About the job

Job summary

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 3,000 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. 

The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our people are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes. 

More than ever before the health of our environment, plants, animals and bees matters. Do you wish to be part of are 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 and animals. 

We are recruiting to a senior management position as a Workgroup Leader responsible for scientific, resourcing and staffing leadership of the BTB Immunology & Vaccines team within the Department of Bacteriology.

Job description

Leadership of BAC4 (BTB Immunology & Vaccines), one of four Workgroups (c. 21 staff) within the Department of Bacteriology. 

The Workgroup delivers the applied research element of the BTB portfolio providing evidence in support of policy, as well as scientific support to diagnostics/surveillance and national and international reference laboratories.

The postholder will lead the team in resourcing and delivery, provide leadership in people management, and ensure the delivery of science across the Workgroup in an appropriate environment according to relevant Health & Safety and Quality standards. 

The postholder will also be expected to maintain/develop an area of personal science expertise relevant to the Workgroup activities.

Person specification

Provide leadership in science and resource management of the BAC4 workgroup and be a key player in the Department of Bacteriology Senior Management Team flexing team and self to meet priorities as they emerge. 

Science: Maintain a personal science portfolio in an area of work integral to workgroup activities. This could include some of the following in due course:

(1) Acting as APHA test and/or disease consultant in relevant areas of expertise.

(2) National or International Reference Laboratory Lead.

(3) Preparation, delivery, and reporting on research or surveillance projects as appropriate to postholder expertise or

(4) Outreach activities such as external presentations, preparation of peer-reviewed publications for high impact journals, or other esteem markers (such as membership of relevant scientific committees).

Work with the Head of Department/Lead Scientist to ensure science outputs address policy requirements.

People management: Set and monitor clear aims and objectives for team – linked to the Defra and APHA strategies. Make sure all team members have meaningful development plans and goals. Ensure regular feedback to staff on performance and make use of voucher and in-year rewards. Ensure prompt and appropriate response to any performance, attendance and conduct matters. Identify and address skills gaps, succession for self and team (particularly in relation to specialist scientific skills and leadership) and agree appropriate development plans. Ensure that pertinent information cascades downwards from senior meetings through to local meetings. Lead in recruitment for the Workgroup ensuring it is progressed in a timely manner.

Strategic Leadership: Work closely with the BTB Lead Scientist in developing and maintaining a science portfolio. Represent the Workgroup at both BTB Portfolio and Bacteriology Department Senior Team meetings. Input into the departmental scorecard to monitor departmental objectives that cascade from the Science Directorate and strategy scorecards and to staff personal objectives. Escalate risks to portfolio/department risk registers, take responsibility for key risks and identify and develop mitigations. Attend Defra meetings where appropriate to represent personal/workgroup science. Support National and International Reference Laboratories within Workgroup to ensure delivery of agreed objectives and maintenance of Reference Laboratory status. Host Defra and external visitors as requested to highlight the work of the Department. Deputise for the Head of Bacteriology as required.

Estates Work with Facilities management provider to ensure that laboratories remain operational and ensure that contingency plans are in place for critical business activities. 

Finances: Engage in the financial planning process and make the best forecasts possible of income and expenditure for your work area. Prepare and monitor annual planned hours spreadsheet to ensure that resources match income planned and that staff are appropriately utilised. Ensure accurate and timely time recording by staff in your area. Oversee preparation of bids for equipment, estates work etc. to maintain facilities fit for purpose for science delivery.   

Health & Safety/Quality: Provide proactive and visible leadership around Health & Safety being the ‘responsible person’ as outlined in the Department of Bacteriology Health, Safety and Quality Management guidance document. Ensure room officers, nominated persons, Workgroup Quality Advisor etc. are aware of, and undertake, responsibilities outlined in this document. Functionally manage the BAC4/BAC5 Safety Advisor and the BAC4 Local Quality Advisor. Deliver on continuous improvement and ensure all work is delivered with regard to appropriate quality standards. Ensure that external quality accreditations are maintained, increasing scope if required, and contribute to internal and external audits. Lead for the Workgroup on data storage and handling issues working to ensure that appropriate data are retained, accessible and catalogued through use of corporate repositories such as SharePoint. Oversee development and maintenance of the Workgroup SharePoint site/shared space. 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI); Lead by example promoting and utilise the EDI strategy focussing on unconscious bias, disability awareness, bullying and harassment, and inclusive behaviour.

Skills & Experience

Able to demonstrate strong leadership skills.

Experience of managing and resourcing a significant scientific team.

Experience of mentoring junior scientists to produce work to high scientific standards.

Financial management experience.

Experience in research, diagnostics, or surveillance, ideally within the remit of the workgroup, with the scientific credibility to act as a figurehead for science outside own immediate area of expertise.

Experience of preparing successful project proposals/ peer reviewed publications.

Experience of working with other institutes/laboratories at a national and international level.

Good knowledge and experience of ISO9001 and IS17025.

Good written and spoken English.

Full clean driving licence.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,316, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £15,475 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, technical skill, personal statement & 250 word behaviour statements.

Candidates are to give details within their personal statement, in no more than 500 words, of how they are suitable for the post by demonstrating the skills and experience they have from the information listed in the Job Description.

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 personal statement, CV and 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 to be confirmed.

Interview

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

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview. 

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, 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 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.

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 is post is full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. The post is based at the Weybridge APHA laboratories. Attendance at the laboratories is essential and therefore the post holder needs to be able to work from the APHA Weybridge site.

NSV

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

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.

The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the CTC residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have a minimum of 3 years continuous UK residency.  If you cannot meet this criteria CTC clearance will not be possible as this is part of pre-employment checks before taking up the post.

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. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.