Location

The post is based at the APHA Weybridge site, although there will be some remote working at other APHA locations on occasion.  Allowances will be paid subject to eligibility criteria being met.

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 2,500 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for the benefit of the environment and economy.

The Science Directorate (SD) delivers nationally and internationally strategically impactful multidisciplinary science to the highest quality. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes. The Virology Department sits within the Science Directorate and has a mission to carry out strategic science underpinning threat mitigation and improved disease control for viral diseases of animals in the UK and at global scale. As Head of Virology you will lead a multidisciplinary team of over 100 scientific staff.

Job description

This is a rare and unique opportunity. As the Head of the Virology Department, you will be providing strong leadership, helping shape our future programmes and developing strategic partnerships both nationally and internationally to assure the provision of cutting edge science at pace to respond to increased threats to animal health and welfare.

Using strong managerial skills and specialist knowledge, the post holder will motivate, challenge, develop and support our cadre of highly skilled scientific staff. Ensuring operational delivery of our strategic science to budget and on time will be expected. You will be responsible for the planning and delivery of the work on Virology related science maintaining high integrity across our research, surveillance, diagnostics and development to high standards of quality and health and safety. Response and preparedness for national disease emergencies will be required whilst working flexibly to deliver business change, including through the Science Capability in Animal Health Programme.

Please see the job description attached for a full list of duties.

Person specification

Experience in developing and delivering complex science programmes at organisational, national and international scale as well as leading a large science team. A proven track record will be required in grant writing, high impact science communications evidenced through standard metrics and ability to influence upwards and across peers. You will need to demonstrate planning, organisation, delegation and prioritisation skills. Experience required in leading a team of multi-skilled staff across disciplines and growth of staff CPD. Demonstrable ability in development and maintenance of consistently high performing teams and individuals underpinned by fostering a climate of continuous improvement and learning for all will be expected.

You should have sound knowledge of Veterinary Virology and research applications/approaches including use of cutting edge technologies to strengthen and future-proof science. Critically a good understanding of biocontainment levels 2 and 3 working with a range of animal and zoonotic pathogens (including exotic to UK) is required, plus demonstrate a track record in safety management and performance. An ability to establish and work within an auditable framework of systems and procedures, including staff competence/training, research integrity, quality assurance/quality control standards and third party accreditation.

You must have good written and oral communication skills and be comfortable with communicating with people and groups at all levels with a range of scientific knowledge. The post holder needs the ability to remain calm under pressure, with strong inner resilience, be open to ideas and able to work collaboratively. Essential attributes are leadership/role model for EDI, the health, safety and well-being of staff and the ability to work flexibly out of hours. A PhD in virology or closely related discipline and other relevant post-graduate or management qualifications with a strong track record of delivering high impact science is required.

A valid full driving licence is necessary or access to an alternative means of transport. Flexibility to work out of hours is required.

Qualifications

A PhD in virology or closely related discipline

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Developing and leading large science consortia; In depth knowledge of Virological science and relationship with other disciplines; leadership and development of science teams; Health & Safety and Biocontainment of dangerous pathogens; change management; s

Benefits

In return for your dedication and hard work, 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. Our benefits include generous annual leave, flexible working, a contributory pension (A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%), staff financial rewards and  other modes of recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 1000 word personal statement, behaviour and technical statements.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

You will be required to give details in a 1000 word statement on how you meet the experience plus you will need to give details of how you meet the Technical Skills, and give an example of how you meet the Leadership behaviour in the application.

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview

Interview

If successful for an interview you will assessed against the Behaviours, Strengths, Experience, Technical Skills and be asked to give  presentation (no PowerPoint slides) Title: ‘How I will use my skills and experience to navigate challenges to the strategic growth and delivery of virological science.

There may also be an additional assessment given on the day. The interviews will be held face to face at APHA Weybridge, Woodham Lane, New Haw, Addlestone, KT15 3NB.

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.

The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Governments response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason, all post holders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Security Check (SC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. UK residency is required from 3 to 10 years depending on the level of Security. However, residency qualification maybe reduced for certain roles and will be considered on a case by case basis.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Salary

New entrants 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.

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.

Please note tests on this vacancy are timed, therefore if due to the need for a reasonable adjustment such as additional time contact us as below.

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 offenses. 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.

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

The successful candidate will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations and comply with health surveillance protocols.  This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge.  It will also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment. The post holder will need to wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required.

The work of the post can be physically demanding, and due to access requirements to biosecure areas (laboratory and animal facilities), individuals must be physically able.

Regular travel within the UK or overseas may be required.

Out of hours work may be required. When overtime or out-of-hours work is required, APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements.  You may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment.

Please refer to the Job Specification for further details. we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged

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 security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

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 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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).

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.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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 :Gemma Aliaj
• Email :gemma.aliaj@apha.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email :defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

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: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.ukIf you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission

Attachments

Viro HoD JD (docx, 68kB)

Please confirm closing dates at original source link and ensure you take note of appropriate time zones for position closing times.  Please note, Veterinarycareers.com.au takes no responsibility for closing dates or removal of job positions advertised.

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