Details
Reference number
429105
Salary
£38,795
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
Higher Executive Officer
Contract type
Permanent
Business area
APHA – Science - Data Systems Group, Department of Epidemiological Sciences
Type of role
Information Technology
Science
Working pattern
Full-time, Job share
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
More than ever before the health of our environment, plants, animals and bees matters. Do you wish to be part of are part of an amazing, diverse team within the Data Systems Group (DSG)? You will be helping to make a difference to the UK and contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate disease in plants and animals.
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. DSG is a workgroup within the Department of Epidemiological Sciences. The group undertakes the data management function within the Department and for the Science Directorate. It has systems development, data management and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) capability. You will be managing and working within a small team, providing advanced data management support and therefore utilising your scientific understanding of surveillance and research data within the Agency. The outputs from this work will have major impacts on animal disease control in the UK and its consequences.
DSG has experience of the data associated with a wide range of animal health disease areas e.g. bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs) and liaises widely with Epidemiologists, Modellers and Statisticians both internally and externally (e.g. University research groups) over their analysis requirements.
Job description
You will be liaising with external and internal data source providers, interrogating data on various data systems and working with the relevant data teams extract data for analysis purposes and develop and enhance IT systems in line with various Defra-APHA-wide IT initiatives.
* The extraction of data from existing databases for a wide variety of stakeholders (both internal and external). Ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of data requests either directly to the requestor or to other APHA analysts.
* Disease data curation – This will involve assisting with the process by which Epidemiological data are created and updated and ensuring data quality. Identifying and implementing areas for improvement, particularly regarding performance.
* Liaising with Stakeholders, both internal and external, over their specific data requests. Ensuring that all individual requests conform to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
* The provision of consultancy to stakeholders regarding disease data – primarily TSE and bTB.
* The development and delivery of data capture solutions for new data and the enhancement of existing systems. This will involve utilising specialist development, extraction and analysis of software. Solutions should ensure all aspects of data quality are maximised and be accompanied by appropriate documentation.
* Involvement in the wider initiatives that will impact on data systems e.g. contributing to the APHA response to the Livestock Information Project (LIP) and consequently making adaptations to DSG systems required as a result of the LIP development.
* The involvement in major IT infrastructure changes which will impact the team's ability to deliver their goals.
* Proactively adopting innovative technologies consistent with the departmental policies to drive efficiency, reduce manual workload, and support continuous improvement.
Responsibilities include:
* Line management of staff within the team.
* Successful delivery of scientific data-based tasks/projects.
* Reporting project outputs such as routine reports, data requests, oral presentations at meetings, provision of data for publication purposes and providing updates to various stakeholders.
* Management of related data systems and supporting documentation.
* Utilising your strong interpersonal skills, to establish good working relationships with colleagues, internal and external customers, and wider stakeholders.
* A good understanding and application of GDPR and data confidentiality.
* Communicate the outputs of your work via excellent written and oral communication skills.
Person specification
Experience and Essential Skills:
You will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience during the selection process:
* Experience of interrogating large complex data systems using modern reporting tools.
* Experience of data validation and data quality assurance processes.
* Experience of communicating scientific/technical outputs to customers, stakeholders and colleagues with variable technical expertise.
* Competent using MS SQL, MS Access, and MS Office 365 applications.
* Data management qualifications or equivalent 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
A Scientific or IT degree and extensive experience working in a scientific data-related environment is required.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Managing a Quality Service
* Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* "We require you to have an understanding and experience of data handling and extraction from large data systems through platforms such as SQL and MS Access and can demonstrate this, essentially in the context of a scientific environment.
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 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 a Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%, 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.
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
You will be asked to complete a CV style application template, give a 500-word personal statement against the experience and skills in the job description and provide evidence of the Managing a Quality Service behaviour in your application using the Situation, Task, Action and Results (STAR) format. This vacancy is using Success Profiles )
Sift
At sift, we will be looking for examples demonstrated in the CV and Personal statement for technical ability and essential skills and experience. In the event of a very high number of applicants an initial sift on the Managing a Quality Service behaviour will be carried out. 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 selected for interview you will be assessed against:
* Experience and Essential Skills.
* Technical ability.
If successful at application stage, you will be asked to prepare an oral presentation of 10 minutes duration plus 5 minutes for Q&A which will also be assessed. The presentation brief will be provided a week before the interview.
Behaviours:
We will assess you against these behaviours, please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of behaviours in your application form and at the interview.
Managing a Quality Service (assessed at application and interview)
You will develop, implement, maintain, and review systems and services to ensure consistent high-quality delivery. You will work closely with stakeholders to define requirements, set expectations, and review outputs to ensure deliverables are produced in a timely manner and meet both stakeholder and organisational needs. You will consider and action feedback as necessary to ensure fit-for-purpose, high-quality outcomes are maintained.
Delivering at Pace (assessed at interview only)
You will ensure priority activity is completed to a high standard (quality assurance and accuracy) even where there are conflicting demands and problems to be overcome. Evidence of effective planning and delivery while working on multiple projects, both individually and within a team, is essential.
Technical Skills:
Applying tecnical knowledge – "We require you to have an understanding and experience of data handling and extraction from large data systems through platforms such as SQL and MS Access and can demonstrate this, essentially in the context of a scientific environment.
Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment
Artificial Intehlligence 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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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 but regular travel to Weybridge will be expected. 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.
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.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 : Jon Ellerbeck
* 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