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Salary
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Veterinary Services
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
Are you considering a change in your veterinary career?
Are you looking for a career with variety and flexibility in the work you do?
Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal health and welfare, protecting Great Britain from exotic notifiable diseases?
Many of the skills and competences already acquired in veterinary positions elsewhere will be applicable and valued in veterinary roles within APHA. Why not explore a change, a new veterinary path, one that can have far reaching impacts?
Why not join us and make a difference?
We offer first class flexible working benefits, a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, excellent employee well-being support and a civil service pension scheme, as well as 25 days leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years of service.
A career in the Civil Service is like no other. If youre looking to join a world class team and develop your career with us, then the Civil Service is the place for you!
Want to learn more?
Whilst the advert provides the essential details, we will also be holding virtual drop-in sessions. These sessions will be an opportunity to ask questions related to the job and the application process.
To join the relevant session, click one of the links below:
Saturday 11th November 2023 at 10:00
Saturday 25th November 2023 at 10:00
For any additional queries, or for those unable to attend a drop-in session please raise enquiries via: hrresourcingsupport@defra.gov.uk
You can also visit APHA’s Veterinary Careers website for further information. Home – Careers as an APHA Vet (aphavets.co.uk)
Job description
This Vet role involves a wide range of work including, but not limited to, the following:
Responding to incidents and outbreaks of animal notifiable diseases;
Investigating animal diseases in farm livestock by;
– undertaking on-farm and field investigations
– examining and inspecting farmed animals to support differential diagnosis of disease
– conducting post-mortem examinations and collecting samples for laboratory testing when appropriate
– collecting and evaluating history and relevant data to support decisions
– collate and report findings and make recommendations
Welfare investigations, both reactive and surveillance work. Including the welfare of farm animals during transport, at time of killing and when on agricultural holdings
Inspection, approval and audit of premises at a range of settings, from zoos to pet food processing plants, and many other locations
Ensuring compliance, with statutory standards, of animal health and welfare
Building collaborative relationships with a range of valuable partners, including local authorities, industry representatives and non-APHA veterinary surgeons
A reasonable amount of duty and out-of-hours rotas are expected to be covered
All posts will be offered in merit order based on location and business need. There is a facility to select National if you are content to be based at any location throughout the UK.
As part of the role, you will be expected to regularly travel and carry out the duties outlined above. During certain circumstances (e.g. National disease outbreaks) staff will be expected to work on detached duty at other locations, these requests will depend on business need. The post holder will occasionally be required to work from other locations in the delivery area.
Person specification
We are looking for candidates who;
are able to engage with customers and stakeholders confidentially and professionally
have some experience of working in teams of various skills and disciplines
are confident with responsibility in the face of challenge and can adapt to new situations flexibly
are able to produce reports to communicate veterinary knowledge
are comfortable with excellent record keeping and understand the importance of audits and processes that maintain quality outputs
have some practical experience in veterinary work for example, handling of large animals. We’re also looking for proficiency with routine techniques and skills which will enable you to develop as a State Veterinarian.
Support and Training
All successful candidates will be provided with an extensive programme of training and support as part of their induction into working with APHA.
Learning and development tailored to your role. APHA appreciates the varying level of experiences and skills successful candidates will hold on joining the agency. Training material is designed to ensure all new entrants, to APHA, build suitable confidence and competencies to deliver the work.
New veterinary staff will be part of regional, country and GB wide teams who will be provided with widespread support on all facets of APHA work.
Licences
Qualifications
Memberships
Languages
have undertaken undergraduate veterinary training in English;
or
having a sufficient command of spoken and written English to effectively perform the role being undertaken by a public sector worker in a customer-facing role
or
have achieved the following scores in the academic international English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application Overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Understanding of notifiable exotic animal diseases in GB.
- Animal welfare issues in GB agriculture.
- Understanding of the control of endemic animal diseases in GB, such as TB.
- Veterinary Knowledge.
Benefits
£10,069 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Pension and Financial Benefits
Your pension, with an average employer contribution of 27%, is a valuable part of your total reward package and there are various options including Alpha and Partnership pension schemes in which Defra can invest in providing a contribution to the cost of your pension.
