Job summary
APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.�
Are you someone who can lead and manage change in a challenging and dynamic environment?
Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare? �
Do you have the ability to influence others and guide your team in a shared strategy?
If so, we would love to hear from you!
We are looking for a confident and inspiring Technical Team Leader to join our England Field Delivery team who are responsible for undertaking checks on live animals entering Great Britain.�
Most of your time will be helping to oversee the operational delivery of checks on live animals imported into GB from third party countries. Your role will be part of the leadership team responsible for preventing the introduction of animal diseases and invasive species into GB, and to ensure the welfare of animals during transport is not compromised.�
Job description
The activities undertaken by technical and veterinary staff involves documentary, identity, physical and welfare checks on a variety of animals which include commercial cats and dogs, birds, fish, reptiles, insects, amphibians, horses, and livestock.�
As a key member of the team, you may also undertake checks on live animal consignments when required. This role is not a �desk-based� Team Leader job in this regard, and this is what makes it a rewarding position.
As Technical Team Leader you will join a seven day a week shift pattern and will have line management responsibilities of Animal Health Officers (AHO�s),�ensuring the effective and efficient deployment of those technical staff to meet delivery requirements - helping to protect animal health, safeguard animal welfare and to facilitate International Trade.
You will be required to work in a shift pattern that includes weekends and public holidays and attend Border Control Posts (BCPs) when on duty and if required.
Your duties will include but not be limited to the following:��
1. Be responsible to the Delivery Team Leader for the day-to-day effectiveness of resource management. Prioritising resource and workloads across the team for delivery targets to be met in accordance with policies and operational procedures.
2. To maintain a team culture where the team works effectively on a local and Agency-wide basis, by encouraging consistency and best practice nationally.
3. To work collaboratively across the agency to help influence operational decision making.
4. To ensure the team works effectively with operational partners and stakeholders.
5. To develop the team via a matrix management system of Resilience & Technical Advisors, building capability to meet performance targets and readiness to respond to incidents and emergencies.
6. To ensure the team undertakes business as usual and resilience training requirements as identified by the Resilience & Technical Advisors (through Quality Assurance work).
7. To undertake checks on live animal consignments.
8. To liaise with colleagues from Centre of International Trade.
Person specification
We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following skills and experience:�
9. Leading and managing an Operational Delivery Team in a dynamic, reactive working environment.
10. Effectively plan to aid work allocation and resource management.
11. Leading others, managing performance and developing team members effectively.
12. Providing clear and focused oral briefings to staff and senior officers.
13. Providing both management and technical support for staff.
14. Attending key internal and external meetings, articulating sometime complex information to help raise awareness and understanding and to influence future decision making.
Essential Skills and Experience�
15. Leading and influencing others.
16. Understanding of the commercial and non-commercial import rules.
17. Understanding of the Welfare of Animals during Transport regulations.
18. Knowledge of APHA�s regulatory role and associated controls.
19. Experience of the trade in animals moving across borders, risks and issues.
20. Experience of border controls, people, commercial and border agency movements.
21. Disseminating key information quickly to aid the effective deployment of staff.
22. Managing substantial personal workload with minimum supervision, prioritising and meeting tight deadlines.
23. Ability to demonstrate critical thinking.
24. Ability to apply knowledge of the relevant legislation when required.
25. Ability to work to a high level of integrity, routinely handling sensitive information.
26. Able to evidence self-motivation, working within a team and on own initiative, often under considerable time pressure.
27. Excellent interpersonal skills, maintaining effective regular contact with key partners, conducting presentations, and engaging in briefings and meeting.
28. Sound computer skills, including use of Windows based software, such as MS Word, Teams, SharePoint Online, Excel and PowerPoint.
Learning and Development�
Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.�
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.�
Licences
Full Driving Licence
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
29. Leadership
30. Delivering at Pace
31. Communicating and Influencing
32. Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
33. Leadership
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �32,136, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes �8,676 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Further benefits offered also include:�
34. A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.���
35. An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.���
36. Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.���
37. Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.��
38. Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.��
These are just a few of our benefits we offer. To find out the full range of what we offer refer to the Information Pack attached for more detail.