Department of Epidemiological Sciences. 

You will liaise with policy-makers, colleagues across the NEEG, and wider APHA to understand requirements regarding data cleansing and visualisation, and implement and maintain the relevant data processes and outputs. The successful candidate will advise colleagues including policy-makers, specialists, and other key stakeholders on the outcomes from data analysis, ensuring they are fit for purpose and communicated effectively. 

Working in collaboration with Defra and Devolved Administration policy makers, as well as with teams across APHA, this post provides the job-holder with substantial opportunity to develop and enhance a range of competences, including line management of a Higher Scientific Officer (HSO), as well as maintaining and building on technical skills and expand their network of contacts. 

The role has far-reaching impact on not only the Agency but also on Defra and UK reputation. The post holder is responsible for managing and validating data sets used for crucial outbreak management and control. 

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

• Use their expertise to bring together novel reporting streams both external and internal to APHA to develop a coherent view of international and national veterinary health to support outbreak management and control
• Ensure effective knowledge exchange between 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
• Provide technical advice and business support to the National Epidemiology Emergency Group (NEEG), Exotic Disease Control (EDC) policy team, and other stakeholders
• Provide regular information on current disease investigations to the NEEG, Defra Policy colleagues, and others in appropriate formats
• Produce metadata and collate and manage data both for Open Data publication, and for internal use to inform policy decisions, on behalf of the NEEG and EDC, modify paperwork and provide bespoke IT support, for example in relation to the multiple data sets maintained by the Exotics and Risk Team
• Lead on data preparedness for exotic animal diseases. The post holder will have a key role in the management of disease outbreaks as data scientist in the National Emergency Epidemiology Group (NEEG). Data sourcing and analysis, as well as sharing information in the best way for the various teams involved in the outbreak are important within this role, both in preparation for and during an outbreak, and need to be delivered at pace
• Take responsibility for their own learning and development, which may include attendance at technical meetings and seminars and courses; and, deliver training e.g. to other team members, on how to undertake data management and data mining techniques
• Line manage a HSO position within the team

Person specification

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

• An understanding of complex animal health, movements, surveillance data systems in use in the UK and how to extract data
• Experience of working across multiple teams, reacting flexibly and at pace to provide advice and evidence
• Understanding of evidence-based policy making and the use and value of technical information to inform this
• The ability to clearly explain technical concepts regarding data handling to a non-technical audience
• Knowledge of mathematical modelling and notifiable animal diseases, including outbreak management and control
• The ability to innovate and use initiative to drive work forwards

Learning and Development 

Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through 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. 

In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA.

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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process 

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement (500 words), and four behaviour statements.  

For the personal statement, considering the Job Description and Person Specification, please demonstrate in 500 words how you are most suited to this role.

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, Changing and Improving. 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 behaviours, technical skills, and strengths.

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed. 

Interviews to be held via video link.

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.

All applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations. Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice. 

Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

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 to the Civil Service 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 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. 

Loan and Fixed Term Appointments 

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Senior Data Scientist on the Epidemiology Risk team.

The post is permanent, and the permanent post-holder is absent for a known period. The fixed term will end on the return of the post-holder or when the post is filled on a permanent basis by a different person.

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.