Details
Reference number
427216
Salary
£38,795
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Higher Scientific Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
APHA – Science
Type of role
Science
Working pattern
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
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 3,000 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.
The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.
You will support a number of National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for exotic bacterial pathogens ensuring that laboratory capability is in place with tests validated and accredited and support any legislative requirements around these laboratories. You will also oversee Brucella reagent production and diagnostic test work of a team and supporting research by undertaking both immunological and cultural work.
Working to ISO 9001:2015 and, as applicable, ISO 17025:2017, quality standards will also be a vital part of your role.
Job description
* Ensure that APHA has the necessary capability in place, or access to capability, to detect and diagnose disease caused by bacterial agents including, but not limited to, Brucella canis, Brucella ovis, Burkholderia mallei, Francisella tularensis, and Histoplasma farciminosum.
* Develop and maintain knowledge and technical skills for the production and maintenance of APHA's existing brucellosis serodiagnostic assays.
* Capability requirements for each organism varies but includes bacterial culture, agent inactivation, detection of specific DNA and serodiagnosis. The postholder will be expected to be sufficiently knowledgeable in all these disciplines.
* Execution of bacteriological culture methods for agent detection and definition (working in ACDP3/SAPO3 biological containment facilities).
* Participate in the development and validation of new or improved (cultural, molecular, serological) assays in support of national / internationally funded research projects or commercial and international trade.
* Ensure test results are reported to stakeholders in a timely and appropriate manner.
* Communication with disease consultants and international experts to ensure best practices are in place to deliver NRL functions.
* Write, review, and maintain Risk Assessments and SOPs specific to the role.
* Obtain and maintain UKAS Accreditation status for relevant tests.
* Provide reportable and notifiable disease outbreak and case management support when required.
* Contribution to delivery of projects led by disease consultants, this includes contributing to the groups international activities including training of visitors on site or overseas as needed.
* Identifying and developing new opportunities for work/funding that enhance the capability of the APHA.
* Maintain contemporary expert knowledge in laboratory detection and diagnosis of disease caused by the above pathogens.
* Line management of one EO.
Person specification
You will need
* a broad knowledge of diagnostic methods and bacterial detection, including serological assays and bacterial culture, method development, experience of biological containment work.
* a willingness to work in containment facilities with dangerous pathogens.
* specialist knowledge and experience of biological containment work, preferably to ACDP3 or greater.
* experience of delivering quality accredited results.
* experience of working in a relevant diagnostic environment.
* experience of test troubleshooting, development and validation.
* good written and oral communication skills.
* A degree in Biological Sciences or related discipline.
Applicants must be currently resident in the UK and have at least three years continuous UK residency in order to start the mandatory Counter Terrorist Check security checks that is required to work at APHA Weybridge.
Qualifications
A degree in Biological Sciences or related discipline.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Working Together
* Making Effective Decisions
* Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* Give a clear, concise presentation.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £38,795, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £11,238 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 and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support as 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, a generous employer contributory pension (28.97%), staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time –if accumulated), three paid volunteering day per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site. Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.
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.
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
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment We recognise that AI may be helpful when applying for this role, but it is important to use it in the right way. Read our Artificial intelligence and recruitment, Civil Service Careers guidance on how to make the best use of AI while ensuring your application remains authentic and effective. Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV & personal statement.
Candidates are to give details within their personal statement, in no more than 500 words, of how they are suitable for the post by demonstrating the skills and experience they have from the information listed in the Job Description.
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 CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on your experience and behaviours. A presentation will also be assessed.
Your interview will either be conducted face to face. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
In the event of more than one candidate meeting the criteria we may maintain a reserve list should a similar role become available in the subsequent 12 months. Candidates who do not meet the criteria for appointment at the advertised Grade, but are considered a 'near miss', may be offered a similar post at a Grade lower than the advertised role should one become available.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)
Where the location is 'National' the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra's location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
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.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
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.
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.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe 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- 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.
The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government's response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least 3 years continuous UK residency. If you cannot meet this criteria CTC clearance will not be possible as this is part of pre-employment checks before taking up the post.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
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 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.
Working Pattern
This post is laboratory based and requires you to be working at the Weybridge site five days per week. This role is full time and based at the Weybridge site. 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. Salary will be pro-rata for job share.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check .
See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) 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 the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
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.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Andrew Taylor
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email:
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here