Inverness, Scotland, IV1 1SF : Ayr, Scotland, KA8 0BE

In their geographical area a VA(FD) will:

Provide tactical leadership and act as an authority on veterinary, and scientific matters for the investigation, management and control of significant animal-related risks; this includes representing APHA at meetings.

• Be responsible for ensuring effective knowledge exchange between business units so that data, information and intelligence is effectively shared for decision-making.

• Collaborate with senior vets and managers, ensuring that veterinary and technical activities are delivered in accordance with desired policy outcomes, business plans and performance targets, working with individuals and teams to identify efficiencies and deliver value for money.

• Be responsible for building effective relationships with important local stakeholders and partners to influence end-user behaviour regarding compliance with animal health and welfare legislation.

• Make or support decisions which require a deep understanding of veterinary public health, including risk-assessment and enforcement - typically cases which are not covered in instructions and require consultation with subject matter experts.

• Be responsible for quality assurance the work of field staff including evaluation of the veterinary and technical performance of OVs and contractors. Assurance includes oversight and evaluation of training, competence and compliance of staff, making recommendations for improvement.

• Coaching and mentoring colleagues, developing their knowledge and experience through a mix of theory, learning and practice, supporting managers to manage talent and advising managers on who is competent to undertake duties.

• Provide tactical veterinary leadership and direction for response to incidents and notifiable disease outbreaks including being available for deployment across GB.

• Supporting senior managers to deliver the APHA vision, contributing to the corporate leadership and acting as a role model to embed necessary performance improvements and culture changes.

• Be required to lead and contribute to national policy initiatives and reforms, undertaking lead roles on programme boards and working groups.

Title of Post Veterinary Adviser (Field Delivery) – VA(FD)
Grade Grade 7
Reports to Grade 6 Veterinary Lead (VL).

Job purpose
Working closely with VLs, VAs(FD) will functionally manage the veterinary team in their geographical area. The VA(FD) is both a tactical and an operational role requiring an individual who can provide credible veterinary leadership to develop and assure high performance in a geographically dispersed, multi-disciplinary team, both during and between exotic animal disease outbreaks. The VA(FD) is accountable for working with the VL and others to deliver operational excellence in veterinary service delivery, stakeholder engagement and customer service through the effective application, quality assurance and enforcement of veterinary public health policies and measures.

In their allocated geographical area of responsibility a VA(FD) will:

• Be accountable for providing tactical leadership and acting as an authority on veterinary, and scientific matters for the investigation, management and control of significant animal-related risks including representing APHA at local boards and meetings on request.

• Be responsible for ensuring effective knowledge exchange between business units and teams so that data, information and intelligence is effectively shared for decision-making and the giving of advice and knowledge gaps can be appropriately risk-assessed and addressed for continuous improvement and reporting as appropriate.

• Be responsible for working in collaboration with senior vets and operational managers to ensure that all veterinary and technical activities are delivered in accordance with desired policy outcomes, business plans and performance targets, working with individuals and teams to identify efficiencies and deliver best value for money services.

• Be responsible for building effective relationships with important local stakeholders and partners to influence end user behaviour regarding compliance with animal health and welfare legislation, policies, advice, guidance and instruction.

• Be responsible for making or having oversight of decisions which require a deep understanding of veterinary public health including risk assessment and enforcement. Typically cases which are not directly covered by the Operations Manual instructions and where consultation with subject matter experts is required.

• Be responsible for providing assurance of the quality of the work undertaken by field staff including evaluation of the veterinary and technical performance of Official Veterinarians and contractors as directed by the APHA central quality assurance units. Assurance will include oversight and evaluation of training, competence and compliance of staff, making recommendations for improvement as appropriate.

• Be responsible for coaching and mentoring colleagues to develop their knowledge and experience of veterinary public health through a blended mix of theory, learning and practice, supporting senior managers to proactively manage talent and advising operational managers as to who is competent to undertake specific duties during and between outbreaks.

• Provide tactical veterinary leadership and direction for response to incidents and or outbreaks of endemic or exotic notifiable disease including being available for deployment across GB.

• Be responsible for supporting senior managers to deliver the APHA vision by contributing to the corporate leadership of the Agency and acting as a role model to embed the necessary performance improvements and culture changes in their subject area of influence.

