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Salary
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Type of role
Veterinary Services
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Contents
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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:
- 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)
- Project Leadership through the development and delivery carried out in collaboration with other APHA research groups, keeping within budget and to milestones
- Development, reading and troubleshooting of histology, in situ technologies and digital pathology used within the department
- Dissemination of research findings through preparation of project reports, scientific publications and other formats
- Maintaining skills and knowledge through scientific literature, attendance & presentation at seminars, conferences etc
- 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
- Training, mentoring and support of other veterinary research pathologist and scientists
- 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
- Membership of APHAs 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
Qualifications
Memberships
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Delivery of research projects and dissemination of scientific results
- Veterinary pathology expertise and skills, including post-mortem examinations and microscopic examinations
- Specialist knowledge of the uses of modern pathology tools and technology
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- Delivery of research projects and dissemination of scientific results
Benefits
£14,668 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
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. Our benefits include generous annual leave of 25 days (rising one day per year up to 30 days after 5 years), flexible working, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
Should you be successful in your application, you can join the active community of scientists and engineers in government as part of the GSE Profession (GSEP). Becoming a member enables you to grow your understanding of profession activities within your own organisation and across the profession. GSEP encourages all members to develop professionally and personally with a variety of free opportunities to learn, develop and network across government. Visit the GSEP GOV.UK page and GSE blog for more details.
Pension and Financial Benefits
Your pension 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.
Examination Leave
Paid leave for exams and revision for approved studies.
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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
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 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 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 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 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
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 : Gemma Aliaj
- Email : Science.DirectorateHR@apha.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.
