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Salary
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Type of role
Science
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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 2,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to safeguard animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.
This role is to provide general administrative support within the Veterinary Investigation Centre and across the wider Surveillance and Laboratory Services Department.
Job description
To carry out any duties consistent with the grade and purpose of the post including, but not limited to the following:
Administrative Support
- Undertaking various office administrative duties.
- Booking in submissions and preparing reports
- Answering telephone queries and following up enquiries that cannot be immediately resolved.
- Ensuring accurate records are kept and updated accordingly.
- Inputting data and information onto APHA data systems.
- Take ownership for a set of defined admin procedures, as determined by line management.
- Ensure actions are carried out in accordance with the procedures and within the necessary timescales.
- Providing support and guidance to others (internally and externally).
Quality
- To assist the Local Quality Manager with the management of quality within the Centre.
- To assist with local auditing and clearance of actions in liaison with the Local Quality Manager.
- To assist with the collation of quality information, such as complaints, non-conformances, proficiency testing results etc., for the Local Quality Manager.
Safety, Health and Wellbeing
To comply with APHA Health, Safety and Welfare policies and procedures.
Outbreak Response
Is flexible to adapt to changing situations within the office and prepared to support other parts of APHA in the event of an outbreak.
Person specification
- Previous experience of working within an Administrative Office
- Greeting customers and answering phones.
- Familiar with the use of other Microsoft packages, including Outlook and Excel
- Well organised.
- Ability to work under pressure and use own initiative.
- Ability to communicate and work in a team.
- Customer service focused.
- Accuracy inputting and reviewing data.
The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing as required.
Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
£1,550 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
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV template, a 500-word personal statement, and a 250-word behaviour statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Assessment
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace. 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 your skills and experience and the remaining behaviours. A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
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.
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 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 offenses. 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
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.
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 : gemma.aliaj@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.