• Be required to lead and contribute to national policy initiatives and reforms, undertaking lead roles on programme boards and in project teams and working groups.

Important tasks
To carry out any duties commensurate with the grade and purpose of the post including, but not limited to, the following:

Leadership and managing change:
• To lead through tactical veterinary decision making, complex problem solving, risk analysis, case and incident management during and between incidents and disease outbreaks.
• To functionally manage a veterinary team, deputising for the VL as required,
• To provide veterinary evidence and advice to inform and if required manage business change programmes and continual improvements in service delivery, ensuring important internal and external stakeholders, identify with, and are engaged in any change process from the outset.
• To provide authoritative evidence and advice to customers, colleagues, partners and important stakeholders on matters relating to the delivery of animal health and welfare policies representing government and APHA with customers, partners and important stakeholders.
• To be responsible for instilling a safety culture, by embedding safe working practices, challenging violations, supporting all employees to be competent in safety matters and actively identifying solutions to address areas of concern.
• To build a culture of continuous learning, mentoring and improvement by developing and delivering direct and cascade training within your area of expertise, including where relevant support for veterinary education, extra mural studies and work placements.
• To champion consistent standards and a culture of continuous improvement in the quality of service delivery, undertaking witnessed inspections and supporting audit activities including the critical review and authorisation of individual’ s record of competence and re-validation assessments for permanent and non-permanent resource.
• To proactively manage talent by coaching and mentoring colleagues to deliver a high and improving performance through the development, provision and quality assurance of guidance, instructions and training material for permanent and non-permanent resource and be responsible for demonstrating ongoing performance improvements in these areas.

Resilience and risk management
• To be responsible for providing tactical veterinary leadership, decision making and direction for specified resource during incidents and in disease emergency situations, representing relevant administration (Defra, Scottish Government or Welsh Government) and APHA in dealings with local operational partners, important stakeholders and the media
• To ensure that veterinary and technical skills and experience of self and others are developed and maintained to undertake allocated roles during both business as usual and emergency activities and to ensure skills gaps within area of expertise are identified and steps taken to mitigate the risk.
• To analyse, define and manage the risks evaluating their likely impact on disease spread and its control and in conjunction with others ensure that the right people with the right skills are deployed appropriately and communicating successes, issues and risks to stakeholders..
• To develop an organisational perspective and expanding global awareness of relevant external factors, risks, emerging science and developments as they relate to veterinary public health and the delivery of organisational priorities.

Service delivery
• To be responsible for ensuring that veterinary and technical advice, decisions and actions are based on the best available evidence and delivered in accordance with standard protocols and ways of working supporting the VL to set and assure quality and safety standards.
• To provide direct support to veterinary staff managing case work, this will require field visits and my require taking on Lead V roles or supporting Lead Vets in subject areas, and when necessary, directly managing some complex and sensitive case work; this is expected to account for up to 20% of available time.,
• To be aware of the relevant constraints and risks within the political and legal landscapes and to consult and escalate as necessary.
• To undertake a lead role during Food and Veterinary Office Audits and official visits including responsibility for ensuring that required records of veterinary and technical actions and decisions have been captured and can be presented on request.
• To be responsible for championing efficiency and value for money initiatives and working with others to identify innovative delivery and resourcing solutions.
• To support the VL to operationalise policies including Operations Manual content and make progress towards achievement of accredited quality standards.
• To provide veterinary professional assurance for strong and effective contract management, driving value for money, working with others to monitor, evaluate and improve service delivery.
• To ensure the right standards of customer service are adhered to, including a focus on veterinary outcomes, turnaround times, quality products and customer centric delivery.
• To set up and assure standards for humane killing of animals in accordance with appropriate policies and legislation.
• To provide supervision for other veterinary roles including inspection, approval, audit, compliance and enforcement and should be able to carry out physical examinations of animals, premises, equipment and vehicles, in particular when a veterinary second opinion, consultation, veterinary risk assessment, certification or audit is required.
• To lead and take part in projects, groups, networks and fora that contribute to the APHA’s agreed programme of work and initiatives within area of expertise
• To provide leadership and quality assurance of compliance and enforcement activities, including the leadership and delivery of multiagency responses as appropriate and afterward undertaking, analysing and incorporating lessons learned.
• Application of legislation in line with policy and best regulatory practice, including EU law, UK implementing legislation, relevant international standards and additional requirements of the UK policy customer to positively influence behaviours while minimising burdens on industry.

