Details
Reference number
424071
Salary
£59,900
Salary is pro-rata for part time.
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Grade 7
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
APHA – Science - 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
Weybridge
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. 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, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions. We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups. 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.
We are responsible for identifying, managing, and controlling incidents and outbreaks of endemic and exotic diseases and pests in animals, plants and bees, as well as carrying out research. We provide unique capabilities and an evidence base for UK Government, together with international reference centre responsibilities.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated leader and epidemiologist to join our Department of Epidemiological Sciences. Epidemiological Sciences is a nationally important, multidisciplinary department with expert skills in epidemiology, statistics, risk analysis, modelling and data science.
The successful applicant will play a critical role leading and generating evidence to help tackle the most pressing animal health problems in GB livestock including endemic and exotic disease threats but with a primary focus on bovine tuberculosis.
Job description
You will be a lead analytical epidemiologist in the Epidemiology workgroup in the Department of Epidemiological Science (DES), providing high quality epidemiological consultancy and analytical project leadership. Networking with your own and other disciplines to share expertise and building capability in other staff. Leading and co-ordinating epidemiology research projects and provision of advice within the epidemiology workgroup. Promoting APHA science and epidemiology at national and international meetings and conferences by presenting and publishing in reports and peer reviewed journals.
Providing national and international consultancy, collaborating within APHA and outside APHA on areas of expertise as required at meetings and conferences. To support and deputise for the Epidemiology workgroup leader as required in management and capability building activities.
Key areas of responsibility will include:
* Apply your expertise to the current national and international policymaking and disease control issues, undertaking epidemiological analysis where the level of complexity requires the highest level of relevant expertise and knowledge.
* Positively represent Epidemiology and APHA, though contribution and engagement with strategic TB working groups, programme boards and stakeholder groups, as required.
* Build and maintain your own specialist profile and expertise in analytical epidemiology including writing and presenting scientific material in national and international journals and at meetings.
* Be a key member of the DES science leadership team and deputise for workgroup leader and G6 leaders (such as Head of National TB Epidemiology or Head of Department) as required.
* Effectively build and maintain key relationships such as other DES epidemiologists, Epidemiology discipline champion, Lead Scientists, Advice services and Field epidemiology to ensure appropriate application of analytical epidemiology across the agency.
* Epidemiology project leadership. This includes project design, planning, functional management of all those working on the projects, prioritising tasks, reviewing progress and managing and monitoring the project budget and resource allocations, and identifying and establishing links with collaborators with appropriate expertise.
* Support other epidemiologists by providing analytical epidemiology discipline expertise and relevant policy awareness including peer-review and challenge of epidemiological sciences outputs e.g. publications & proposals to ensure scientific integrity/robustness.
* Promote interdisciplinary working and pursue the development of effective collaborations within APHA and with partner organisations as appropriate.
* Line manages other epidemiologists. Functional management, mentoring and development support to other staff as required by specific projects and capability building requirements.
* Provide analytical epidemiology support in outbreak response.
Person specification
Experience and skills:
You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience during the selection process:
* Experience of leading studies of quantitative science.
* Excellent data handling, analysis, and interpretation skills.
* Knowledge of GB livestock systems and endemic and exotic disease threats.
* A high level of competence in software packages for epidemiological analysis such as STATA or R
* Strong time management, interpersonal, influence and communication skills.
* Excellent scientific and technical writing skills.
* Experience of scientific publication and presentation.
* Competence with Microsoft Office products particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint is expected
* A relevant post-graduate qualification (such as master's or PhD) which includes epidemiology/related quantitative science, or equivalent from experience
Security clearance
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 three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.
Qualifications
First degree in science subject or related field
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Leadership
* Making Effective Decisions
* Communicating and Influencing
* Seeing the Big Picture
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Leadership
* Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* Technical oversight and management, as outlined in the Government Science & Engineering Career Framework We'll assess you against these technical competencies during the interview
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £59,900, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £17,353 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 as 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, a generous employer contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offeradditional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time –if accumulated), three paid volunteering days 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.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Application
You will be asked to complete a CV style application template and give a 500 word personal statement against the experience and skills detailed in the Person Specification in the advert. You will then be asked to give examples against the behaviours Leadership and Making Effective Decisions, in the Situation, Task, Action and Result (STAR) format.
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, Leadership. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to 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 behaviours listed below including skills and experience and technical oversight and management. In addition you will be asked to prepare an oral presentation of 10 minutes duration plus 5 minutes for Question & Answers which will also be assessed. The presentation brief will be provided at the time of the invitation to interview.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours:
* Leadership (application and interview)
* Making effective decisions (application and interview)
* Communicating and influencing (interview only)
* Seeing the big picture (interview only)
Technical(Government Science & Engineering Career Framework)
Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2)
Please refer to this document which will give you information about the Technical skills and experience required for this job. We'll assess you against these technical competencies in the GSE Framework during the interview.
Technical oversight and management
This identifies what questions need to be asked and designs effective epidemiological approaches or studies to address these. Provides clear scientific leadership to projects ensuring all team members have clarity on what is required of them and helping identify development opportunities for members of the team. Provides regular and consistent critical and technical oversight of these projects, ensuring integrity throughout. Arrives at clear and defensible conclusions, with outcomes expressed credibly and transparently.
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.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the Pay Band. Existing Civil Servants moving on level transfer will retain their current salary or move onto the pay range minimum, whichever is the higher. Staff moving on promotion will have their pay increased by 10% or move onto the pay range minimum, whichever is the higher. As a general rule allowances and supplements will not be recognised.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process, the successful candidate will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert (Weybridge). The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).
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 their contractual location but regular travel to APHA Weybridge will be expected. The post is full-time but we may consider two part-time staff if continuity can be arranged. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with the 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. Please take note that .
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
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.
Staff maybe required to work weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings in the event of an incident or disease outbreak. In the event of this you may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment. APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements.
Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident.
Periodic travel within the UK and EU will be required and this could include farm or abattoir visits as part of on-going research. The successful candidate may have to ensure that no contact is made with farmed animals for a period of 1-2 days or more before visiting livestock farms.
Some travel will be required to attend training courses and meetings. You must have a valid driving licence or be able to call upon suitable alternate means of transport.
The post will also require Health clearance.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Near miss
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
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 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- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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 applicant's section.
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.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page
Higher Security Clearance
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
All posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridge will require CTC clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
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.
Further information
Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance. This post also requires a Health Certificate.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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 : Jessica Parry
* 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