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? 

We are looking for people with a passion for leadership, wanting to do interesting and creative roles that help civil servants and public sector leaders to succeed in their roles and support citizens by collaborating across the public sector.   

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 the above applies we would like to hear from you!

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Animal Health and Welfare Advice Team as Technical Head of Subject: Eggs & Poultry Meat Marketing

As National Technical Lead you will ensure APHA and delivery partners deliver to agreed standards, whilst influencing new policy development & operational procedures to keep pace with industry practices.

Duties for the role include but are not limited to:

• Engagement with operational delivery leads across APHA, with key policy customers and delivery partners, and with industry leaders when required.
• According to policy requirements and industry developments across England & Wales, the setting of all national technical standards and coordination, from the technical perspective, of all national compliance & enforcement work. For some work areas, such as implementation of Salmonella NCP liaison with colleagues in APHA Scotland so a GB-wide approach to delivery is achieved.
• Introducing new delivery procedures whenever required, functional management of two Government Technical Advisors covering England & Wales and providing overall functional leadership for all relevant field staff to ensure APHA’s front-line delivery capability & standards.
• Provide high quality and timely technical & industry-specific advice to policy colleagues, APHA operational delivery staff and other delivery partners across England & Wales (WG).
• Horizon scanning and surveillance of industry trends, inspection and compliance data (from APHA’s inspections) to enable strategic planning, including working with management colleagues across APHA delivery teams to ensure sufficient skilled staff are available to deliver the required work, and coordinating any necessary & justified national compliance (e.g. counter-fraud) operations.
• Influence policy makers to ensure both the policy and the delivery solutions are practical, pragmatic, and effective in delivering the desired policy outcomes.
• To continue developing the most effective risk-based inspection and enforcement strategy in accordance with ‘earned recognition’ and reducing the burden from Government on industry.
• Agree key delivery targets, focused specifically on creating positive outcomes for all Egg & Poultry work, and to ensure through management colleagues in Field & SSC Teams the delivery of those targets.
• Work with wider delivery partners in the UK (DAERA for N.I. and SG for Scotland) to enable the most consistent operational approach and standards throughout the UK, reflecting the nature of trade throughout.
• Some technical liaisons may be required with international partners such as other Countries’ enforcement agencies e.g. when technical non-compliances are found in imported eggs.
• Ownership of the technical aspects of Operational Instructions and tools, ensuring they are kept up to date and suitable for compliance and enforcement work.
• Set and monitor the application of Quality Assurance standards for APHA staff undertaking Egg and Poultry Meat Marketing work, including accuracy of egg quality assessments and practical assessments of enforcement work such as Egg Hygiene inspections and all types of counter-fraud records auditing.
• Lead the planning, development and delivery of Egg and Poultry Meat Marketing training for new staff, and relevant refresher courses as required to ensure staff can effectively deliver the required quality of service.
• In outbreak situations, provide any necessary guidance or leadership on matters relating to the Egg & Poultry industry to enable to effective management of such situations.
• Provide innovative but legally sound solutions in locally difficult inspection situations to enable compliance to be achieved or enforcement actions to be taken where situations require, whilst also recognising when to get sign-off from the appropriate policy teams and senior APHA leaders. For issues of a potentially national/ international impact.
• Enable delivery through others, collaborating with and influencing managers of operational teams to enable delivery against targets and requirements.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, able to prioritise and organise their own time and targets effectively and be willing to build the relevant support networks to help develop the EMI/AHO team.

Person specification

Successful candidates will also benefit from being able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Leadership in a functional environment
• Collaborative approach – to work effectively under matrix management.
• Experience of managing a remote team is desirable (to enable strong functional management through matrix management).
• Effective decision making.
• Strong coordination skills.
• Coping well in pressured environments.
• Holding meaningful conversations about performance and coaching others.
• Managing performance effectively with individuals and through line managers.
• Building and maintaining strong and productive relationships with a wide range of delivery partners and customers. A strong understanding of the relevant details of the Egg & Poultry industries, marketing, and associated Regulations, and of field inspections required.
• A detailed technical knowledge and/or the capability to quickly develop broader technical knowledge.
• Excellent practical skills for all technical delivery work.

Learning and Development 

Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join APHA's One Health te, 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, a 500 word personal statement, and two 250 word behaviour statements.  

Working Together

Making Effective Decisions

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, Working Together. 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. 

You will be required to participate in an assessment centre where you will be assessed on your technical skills, and communication and decision-making skills.

Details of this will be provided when interview invitations are sent out.

For the purposes of the selection process, the Lead Behaviour will be Working Together. 

A presentation may also be required

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 or at other Government sites or visiting poultry industry locations each week. For those working full time, this means, on average working at home for 2 days per week.  Unless attending international events or meetings on behalf of APHA.

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 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.