• Stakeholder management
• To build effective relationships with policy customers, partners, important stakeholders and end user customers locally to support effective consultation, working with others and referral.
• To be proactive in delivering stakeholder engagement strategies , working with suppliers, private veterinarians, senior local farming and industry representatives seeking and acting on customer insight to inform and improve service delivery
• To ensure that APHA and wider government is appropriately and professionally represented at local and where applicable national level, negotiating and influencing to achieve agreed policy outcomes and organisational priorities.
• To build effective relationships with other government departments and local authorities to support working together across areas of joint responsibility and emergency response.
• To represent APHA, engaging with animal keepers, wider industry and partners to gather intelligence, educate and influence to improve the level of compliance and safe behaviour.

• Rotas:
• To take part in veterinary and where applicable management duty and out-of-hours rota(s), including nights, weekends and public holidays, to ensure provision of a 24 hour, 7 day capability to provide telephone advice and immediate response to incidents and emergencies as required by the business. An allowance is payable for this work.

• Important skills
• Comprehensive skills, knowledge and ability in multiple areas of veterinary public health.
• Visible, inspiring and engaging leadership, including leading people through change
• A tactical thinker with well-developed analytical and creative problem solving abilities.
• Tactical planning, development, prioritisation and implementation skills.
• Persuasive communication skills able to translate complex science into simple messages.
• An ability to coach and develop high performance in teams and individuals
• An ability to work with a network of customers, partners, industry and other stakeholders.
• Motivated, corporate, self-aware with high inner resilience and calm under pressure.
• Ability to set up and work within an auditable system of procedures and processes maintaining and assuring appropriate levels of quality assurance and quality control.
• Ability to innovate and work in a flexible and agile way, making use of modern technology
• For Welsh posts it is desirable to be able to show competent communication in Welsh.

Experience

Essential
• Proven track record of experience of tactical veterinary leadership, decision making in complex and sensitive case work and supporting less experienced veterinary surgeons.
• Proven track record in risk management.
• Desirable
• Experience of representing APHA, or another employer, with important customers, partners and stakeholders
• Experience of dealing with the media
• Qualifications

Essential
• Veterinary degree conferring eligibility to practice as a Member or Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
• Desirable
• Relevant post graduate qualifications are desirable (achieved or in progress)

Location
The post will be based at an APHA office but regular travel may be required across the rest of the GB as may periods of detached duty and overnight stays to meet business needs particularly during incidents and disease outbreak situations.

Responsibilities

• Comprehensive skills, knowledge and ability in multiple areas of veterinary public health.
• Visible, inspiring and engaging leadership, including leading people through change
• A tactical thinker with well-developed analytical and creative problem solving abilities.
• Tactical planning, development, prioritisation and implementation skills.
• Persuasive communication skills able to translate complex science into simple messages.
• An ability to coach and develop high performance in teams and individuals
• An ability to work with a network of customers, partners, industry and other stakeholders.
• Motivated, corporate, self-aware with high inner resilience and calm under pressure.
• Ability to set up and work within an auditable system of procedures and processes maintaining and assuring appropriate levels of quality assurance and quality control.
• Ability to innovate and work in a flexible and agile way, making use of modern technology

Full driving licence

A veterinary degree appropriate for enrolment with the Royal college of Veterinary Surgeons. Job holders must be members or fellows of the RCVS.

Candidates must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to enable effective communication about veterinary topics with customers and colleagues and meet one of the following:

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

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

• Veterinary knowledge relating to livestock production in UK and control of exotic and endemic notifiable animal diseases.

• Salary advances and salary sacrifice schemes (childcare vouchers and cycle to work scheme)
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
37 hour working week
25 days paid holiday, rising a day year for first five years up to 30, in addition to 9.5 public holidays
Competitive maternity and paternity leave

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Job contact : Name : Michael Park Email : Michael.Park@apha.gov.uk Telephone : 07785303451 Recruitment team : Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetofice.gov.uk