Animal Sciences Senior Veterinary Officer (SD22/108)

Full Job Description

Details

Reference number

246591

Salary

£40,262 – £44,724
Pro-rata salary for job share

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

Pathology & Animal Sciences Department, Science Directorate

Type of role

Science Veterinary Services

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1
Contents
Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information
Location
New Haw, South East England, KT15 3NB
About the job

Job summary

Do you want to be part of a team supporting research to protect Great Britain from exotic notifiable diseases? Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal health and welfare? Do you want to apply your communication and problem-solving skills in a role that provides variety and flexibility? If so, why not join us and make a difference! 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. To be part of a team of specialist veterinary surgeons, bioveterinary scientists and animal technicians in Pathology Department’s Animal Sciences Unit, leading the delivery of live animal phases of infectious disease research and statutory disease surveillance functions, ensuring compliance with Home Office regulations (ASPA), providing advice on the welfare and treatment of the animals as Named Veterinary Surgeon, developing and promoting the animal science discipline, and managing specialist staff and facilities within APHA.

Job description

Animal science project delivery and capability leadership: to contribute to animal welfare of a wide range of animals used in research, development animal science capability and expertise and engage in policy relevant research across disease portfolios. Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) responsiblities and associated duties outlined in the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. This includes leadership of compliance and implementation of APHA’s Animal Welfare Standards with the animal technician team. Staff and facility management: line management or functional management of scientific staff working in animal facilities. Responsibility for delivery of high disease containment animal studies (up to ACDP3, SAPO4), with responsibility for animal disease biosecurity and HO compliance, staff training and performance management. Corporate activities: budget contribution, administrative responsibilities, CPD and other duties as required, including on call, duty rotas and emergency response; involvement in health and safety and quality processes. Key areas of work will include:
  • Animal science project delivery and capability leadership: to further welfare of a wide range of animals used in research, design and lead relevant projects across a range of disease or commercial portfolios. Development of animal science capability and expertise, including development and application of new technologies and advances relevant to Animal Sciences at APHA, and engagement in policy relevant research across disease portfolios. Opportunity for a post-graduate degree/PhD. Job holder must have a keen interest in research and proactively seek opportunities to develop modern welfare assessment tools. They will proactively contribute to the “3Rs” (reduction, refinement, replacement), particularly the refinement of experimental or veterinary procedures.
  • Named Veterinary Surgeon: Provision of advice on implementation of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act (full training will be provided). Ensure veterinary care and attention is given to a range of experimental animals as appropriate. Ensure the veterinary team can deliver adequate veterinary cover and services at all times. A rota is shared with the other NVSs (1 in 4 or 5) to respond to animal welfare emergencies. Advise on the health and welfare needs of a range of species, and the implementation of the 3Rs. Participate in study planning, execution and reviews, and ensuring appropriate records and documentation are kept and quality and safety standards are adhered to.
  • Staff and facility management: line management or functional management of scientific staff working in animal facilities. Responsibility for delivery of high disease containment animal studies (up to ACDP3, SAPO4), with responsibility for animal disease biosecurity and HO compliance, staff training and performance management.
  • Specialism: The jobholder will be expected to develop as a veterinary specialist with regards to the species and the infectious organisms used in their area of responsibility and an awareness of the policy relevance of the work undertaken. They will lead on the development of the science capability within the department and support the Animal Science discipline champion. They will be encouraged to obtain a personal Home Office licence in order to carry out regulated procedures.
  • BioEthics, Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB): The jobholder will be an active member of the AWERB and its species care and use subcommittee, participating in meetings as well as have input into project licence applications, study and protocol reviews.
  • Communication: The jobholder will be required to have excellent interpersonal skills liaising with a very diverse range of people with differing skills and expertise. They should be able to confidently deliver training and presentations, and chair meetings as required as well as write/contribute to scientific reports and publications.
  • Budget and Financial planning: Sound resource management is important – they will be involved in planning of multidisciplinary work, liaising with departmental administration team to ensure good budgetary management, effective use of resource and workforce planning. They may have contract management duties.
  • Safety: Ensure that adequate training and planning for response to emergency scenarios is in place; actively lead and participate in safety inspections and audits. Work closely with safety representatives in respect of these duties.
  • Quality: The jobholder will be required to keep up to date on all legislation that could impact on quality issues within the department and will contribute to the preparation and planning of inspections and audits within the department, and be involved as required in pre-start meetings, facilitation on the day, wash-up meetings and management resolution of arising actions.

Person specification

Required skills and experience:
  • Clinical practice in either food animal species or experimental models
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills – written and oral, team working
The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols, which may require vaccination. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. They must wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. The work of the post can be physically demanding. 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. A valid full driving licence is necessary. Periodic travel within the UK may be required as part of ongoing research. As NVS, out of hours working (very low call out rate) will be required on a rota basis (1 in 4 or 5), which will be remunerated accordingly. Contracted working hours – 37 per week.

Licences

A valid full driving licence is necessary.

Qualifications

A Veterinary degree is required.

Memberships

You must be registered with, or immediately eligible for, RCVS. MRCVS is essential for this post.

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
  • Statement of relevant technical skills for this post; e.g. veterinary expertise, previous experience with experimental models or pathogens at different containment level
Benefits
In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. APHA offers a comprehensive training framework (incl Masters, PhD) with a wide range of development opportunities and a generous CPD package. You will have access to an Employee Assistance Programme and other benefits. 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), plus Bank Holidays and Privilege Days, flexible working, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme. We have a Staff Recognition Scheme with our in-year awards rewarding exemplary work. At SEO grade for vets we currently have a system that pays a dual-level financial award depending on level of experience and competency in the role. This scheme is only available once staff have passed probation and is not part of the contractual rewards package.
Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, 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, behaviour and technical statements using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR). 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 lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture. 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 Experience and Behaviours. You will be asked to give a presentation and details of this will be given in advance. 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 to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. Visa Sponsorship Statement 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
We have a Staff Recognition Scheme with our in-year awards rewarding exemplary work. At SEO grade for vets we currently have a system that pays a dual-level financial award depending on level of experience and competency in the role. This scheme is only available once staff have passed probation and is not part of the contractual rewards package. 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 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 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 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 accept 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. 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 pass a disclosure and barring security check.
People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:
  • UK nationals
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.
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.
Apply and further information