Life Assurance: if you become too ill or die before retirement valuable benefits will be provided to you and your family.
Learning and Development
Access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development through Civil Service Learning. Corporate induction and three days special leave for volunteering. Additionally, we have opportunities to apply for fully funded post graduate qualifications, including PhDs and Masters.
Examination Leave
Paid leave for exams and revision for approved studies.
Time off
25 days annual leave (rising up to 30 days over 5 years) for new entrants to the Civil Service and retaining existing arrangements for current Civil Servants.
Special Leave
Additional paid leave for other situations including family-related leave is available for employees volunteering and taking part in public duties, trade union activities, special/trained forces and for health & safety representatives.
Rewards
We have a Staff Recognition Scheme with our in-year awards rewarding exemplary work.
Performance Management
Individual performance plans, learning and development matched to your agreed career objectives and progression plans.
Staff Wellbeing
Access to Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7, providing advice and guidance on both personal and employment issues such as personal wellbeing, career development, legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes. Access to the Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health Service and the Civil Service Sports Council.
Headspace
Free access to Headspace which is a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
Work/ Life Balance:
Travel & Transport Benefits
A range of travel and transport benefits. Access to the cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme that enables you to buy a bike up to the value of £6k.
Shopping and Leisure Benefits
A variety of discounts at online stores and leisure experiences available via Mylifestyle.
Interest Free Loans
For season tickets and/or bicycles and safety equipment as well as tenancy deposit scheme.
Other Benefits:
Relocation
Some of our locations may attract relocation support. This will be discussed at time of offer.
Sick Pay
We have various measures in place to assist with your physical and emotional health. Our focus is on early intervention and proactivity in addressing health issues. However, should you not be well enough to attend work, occupational sick pay, increasing by length of service, is available.
Enhanced Parental Leave
We offer generous maternity leave, paternity leave and shared parental leave.
Making it work for you
With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances. Working within a team of 350 vets and 500 Animal Health Officers and scientists means that theres plenty of flexibility available.
Please see candidate pack for further details:
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, including job history and qualifications, together with a personal statement.
For your CV, outline your current and previous relevant roles and the length of time in each role. Provide a brief description of your duties and responsibilities.
Please provide a personal statement detailing how your skills and experience make you suitable for the role. Consider the items included within the job description and person specifications to provide evidence of how you meet these. Your statement should be no longer than 500 words.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
The sift is expected to take place week commencing 4th December 2023.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviour, Communicating and Influencing. This will be assessed through a presentation. Further details on this will be provided alongside the invite to interview which we hope to run between Monday 11th December to 20th December 2023.
In addition, you will be assessed on the technical elements of the role;
Understanding the threats of notifiable animal exotic diseases in GB
Animal welfare issues in GB agriculture
Understanding of the control of endemic animal diseases in GB, such as TB
Veterinary Knowledge
You will also be asked questions about your experience.
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.
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.
This post offers the successful candidate an additional pay supplement of £3,000 upon appointment (pro rata). In addition to this, there is a further pay supplement of up to £3,000 (pro rata) which may be offered based on an annual competency assessment.
Sponsorship, Visa and Fees
We will be considering applications from outside of the UK however, the number will be strictly allocated to those candidates who meet ALL the necessary conditions governed by the Civil Service Nationality Rules which is in addition to the UK immigration rules. All candidates who want to apply for sponsorship please make sure you have read and understood the additional guidance for working in the Civil Service.
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 this role to successful candidate(s) under Standard Occupational Code 2216 Veterinarians. This role meets the salary criteria to offer a Certificate of Sponsorship. The successful candidate(s) will be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship reference number for this role from APHA and then they can apply to UK Visa and Immigration for a skilled worker visa. They must be able to satisfy UKVI requirements as they hold the final decision on issuing the skilled worker visa.
You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. Youll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply. As a Vet, you may need to prove that you passed an English Language assessment with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Other Documentation
A criminal check will be required before APHA will apply for a certificate of sponsorship as a skilled worker and we will assist with this. This will be in addition to other documentation that you will be required to supply.
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 youre 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 applicants 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 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
Medical
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Defra Recruitment Team
- Email : HRResourcingSupport@defra.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission.
