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Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
The purpose of this job is to support the work undertaken by the APHA’s FAO Reference Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance in building capacity and generating quality AMR data, focusing on our programmes in West Africa.
The post holder will lead and manage a variety of tasks including: scoping and partner needs assessments; development of delivery plans; laboratory-based bacteriology project work; and regular project monitoring & reporting.
The post holder will also develop training materials and deliver training in subject areas than can include: bacterial isolation and identification; antimicrobial susceptibility testing; laboratory quality management systems; and surveillance for bacterial pathogens and AMR. This training will be delivered at APHA facilities and at the facilities of our partners abroad.
Close cooperation with our collaborators at the FAO and at the institutes we work with in West Africa will be required. The establishment and maintenance of successful relationships with these partners abroad is an important component of this role. Close cooperation with our AMR reference centre colleagues at Cefas and VMD is also expected.
The postholder will be able to communicate with colleagues and stakeholders with clear purpose in a straightforward, honest, and respectful manner, taking into consideration the diversity of interests of our stakeholders.
The role requires travel within the UK and abroad, including to countries in West Africa and other locations where facilities may be basic. The post holder may be required to contribute to laboratory work, field-based work, and sample collection.
Job description
- Lead scientific and management aspects of project work to ensure delivery to project milestones.
- Liaise and collaborate with APHA colleagues, members of the AMR reference centre at Cefas and VMD, and collaborators at external organisations, such as the FAO and partners supported through the AMR reference centre.
- Maintain regular communications and project monitoring with our funders, partners, and collaborators.
- Engage with stakeholders supported by the AMR Reference Centre through meetings, training courses, and project work.
- Develop teaching and reference materials for use by the AMR reference centre such as Standard Operating Procedures, training documentation, guidance for quality management systems, and proficiency testing schemes.
- Develop and deliver training packages to visitors, students, and stakeholders supported by the AMR Reference Centre through a diversity of approaches (e.g. remotely via MS teams or similar; in person with individuals or groups) in subjects such as bacterial isolation & identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, laboratory quality management systems, and surveillance for bacterial pathogens and AMR. Training activities may be undertaken in APHA laboratories and outside the UK in laboratories of partners supported by the reference centre.
- Undertake country/regional visits to meet partners, undertake needs assessments, and develop capacity for surveillance and monitoring of AMR.
- This job will require regular foreign travel, for short term visits (typically 1 week, but potentially longer), particularly in locations where facilities may be basic.
- Undertake laboratory work, such as classical microbiology and genotypic & phenotypic testing of bacteria of public and veterinary health importance using a variety of methods (g. PCR, whole genome sequencing, susceptibility testing by disc diffusion and MIC determination). Develop and apply molecular and phenotypic techniques to support the AMR reference centre and the wider activities undertaken within the Department of Bacteriology. Deliver high quality laboratory investigations and work.
- To develop own expertise and provide consultancy to stakeholders supported by the AMR Reference Centre.
- Undertake computerised analysis of high-throughput sequencing data.
- Draft reports and publications with details of investigations and activities in support of the reference centre programmes.
- Contribute to the dissemination of research results through scientific publications and presentations at conferences.
- Supervise and train students and visitors to the AMR reference centre.
- To read, understand and implement responsibilities as stated in the current live version of the APHA Health & Safety policy.
- Maintain working environment safety regulations and quality systems including ISO9001:2015 and ISO17025:2005 as required. Personal safety and biosecurity are very important and must be rigorously risk assessed and controls introduced particularly when working abroad.
- To assist with the collection of samples from farm premises, feed mills, abattoirs and hatcheries. These activities may be undertaken in countries supported by the reference centre.
- Duties may include laboratory manager responsibilities
Person specification
You will need to demonstrate the following:
- Working in a microbiology laboratory performing phenotypic and molecular tests such as: bacterial isolation and identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, PCR, and whole genome sequencing.
- Provision of training to others in laboratory techniques.
- Management and delivery of scientific research projects.
- Writing project reports and scientific publications.
- Evidence of collaborative scientific
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Give a good, clear presentation.
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, a Behaviour and a personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
For the personal statement, please write up to 500 words demonstrating how you meet the required skills and experience for this role.
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.
Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours, Technical skills, and your experience.
A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
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.
As part of the pre-employment process, 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.
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.
Near miss
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in APHA which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
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.
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 or Disclosure Scotland 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
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.
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. 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.
Loan and Fixed Term Appointments
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
This fixed term appointment post is time limited due to a fixed funding period or as part of a specific project. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires. This fixed term appointment post ends in March 2026.
NSV
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
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.
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 at 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 CTC residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have a minimum of 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.
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
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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) (opens in a new window)
- 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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If 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.
