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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are seeking a Senior Scientific Officer to lead in the Discipline of Wildlife Management within the Wildlife Department.
This role will be focused on (but not solely related to) wildlife disease. APHA is an executive agency of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The Wildlife Department has an international reputation for managing human wildlife conflicts and are responsible for providing evidence, impartial advice and services, to prevent, mitigate or resolve human-wildlife conflicts, particularly disease issues. Playing a lead role and working with a wide range of public and private sector stakeholders mainly in the UK but also some overseas.
Job description
The post holder will be responsible for four related functions:
- To manage a small team of direct reports, as well as manage larger virtual teams where required
- To establish document portfolios (write, hold and manage) enabling APHA to catch and sample wild species as required. This would include project justifications, study plans, SOPs, licences etc
- To manage a matrix of staff skills and equipment necessary to enable rapid deployment for some species/purpose combinations, and roadmaps to permit timely deployments for most other work. This can include the post holder receiving training in field/species skills to act as field team leader for some projects
- Whilst the role will be expected to cover a wide range of scientific and operational purposes (mainly relating to wildlife disease), as these arise, there will be a specific initial focus on enabling a rapid response function for amphibians (disease and non-native species) and subsequently birds. The job will involve close working with colleagues within NWMC, including the Non-native inspectorate, across APHA, as well as with stakeholders such as Defra, the SNCBs such as Natural England, NGOs, and landowners
All necessary technical training would be provided with the proviso that the post holder will have some knowledge and expertise in Wildlife, and be an established and enthusiastic project manager to act as the point of reference for a wide variety of related issues around the capture/study of wild animals in the field.
Person specification
Experience:
- Knowledge of Wildlife research or management
- Leading research or management projects
- Project planning, implementation, data analysis and report writing
- Communicating science to stakeholders (e.g academia, government, and other national and international organisations)
Qualifications
Experience within wildlife research or management
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£10,648 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Alongside your salary of £39,439, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £10,648 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- Offering 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
- End of year Performance Awards and Staff Recognition Schemes
- Cycle to work scheme and season free ticket loan to support travel to work
Holiday
25 days of annual leave, increasing by one day per year until the maximum of 30 days is reached, plus bank holidays and privilege days.
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, Apprenticeships and on the job development (shadowing, coaching, working with project teams) and talent management programmes. Corporate induction and three days special leave for volunteering
Staff Wellbeing
Access to Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health Service and the Civil Service Sports Council.
An environment with flexible working options, scope for working at home.
Office attendance
Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the office locations listed in this advert. Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit a brief CV (education and employment history) and a 500 word personal statement outlining your skills, experience and suitability to this role, as specified in the job description.
Further details on what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on experience, and behaviours.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Interview dates, and location to be confirmed.
Further information
Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.
A valid full driving licence is necessary or access to an alternative means of transport.
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.
All applicants will be based in the advertised location.Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice.
Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.
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 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
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 : Alissa Tonkinson
- Email : alissa.tonkinson@apha.gov.uk
- Telephone : 02080262490
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.
