About the job

Job summary

The jobholder will be working in a team of veterinary pathologists to deliver pathology of a range of research and surveillance projects focused on high-impact, notifiable and zoonotic diseases of production animals as part of the work of the Pathology & Animal Sciences Department and the wider Agency toward achieving our objectives of protecting public health, preventing farm animal disease as well as promoting One Health and animal welfare.

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 and Welsh Governments. 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 be working together with fellow pathologists and other scientists across the APHA to generate high quality data for a variety of surveillance and research projects focused on notifiable, zoonotic and emerging diseases of animals. You will be using your veterinary and pathology skills to aid in these investigations and provide evidence to government policy makers, non-governmental and industry stakeholders and the wider scientific community.

• Conducting necropsies and histopathological examinations in support of APHA research programmes, commissioned surveillance contracts and the diagnosis of statutory diseases including avian influenza, TB, rabies and EBL
• Collaborating with scientists from APHA, other governmental bodies, scientific institutes and academia across the UK and abroad
• Communicating quality, evidence-based advice and scientific data through written reports, presentations and scientific publications
• Maintaining veterinary and scientific expertise through Continuing Professional Development, whilst also supporting the development of your colleagues
• Working to various Quality and Health and Safety standards, including ISO9001, ISO17025, Good Laboratory Practice, Animal Scientific Procedures Act (ASPA), Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO), Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) guidance

Person specification

Experience and skills

1. Veterinary degree
2. Member, or eligibility for membership, of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
3. Interest in developing a career in research is essential.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,577, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £11,495 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 (500 words) and one Behaviour statement (250 word max) using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR).

For the personal statement, in no more than 500 words, please describe how your skills and experience match the person specification and technical criteria listed in the job description.

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). 

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 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 criteria as well as Experience.

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

Location

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.

As part of the pre-employment process, 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.

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.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

We have a Staff Recognition Scheme with our in-year awards rewarding exemplary work. This post offers the successful candidate the opportunity to receive an additional pay supplement of up to £3,000 upon appointment depending on job-relevant experience.  There is a further pay supplement of up to an additional £3,000 which may be offered based on candidate’s experience and annual competency assessment. These allowances do not form part of the Terms of Employment.

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.

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.

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.

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

Other Information

The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and to have any necessary vaccinations.  This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. The use of protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) will be required on occasions.

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

Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.

The successful candidate should not keep pigs or poultry or live on premises where there are domestic livestock or poultry. Temporary restriction on contact with poultry, livestock or rodents may apply under some circumstances.

Staff will be required to work rostered on-call duties, weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings.  You may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment.

Travel will be required to attend training courses and undertake farm visits.  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.