About the job

Job summary

The post holder will be leading a dynamic team of research veterinary pathologists to deliver a range of research and surveillance projects focused on high-impact, notifiable and zoonotic diseases of production animals, as well as supporting the work of the Pathology & Animal Sciences Department and the wider Agency.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 2,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.

Job description

You will lead the group of research veterinary pathologists at APHA with an emphasis on the investigation of exotic, emerging and zoonotic diseases of a large variety of species in an inclusive and fair manner. This post required close collaboration with specialists from across APHA to deliver high quality, inter-disciplinary scientific projects and policy driven research. In addition, you will work together with the other teams of scientists and pathologists of the department.

You will be using your veterinary pathology skills to aid in the detection of these policy sensitive diseases and advancing the understanding of disease pathogenesis in animal models. You will be communicating your scientific findings and providing consultancy to scientists and policy stakeholders. You will contribute to the promotion and development of the pathology discipline within the agency through training, mentoring and building links with APHA research groups.

Responsibilities will include: 

1. Provision of specialist necropsy and histopathology expertise in support of APHA research programmes, commissioned surveillance contracts and statutory diagnosis (such as avian influenza, TB, rabies, EBL, and other)
2. Project Leadership through the development and delivery carried out in collaboration with other APHA research groups, keeping within budget and to milestones
3. Development, reading and troubleshooting of histology, in situ technologies and digital pathology used within the department
4. Dissemination of research findings through preparation of project reports, scientific publications and other formats
5. Maintaining skills and knowledge through scientific literature, attendance & presentation at seminars, conferences etc
6. Management of staff and resources, including veterinary research pathologists and the post-mortem team. This will include workload and strategic planning, prioritisation and monitoring productivity, implementation of planned changes, resource and budget monitoring
7. Training, mentoring and support of other veterinary research pathologist and scientists
8. Contribution to pathology facility and staff compliance with legislative safety, Home Office and Quality standards including ISO9001, ISO17025, GLP, ACDP3, SAP03, A(S)PA as appropriate
9. Membership of APHA’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Board

Person specification

 Experience and skills

• Veterinary degree
• Member, or eligibility for membership, of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
• PhD in veterinary pathology or similar research experience
• Proven track record in gross pathology, histopathology and other pathology tools for disease investigation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £54,328, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £14,668 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, two Behaviour statements and one Technical statement. (250 word max per Behaviour and Technical statement) 

In your Personal Statement please write up to 500 words to describe how your skills and experience match the person specification and experience requirements listed in the job description.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. 

As part of the assessment process you will be asked to give examples of Behaviours, Experience & Technical skills using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) (https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/interview-advice/the-star-method). If successful for an interview you may be asked to give a presentation and details of this will be given at the time.

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 Skills and Experience.

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed at interview.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) 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. 

Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at APHA Weybridge where the team is located. Due to the nature of the role and the duties, the successful candidate is required to work at this location most of the time. Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or in an event of an outbreak.

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 and Higher Security Clearance

Employment into Civil Service is governed on grounds of Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNR) and subject to UK Immigration Rules, including the new points based immigration system.

Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) is a Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and can provide Sponsorship into certain roles, subject to both parties meeting the UK Visa and Immigration requirements. Due to CSNR changes, APHA are able to provide sponsorship for role into the following Standard Occupational Classification codes;

• 2216 Veterinarians – all jobs

Once you have been in the UK for 18 months you would be required to complete higher security checks for this role.

Higher Security Clearance

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. UK Candidates posted to New Haw will be subject to a higher level of clearance (CTC) 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. 

For Visa Sponsorship candidates please see the guidance above. I.e. Once you have been in the UK for 18 months you would be required to complete higher security checks for this role.

Full Time Only 

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. 

We may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. Part-time hours will only be considered as part of a job share.

Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or call upon in an event of an outbreak. 

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 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. 

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.

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

Other Information

Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with poultry may apply. Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with small animals, mainly rodents and rabbits, will apply.

The successful candidate should not keep pigs or poultry or live on premises where there are domestic livestock or poultry.

Depending on the areas of work involved, you will be expected to have necessary vaccinations and health surveillance. This will be arranged by the Health team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.

The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required.

The work of the post can be physically demanding. Due to access requirements to biosecure areas, individuals must be physically able.

Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident or as part of on-call rotas. 

Travel will be required to attend training courses. You must have a valid driving licence or be able to call upon suitable alternate means of transport.

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.